Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-05-23
Monday, May %, 1870.

We have 10 hesitation IN saying that our
Farmers ore the worst used, most oppressed
class Of peopleiu the whole couutry-wem might
say. in any civilized country. Being at the
base Of all the production, the foundation Of
mn the wealth Of the United States, the pre-
sumption would be that care ought to be taken
20 foster. TO the utmost, AgricTluralproducers.
20 relieve them from vexatious impOsts, 70 en-
Geavor to afford market facilities for their pro-
ducts and, as much as possible, to assist them
in making two blades Of grass grow where
only one grew before BY SO doing, not only
Farmers would be benefited but beginning
with them. the influence would be felt in all
branches Of trade and commerce. from the Ia
borer holding the handles Of a cheap, untaSed
plough, to the merchant sendiug clrsoes, once
more in American vessels, assisting to spread
our name and fame through all the earth
With proper revision Of our Internal Revenue
and Tariff Laws we eau uudersell all the world
in staple agricultural productions. We could
have low frcights, decreased cost Of production
increased amount Of products, lower prices for
an articles Of consumption, and large gains %
the Farmer. and through him to the whole
country. How is it now The whole Tax
and Revenue Laws seem carefully made for
the express purpose Of forcing the agricultu-
raj interest TO bear all the burdens and pay all
the expenses Of the Goverumeut-it now does
so undoubtedly. The Merchant, ManuActu-
rcr and Laborer. when taxed, throw the bur
den on the consumer. liza Rail Road Compa-
nv is taxed ten per cent the freight is raised in
proportion. and the Farmer has to pay more
10 get his grain to market, but the Company
loses nothing. If Iron is taxed and protected
fifty per cent. the Farmer has to pay increased
prices for all his agricultural implements, but
the Manufacturer loses nothing. When, how
ever, the Farmers time for production and sale
comes. he has. and can have no one on whom
70 throw the burdeu-it stops there. The
price Of his commodities is governed by the
price Of the market Of the World. which no
Tariff can affect. lie sows, and plants and
rcaps, trusting to God for the increase. It
may be his crops prosper it may be they fail,
but in either case, be has no one to bolster him
up or TO relieve him from the heavy burden Of
Taxation. aud increased-unuecessarily in
creased-cost ofevcry purchase he has to make,
What is the remedy It is easy. More
than one bllfof the Voters Of the United States
are engaged 10 Agriculture United their
power Is irresistible. Ietthem use their power,
aud resolve to vote for no man for Congress
WHO'S not pledged to do all he can to put down
allNouopolies, auj. so-callej. Protection, whcth-
erof Iron, Coal, Salt orany otber artjcleof prime
necessity. The Farmer has to sell ais Wheat
Cotton, Corn or Tobacco Tor what II is worth in
the Worlds market Let the Manufacture
do the sane. With such equality, aud with
the privilege Of buying in the cheapest and
selling in the dearc.t market" the Farmer viii
be satisfied, he can then, by bis own honest
labor, live an independent, thriving life As
it's now, through the effect Of oppressive tax
alton. unjust m5nop5Hcs, and adverse legisla-
ton. in spite Of all his eXertion, he is, slowly
It may be. but surely tending to poverty.