The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1882-03-03

industries and leave us, in case we
were to eeome involved in war
with European nations, completely
at the mercy of those countries on
which we would depend for the
manufacture necessities of life. We
would thus become an easy prey to
the cupidity and ambition of the
governments of the old world.
1t was to the fact that the North
was IA manufacturing community,
more than to any other circum stance
under Heaven, that we succeeded in
conque,ing the rebellion. Had the
South been able to manufacture her
munitions of war clothing, agricul-
tural implements etc. we never could
have conquered her on earth. As it
was however, she had to import the
very buttons her soldiers wore on
their clothes.
1t is claimed by the advocates of
free trade that clothing and all
manufactured articles would be
cheaper if the tariff was removed.
We do not believe the difference in
price would be appreciable. AT all
events we think reduction in prices
would only be carried to such an
extent as TO render manufacturing
in this country Improbable. Prices
wonld then be very nearly as high
as at present.
There are other reasons however,
why We should not abandon our
manufacturing interests. The produ
GERS Of wealth in any country may
be divided into two classes, viz; first
those who produce fool and raw
material for the mechanical and man.
ufacturing arts; second, those who
use the raw material produced by
the first class, as basis on which to
expend their skill and taste in the
manufacture Of articles for the pleas
ure and comfort Of mankind. The
manufacturer is as much producer
of wealth as the farmer, the miner, or
the stock raiser. The manufacturer
produces mechanical wea!t' the 9th
ers natural wealth. The price of the
steel out Of which surgica | instru-
ment is made is worth ten cents; the
instrument Itself is worth ter dollars.
The farmer raises q pound of cotton
worth 20 cents; the manufacturer by
bis skill and taste, makes out Of it a
yard of cloth worth two dollars.
Both have produced wealth; one
natural, the other mechanical wealth.
The pressing need Of Oregon to-day,
is not to Danish what little manufac-
turing we have from our borders
but to increase it a thousand fold.
Our state abounds in mineral wea tn
and in the raw material for almost
every kind of manufacturing AMI
industry, and her water
poweris perhaps unsurpassed by that
Of any state in the union.
Her looms and spindlcs and anvils
and engines should be heard in every
village and on every hillside. The
would then be susceptible of
l dense population and The farmer
would find ready market fo. the
products of his labor at his very
loor. The industrious citizen could
hen find remuncrative employment
he year round. We would no
ongcr need 10 import all manufac.
ured articles from other states or
countries, but we would buy them Of
'ur neighbor and the money paid for
hem, would not leave the STATE as
low, never to return, but it would
emain in circulation among the peo
Die.
Our children then, during the in
clement weather when outdoor work |
IN the tarm is impossible, could find !
profitable employment in the fac
.ories and work shops, where, in
stead of hanging about saloons and
lens of idleness and vice, they could
De contracting habits of industry and
'obriety and acquiring such technic-
Il skill of mechanical and manufact-
uring industry as would inure to
their advantage IN their tussle for
the necessities and Injuries of life,