The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-02-15
The Tariff Middle.

cussing one formulated by the Ways and |
Means Committee, neither of which will |
be acceptable 30 both bodies. Whether
there will be sagacity and patriotism enough |
to accept the report of the Tar itf Commits
sion as favorable solution of the difficulty |
cannot now be determi ned, but the proba.
bility is there will not. The Tariff Com
mission was the result of the conviction |
that diversified views arising from diverse
interests and local prejudices, could not be
reconciled upon the floor of Congress,
where each member is ambitious to epgraft
his peculiar notions and maintain his polit-
ical economic theory in any measure that
might be- formulated. A commission,
therefore, Of experts, men who. from prac-
teal experience and especial study, selected
from the different sections Of the country,
representing both political parties,
and well qualified for the duties imposed,
was created, with view to presenting q
bill which would embody fair and equita-
BILE compromise of apparently conflicting
interests. The work of the Commission
was worthy of the motive which created
it. and received the approval, as whole. OF
the best thinkers and the most enlarged
craftsmanship of the nation. 1t should
have been accepted by Congress, and what
ever defects might have been discovered, in
its practical operation, could have been
speedily and satisfactorily adjusted by fu-
ture legislation.
+ But this did not suit the purposes of the
doctr1naires and refining theorists who are
incapable of taking broad national view
OF public questions. The same difficulties
which we're encountered in past efforts to
frame tariff bills and which instigated the
formation of the Tariff Comm ission, have
been revived and aggravated in the con-
sideration of the subject during the winter,
with the prospect that the whole question
will be left where it was when the Tariff
Comm ISIS ion was created. The primary
object of that Commission was to revise the
tariff laws-to equalize the duties they i'm
poses, without disturbing the industries of
the country,or crppling the growing manu-
featuring pursuits, which have added so
much to the prosperity Of every section of
the Union. Under the protective pol
icy, every interest of the Nation has
prospered. 1t has proved itself to be en-
phatically an American policy, such as
Henry Clay denominated it many years
ago. Agriculture has been blessed with
rewards never realized before; railways
have been constructed internal trade en-
larged and encouraged !; dead wealth con-
verified into active values the national debt
| reduced the credit of the government ad-
vanced to the forefront of nations, and
American labor kept employed at remuner-
| alive wages. There is not an interest or
pursuit that has not felt the beneficial eff
fects of the operation OF the protective pol
icy. The States of the Union present an
aggregation of prosperity and wealth.
which was little dreamed of twenty years
ago, to be traced primarily to the encour-
agement whch has been given to American
industries, the development OF our various
resources and the testing Of our capacities
to meet the demands of our own needs, as
well as to supply the wants Of other coun-
tries.
While the healthy condition of our indus
tries may justify modification of the tar
if rates in many instances, yet they are not |
SO Independent as to defy hostile legislation. |
or the threat of radical changes which |
might destroy profits and necessarily sus-
pend enterprises. The uncertainties which |
attend the present discussion Of the tariff
question in Congress, have already worked
incalculable loss to the manufacturing in
terests. Forge and furnace after forge and
furnace, have had their fires quenched;
enforced idleness has been imposed upon
labor; purchasing power has thus been |
contracted, home markets injured, and trade
of every description more or less. conse-
quently, affected.
The responsibility for this condition Of
things is directly traceable to the policy of
the Democratic party as it is represented
in Congress. While confessing to no prin-
clpte in the matter, because the policy of
protection is recognized for petty local in
terests by the most rabid free-traders, yet
there is oneness of purpose on the part OF
Democratic representatives, to prevent a
wise and comprehensive measure, affecting
the Industrial interests of the entire coun-
try from being enacted into law. " it'll but
few exceptions, the Southern members are
solid against protection to American indus.
tries. They cannot surrender the fossilized
notions of slavery inspiraGiOn-seem inca
pable of grasping the situation, practically
considering present conditions, and adj
dressing themselves to the wants OF their
section under the new order of things
They hug exploded theories, are fascinated
by obsolete and impracticable distractions,
and delude themselves in the belief that the
People are not farther advanced than they
are. They are trifling with the very life
of the New South. They are stabbing at
the vitals of the constituencies which have
entrusted them with authority, that they
so grossly pervert and abuse, and seem to
be utterly blinded to the needs which are
daily springing up in the track of the nu-
merous railways that are now penetrat-
ing and net-wOrkiDg their section. These !
agencies of commerce and civilization are
stimulating thought, energizing endeavor,
reyolutionizing public opinion and educat-
ing the people to practical views and poll
cies affecting material development and |
industrial progress, as well as political |
forces in their relations to these important |
and essential questions. Party nominalism |
is fast losing its attraction. The people |
are beginning to look beneath the clamor |
and fustian of the political adventurer-the |
mannerisms and mouthings of studied
demagoguery-and becoming alive to the /
practical tn ings which work for the good |
and growth of community. And those
Southern members " no are attitudenizing
as the representatives of past distractions
who trudge along in the ruts their fathers
trod, and expect to retain power by the
devices and appeals which have served
them too long, will be awakened to
sense of their own stupidity, when they |
come to confront the people and stand
upon the record they are now making.
The South wants an American policy-a
policy which will develop mines. build fur