The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-08-04
The South and the Tariff.

The South, in five years, will as strongly
favor protection to Home Industries, as the
New England States and Pennsylvania
have ever done. The planting and agricul-
tural era, as the paramount industries, is
of the past. The near future is to be man
ufacturing experience for the Southern
section of the Union. The cotton, the
wool, the timber and the iron exist in great
err abundance than in any other portion
of the Union-the cotton an exclusive
product of the Southern climate. The
water power is unsurpassed, and the
means of access to the markets of the
world, from the most obscure and remote
localities, are now in process OF construc-
ton. This means revolution-nOt only in
dustrial but political. We have noted else
where the important fact that. by estima-
ton, at least one hundred millions of
Northern and European money have been
invested in Southern railroads and other
properties. This is but the beginning. The
greatest manufacturing enterprises OF the
world will find their seat in the South. In
every State of the South, from the Gulf to
the Potomac, and in every district of each
State the tariff question will become the
controlling issue in political contests. 1t
requires no unusual amount of sagacity to
foretell tn result. Parties and ideas are
supported, as they contribute to good gov
eminent and National, State and individ-
ual prosperity. AS pursuits, occupations.
and methods of material activity, change,
the policies Of government as they affect
these avocations change. The doctrine OF
free trade, or tariff for revenue only,
trial usages of the South. will give way to
the principle of protection, which will not
only operate to the benefit of the worker OF
the soil, but to the manufacturer OF cotton,
wooden, wooden and iron fabrics. The
workers in the factories will consume the
products of the workers of the soil. and
vice versa, to some degree. The results of
the products of each will, by mutual ex-
change, be kept at home, to the amount OF
local demand, to create new values, and add
to existing wealth.
The South, in short, is to become manu-
featuring and protective tariff section. and
by reason of this Republican in sentiment
and practice. The forces now at work will
bring about this result.
What is the duty of the Republicans of
the South, with this promise before them
promise, by logical process, certain
to be realized, if we adhere to our princi-
pies? We must stand to our principles,
without compromise. We must justify the
confidence of the country in our sincerity
by standing firm to the integrity of the gov
eminent and the State. The same man ifes-
tation of devotion to State honor and re-
spect for State obligations must be given,
as have been shown by the Republican par
ty Of the country for national honor and
national obligations. The prosperity of the
whole country is due to this. The applica-
ton Of the same principles in each State will
furnish like results.
No State in the Union is more directly
interested in these facts than Virginia.
The mineral wealth, now in the infancy Of
its development, will draw the capital an d
the manufacturing industries. and they will
demand the protective system. The good
name of the State should be kept free from
the tarnish of reputation and infidelity to
public pledges. The Republican party Of
the State can do this, if it will only be true
to the principles which are cardinal with
the national party. We will then have a
position and foundation for growth and
power. If we surrender our principles and
organization to the greed of few office
seekers and demagogues, all will be lost and
the pernicieus rule of the Democratic party
nernetuated for an indefinite time