The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-03-01
The Farmer and Protection.

time. Whatever may be the causes which
have contributed to this result, and howev-
er much men may differ as to these causes,
the fact remains that the agriculturalist is
more richly rewarded for his labor than in
any previous period of our history as ma
ton. Not only are present evidences such
as to justify this conclusion, but the fu
ture holds out inducements for still further
efforts and enlarged operations, with
promise of returns equally satisfactory
upon more extended basis of trade. There
is demand for the staple products of the
soil at fair prices, and there is an increas-
ing call for every article that is connected
with farm operations, and at largely in
creased prices over those formerly realized.
You cannot refer to any product of the
farm that does not indicate healthy condi-
ton of demand, evidencing general pros
perity both with the producer and con-
sumner.
1t is well that it is so, for it gives assur-
ance that the country is In progressive,
wealth creating condition. Agriculture is
the fountain source OF our national pros
perity, and whatever stimulates it--causes
two blades Of grass to grow where one
grew before-rescues the virgin soil from
idleness, and converts its products into ac-
tive values, must necessarily be public
benefaction. To trace back to their source
the causes which have brought about this
vigorous life and healthy remuneration to
the farmer, and deliberately discuss it,
is not the purpose we have in view
flicting reasons. We may say, however,
that following logical sequences, one OF the
primary sources OF this prosperity is the
manufactures of the country-that govern
mental policy which looks to the develop
ment of home capabilities, both in the ma
terial and industrial avenues of enterprise.
The protection that is given to American
manufactures in the tariff laws not only
encourages the manufacturing industries.
but developes the natural resources of the
country-opens the mines, utilizes the tim
Der, adds value to the soil, and thus creates
demand for railroads, to open communica-
ton with the centres Of trade to inter-
change the various products thus brought
into the channels of commerce. Refining
theorists cannot separate these several in
terests, their mutual growth, by reason of
their mutual dependence, and the general
wealth and prosperity that naturally flow
from them. Buy where you can buy the
| cheapest-or ia other words, free trade
with the nations of the earth, sounds very
plausible, when reason is made subser-
Went to sound. The measure of prosperity
is not the price of the article to be pur-
chased, but the ability to purchase, and I'M
| less all classes of consumers are furnished
labor by which to earn the means to pur-
chase. the producer will find his goods of
little value. Every mandatory creates a
source of consumption, for it employs Ia
Dor, and enables the laborer to buy the food
of the producer. Aggregations of manu-
features invite the construction of railroads,
for their products offer the freight which
assures running expenses and dividends ;
railroad construction gives employment to
another class Of laborers, and invites an.
other market for the farmer. Manufactures
and railroads justify the opening of our
vast mineral beds, and the employment OF
another class Of laborers and another class
| of consumers. And thus 1t is throughout
! all the rounds OF industrial pursuits, where
diversified avenues Of business and produc-
lions are encouraged each benefits the 9TH
er, and all conspire to national wealth.
They all come back to the farm and pas
ture fields, too, for the means of living, and
| in this way agricultural interests have
been promoted and the prosperity now en-
| ioyed vouchsafed. 1t requires but little re-
| Election, to trace the connecting links be-
tween the farm and pasture field, and the
manufacturing interests and railroad con-
struction of the country, with protection to
home industries as the great factor in this
circle of benefits. Break down the manu-
features OF the country by the adoption of
the Democratic free trade policy, and a
blow is struck at the development of our
minerals, the construction of railroads and
the employment Of labor, followed by
either diminished farm products or a re-
dundans and stagnant market. And the
very moment We bring our home labor into
competition with the pauper labor Of Eu-
rope, the effect must be felt in every branch
of industry and every department of en-
terprise.
Accepting agriculture as the primary
source Of our prosperity, we must with
equal candor accept that governmental
policy that contributes to its encourage
ment, to creating home market for con-
sumption in the establishment of industries
which enable the operatives to buy what
is produced. These cannot be found in
that system which looks abroad for cheap
er products, by reason Of cheaper labor
that feeds the paupers of Europe at the ex-
pense of the impoverishment of our own
laboring classes. We have, in this country,
4,O0s, 1907 farms. constituting 2S4,77l, 042
acres of improved land. Their value is
$40, 1877 ,096,776. The implements used on
them amount to $406, $50, 055. The value
of the live stock connected with these
4.OOS, 9O7 farms is 1880, 464. 500. and the
value OF the farm products $2.2l3, 402. 564.
OF this sum of over twenty-tw hundred mil
lion dollars worth of farm products not
more than one-tenth finds foreign mar.
ket. 1t is consumed at home, supplying
the demands OF the labor of the country
that is not engaged in agriculture, much OF
which is enabled to purchase by reason
of its employment in mines, factories,
furnaces, and in railroad construction and
operation. mere statement OF these
facts must bring prominently to the mind,
the interest agriculture has in the manuiac-
lures of the nation and the railroads which
ramify through every portion OF our do
main, that find their greatest encourage
ment in the policy of the government which
looks to the building up of American indus
tries through the tariff laws. Strike down
the manufactures of the nation, the blow
will be felt in the railroad enterprises, the
mine operations. and in the farmers pock-
ct. The home market would necessarily
be curtailed, and either farming operations
diminished, or surplus product created,
so far beyond the foreign demand, as to
create stagnation in trade and discourage
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