Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1857-06-13
Democratic state Nominations.
The Crops.-High Prices.

The Crops.-High Prices.
We are now enjoying the most delightful
and refreshing weather, All nature smiles,
and everything around us augurs plonti-
ful harvest--well, ll,Glled barns and overflow
ing granaries, from present appearances,
will reward the tller of the soil for his
labor. A month since, and news from all
quarters, of damage to the growing crops
= by the severe cold weather, filled many
with alarm. But the scene has changed.
Now our exchanges bring us tidings of
splendid crops-they tell us that the pros
pect Of boun iful harvest was never so
encouraging-thato over the land the angel
of plenty has spared her broad wings, and
from East to West, form North to South,
come cheering accounts OF glorious
harvest. In our immediate neighborhood,
we have seldom seen a more healthCul
condition manifested in the growing crops,
Within few weeks, the dreary waste of
winter has given place to tho beautiful
spring, and now as the summer comes upon
us laden with delightful fragrance VIC are
reioiced to learn that the croakers who
have been busy promulgating highly cclorcd
reports of the damage doue by the unfa-
vorable weather, &C., are about TO be
deceived. From present appearances our
farmers will be well repaid for their labor,
and the enormous yield fOreshadowed, will
we hope, be the means of reducing the
prices of provisions, which are now at
exceedingly high figures. The greatly
enhanced prices of all the necessities of
life, fall oppressively, net only upon that
class of people usually denominated poor,
but upon those who have stoady.employment
and good wages. Much suffering and
many privations have been endured by
thousands, who, until the last winter, have
never experiencedsthe effect of want. And
yet the crops of last season were abundant,
aud farmers from every quarter were solici-
ting help sufficient 10 enable them to harvest
their produce. II, therefore, this be true
of the past year, have VIC not reason to hope
that season of plenty will bring about a
reduction Of the prices of provisions? II
the general speculations upon this point be
correct, we may safely hope for some
moderation but if they be erroneous, then,
in all probability, the high prices will con-
tinue unabatod. The farmers have been
charged with being the sole cause of the
continued exhorbitant prices. But then it
has never been shown that any combination
existing among them, in order to perpetuate
this condition Of things and'without some
concert of action no uniformity Of prices |
could be maintained. Farmers, like every |
other class of traders or producers, always
regulate their prices according to the de-
mand and so long as farming produce
continues in great demand, thus long will
high prices continue. Again the fault
has been charged to the account of specu-
iat,rs or "middle men," This might, for
2 short time, under some circumstances, be
the cause; but it could not continue for
any great length Of time. That speculation
which buys up and witholds any plentiful
article from the public, for the sake of
exacting oppressive prices, is like daming
up rushing stream, to keep its waters
from entering the great river. 1t may
answer for a short time, but no barrier can
be strong enough to withhold the accumu-
lated weight of waters they will soon
break through and recover their wonted
level. The great difficulty we think, is
neither with the farmer nor the speculator,
but is the result of an entirely different
cause. The statistics of our country will
show that every year, the proportion of
consumers Of agricultural products is |
growing greater than the portion of produ-
GERS. Hence, as this continues, the demand |
must increase, and the farmers be unable |
to meet that demand, With this inability,
prices will naturally ascend, for the people
must have provision no matter how great
the cost. We want more farmers. There
are millions Of acres of ground through the
country which nigh. be placed under pro-
fitsble cultivation and until this is done
We need expect no permanent reduction Of
prices.
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