The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-10-17

ufacturers Just ttartine IA osA0aooo w eo'"Po's'
ON something like fair terms, with foreigners.
II the free traders are in the right when they
call the protection afforded by the tariff wick
ed fostering of monopolies they cannot hold
that II is immoral to take advantage OF the
tariff while il is still law. Both parties agree
even il II ia claimed that there is no gram in
the policy OF protection, that as long as it Is
the policy manufacturers derive an advantage
from it.
The tariff is quite as much for the west as
for the east. The growth OF our manufactures
does no more than keep pace with our growing
need of goods. Why should all the increase
be made at the east !? Some will ray, because
nature has intended the seaboard states to be
manufacturing states and the west for farming
Bosh! II the census speaks truly, the manu-
features of Illinois give larger percentage Of
profit on capital invested than do those Of
Massachusetts,, which is sufficient answer to
those who theorize on the designs OF nature.
! Ten years ago the same people would have said
that nature designed that California should
live by gold mines alone Now she claims the
seventh place among the VIII eat-growing states,
and will stand first in the census Of 1880. We
cannot tell what are natures intentions until
We try her. Nature intends whatever it turns
out that she does. AS far a. the western states
have tested their aptitude for manufactures,
they have not met with the failure that would
indicate dispieasure on the part Of dame nature.
If we are on the right track for solution Of
this great problem of the west. two questions
will naturally arise What shall we make ? and,
where shall we get the apitai to begin with
To the first question we answer, everything
that is needed far.mans use. Why should the
seven western states we have named send to
New England the wool from their five million
sheep and buy il back again in a manufactured
form when they have already demonstrated
their ability 20 engage in the business OF max
ing WOODEN goods prodtably? Why should Hi
nos allow Massachusetts 10 be her superior il
the manufacture of soap and candles, when the
raw materials are so abundant and close at
hand There is no reason why all the states
named should not be able to make ANYTHING in
the shape OF textiles, wooden, metal and leather
ware as cheapy and as well as the same things
are made in New England and the middle sea.
board states.
In many parts OF these states, we shall be
told, there is no water power, coal is high, aud
wood for fuel there lie none. Burn corn then
We occasionally find the fact that corn has been
burned for fuel in Iowa, mentioned as 4 most
lamentable fact. We cannot so regard it. There
is perhaps no vegetable product more admirably
adapted for fuel and there is certainly no way
of obtaining so large an amount Of excellent
fuel from given acreage so quickly as by SOW
ing It TO corn. 1t has higher use to be sure,
but there is nothing in it's nature that renders
il sacrellgious to burn it If it can be so employ
ed to the best profit. II such principle were
to prevail there would be an end to digging
clans Tor bait IN order 70 catch FISH for their
oil. In the east we use black walnut for orna-
me4tal cabinet work. 1t should be outrageous
to split 1t up for frewood at the west. And
society should be organized to put a stop to
the practice Of Texan drovers OF killing cattle
for then hides and leaving the carcasses to rot.
a. for the capital that viii not be lacking
when once the western people resolve on en-
gaging in manufactures. The eastern states
believe In the future OF the west. They have
sent there some Of the best OF their citizens
they have invested there millions OF their
money. They have the same faith to-day. No
well-coasidered and reasonably promising OPP
portunty for investment In new industrial en-
terpriscs will be neglected. 1t NAV even tie
hoped that eastern manufacturers, 30 far from
being jealous, or fearful that their monopoly
may be taken away from them, will themselves
aid in establishing new industries on the lakes
and the western rivers. At any rate. there
need DO no fears Of opposition until the matter
has been tested, And with or without protec-
ton, the west possesses one advantage Tor
manufacturing over the east, arising from the
very state OF things CT which the western
farmers are now complaining, namely, cheap
food, rendering lower wages practicable and
reducing by legitimate means the cost of that
very important element, labor.
We shall at least be supported in our view
that the prime difficulty IL the one-side dness OF
western industry, aud that the real remedy is
in the multiplication of industrial pursuits, TO
tnlb cANoubi tudI III ali men OF prhctcalIy all
were not producers OF surplus of food there
would DO larger market at home, and the
procurement of cheap gram would become the
problem for consumers ut distance instead
OF it, being puzzle for the producer how he
may give il TO them and that the establish
ment of manufactures would bring into the
community the throng OF consumers CO food
needed for the purpose The single remaining
question is, whether manufactures may be
probably introduced. 1t is not conclusive
against this plan TO say that agriculture is the
natural business Of the weet. but il needs 10
be shown that manufacturing must be unproGt.
ab.e and therefore unnatural
Against this view OF the necessities and tho
opportunity of tue west will be arrayed, FIRST,
those. undoubtedly few in numbers who are
actuated 10y motives OF revenge against th g
railroad corporations for real or supposed
wroog scoo4.1..y, ,ne more radical and honest
y earnest free-traders who have perceived in
the farmers movement a means of advancing
theif favorlte theories thirdly, the political
adventurous who scent out an opportunity for
themselves, who desire that .he antagonsm