The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-12-27
The Right Policy for the South.

eliC 1lOuot Vi REPRESENTATIVES,, iilu
the influences which accomplished it,
force into prominence the issue of Free
Trade on the Democratic side, and Pro-
lection on the Republican side, in the
Presidential contect of 1884. The Demo-
cratic majority may deal with the ques-
ton as it pleases during the present Con-
gress, and may formulate whatever re-
solve it may desire for the national plat
form Of next year. yet it cannot keep down
the tariff issue, nor escape from its record
as comprehended in the votes and speeches
of Mr.. Carlisle on this subject, and the
outgiyings Of the Democratic party from
1882 to the present. 1t is. to all intents
and purposes. Free Trade party, and
with the national government under its
control, in the Legislative and Executive
Departments, it would as certainly inau-
gurate a Free Trade policy as effect fol-
lows cause. They may simulate conserva-
tism on the question during the canvass for
President, and may protest ever so loudly
that it is not the purpose Of that party
to disturb business interests, but this
will only be for the purpose of deluding
the people and getting power. Once in
the mastery, the Free Trade influence
which elected Carlisle and has made Nor
rison, Tucker, Hurd and their ,sympathi-
zers, the controlling spirits in the present
Congress, would assert itself in admins
frotiuo N, 90 c,1roc o,,d ,,o1iov ond work ont
it's logical results.
1t is not necessary to discuss the subject
in the abstract, to point out the harmful
effects which would be certain to come to
the South from the success of the Demo-
cratic party. 1t is enough to call atten-
tion to practical facts, as they exist in the
South, as the result of the present tariff
policy, to show that the South's highest
and dearest interests, are opposed to the
Carlisle influence and policy. Had it not
been for the protective tariff laws, it is
safe to say, there would not have been a
mile of railroad constructed in the South
since the war. There would not be dol
lar of Northern capital invested in the
minerals and manufactures of this sec
ton. There would not be an iron furnace
in blast OF cotton factory in operation
south of the Potomac, but for the fact that
the administrative policy of the Republi-
can party has protected the skill and en-
terprise of this country from the pauper
labor of Europe. The Chesapeake and
Ohio railroad would still have its termi-
nus at Clifton Forge, and this great
national thoroughfare, with its combina-
tions ramifying all through the South and
reaching TO the Pacific coast, linking
together the two oceans, would not
have been seriously thought Of. The Val
| ley railroad would never have been pro-
| iected the Shenandoah Valley railroad
traversing the State from its northern td
its southern extremity, and exposing the
| finest mineral belt on the continent. would
never have been dreamed of. The sites OF
busy industries extending from StauntOr
/ to the Ohio River-making almost one
continuous scene of industrial activities
building up towns in the forests and Oh
the mountain slopes, and converting waste
places into thriving communities, expos
ing mineral riches beyond computation
and utilizing forests and streams, would
not now excite the wonder and stir the en-.
| ergies of the people who contemplate them
and compare them with the condi-
lions that preceded, were it not that the
legislation of Congress, under the Repub.
| lican party, from 1851 to this time, has
been in the interest of home labor and
home manufactures.
J Not only throughout every portion OF
Virginia are the benefits of the protective
olicy made apparent in the railroads con-
structed since 1865, the factories and fur
naces established, the mines opened. and
the agricultural advancement assured, but
throughout the entire South the wonderful
march of improvement testifes to the
forced by the Republicans, land protested by
the Democrats, and which irresistibly APP
peals to the judgment of all intelligent, en-
lightened men. The cotton and iron in
dustrles Of North and South Carolina,
Georgia. Alabama, Mississippi-the in
creasing wealth and prosperity of the
whole South, responding to the railroads
that have been constructed through
Northern enterprise and capital. Joined to
those of our own section, are directly the
results of the tariff policy of the govern
ment, as it now exists.
1t requires no refining theories and hair
splitting metaphysics to understand such
practical results as confront us at every
turn from the. Potomac to the Gulf, and
owing their existence to but one primary
source, and that the protection laws of the
government. Are the people of Virginia
and the South prepared to change this pol
an uncertainty I? Are they willing to vote
to discard system of laws which has
produced that which their eyes see, inur-
ing to their wealth and progress, and &C
cept a party, and measures inseparably
identified with that party, which in the
past have operated so disastrously to the
commerce, the industries, the progress and
prosperity of the whole country and the
credit of the government
Let them remember that we are not
now the slaves of the slave system of la
bor--that our interests do not exclusively
lie i'll agricultural pursuits-but that we
are reaching out for higher things-for
the results of free labor, skilled enterprise
and diversified industries. and that unless
we adhere to the administrative policies
which are in harmony with the new condi-
dition of things, the new national birth,
and realize the fact that old methods
must go with the old system Of labor, we
cannot attain to that propitious destiny that
awaits us, by reason of natural advantages
and resources.
The Democratic party is substantially
for Free Trade, which has it's history re-
corded in the periods of the country when
that policy prevailed, and was marked by
Frustrated industries, restricted commerce,
enfeebled national life, and demoralized
public credit. The Republican party is
identified with the Protective Tariff sys-
TEN, which has lifted the nation out of
disastrous environments and difficulties,
given encouragement to workshops and
factories and furnaces, a home market for
home products, yigor and independence to
national existence, ramifed and spanned
l..