The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-02-01
The Tariff.


The debate on the tariff on the 10Th inst,
in the House OF Representatives was in
teresting. Mr.. Tucker, of Virginia. deliv-
cred an ingenious speech in favor of his Pc
culiar theory on the subject, and Mr.. Kas-
son replied, in forcible and convincing
argument. While Mr.. Tucker admitted it
would be unjust to reduce the tariff to de-
gree to destroy invested capital in manu-
factories which mad been built up under a
protective system, he contended that the
protective policy was wrong, and that it
should, by degrees. be substituted by the
free trade notion. He strongly inve ighed
against what he called the monopoles en-
gagged in manufactures at the expense Of
the consumers, but failed to extend his OBJ
servation to the logical practical effect of
his assumed monopolies. Society is based
upon diversified pursuits, and consequently
there must be diversified industries to meet
the demands created thereby, and establish
manufactures by which all may live and
prosper. The locality which is blessed with
- ANA A%NS Va AOA ~ Va q MduuAdCGOIy "a sduy
kind, is always attended with activity and
prosperity. The operation OF the factory or
furnace makes the consumers able to buy
and pay for the products # the farmer,
and by the reciprocal relations thus cre-
ated the one class becomes an advantage to
the other. Destroy manufacturing indus
tries, by opening our ports to substantially
free foreign imports and bringing our labor
system in competition with that Of Europe,
the products of the soil would have their
market fatally restricted-the great con-
Stunning element would be unable to buy
and be driven into the avenue of produ-
GERS, and thus cheaper soil products by an
excess of production and diminution of
consumers. The farmer can better afford
to pay the price of protected articles he
needs, when his own products find ready
sale at increased figures by reason of the
manufactures encouraged by the policy OF
protection. Both classes are benefited.
and each gets a remunerative reward for
his labor, and the community becomes
richer and more progressive and enlight-
ened.
Mr.. Kasson was for protection because
be was for maintaining two things, the in
dependence of this country from foreign
control and the giving of bread aud he'll.
ter and clothing to the poor men of the
United States, who depend upon theil
labor for their daily supplies. This could
not be accomplished if the workshops OF
Europe were allowed to flood the country
with their manufactures. 10 destroy our
Iaboring man, and this he was too much OF
an American to do. Mr.. Kasson has been
educated up to the protective policy by his
four years. experience as diplomatic repre-
sentative OF the government in foreign
countries, where he observed closely the la
Dor systems and the impoverished condition
of the poorly paid operatives there. The free
trade, or purely revenue policy, is simply a
legal method to rob the laboring class of a
decent living, and no true American will
choose to accept it.
Mr.. Tucker is welded to theory, which
was instilled into him, under an entirely
different state of things in the South
to that which exists at this time
He seems to be forgetful of this and
not to recognize the fact that policies
change with conditions. What might have
been the right thing under mental labor
system, would be the wrong thing under a
free labor system. Tilling the soil was
the only thriving pursuit compatible with
the slave system. That was our resource
our all and in all. Our minerals and pas
ture fields and water-power must be util-
lied, to give US the diversified industries es-
sential to advancement and assured pros
perity, such as our natural resources ought
to command. Mr.. fuckers recogni lied ability
will not be equal to obscuring these facts
from the comprehension of the people. He
will find in his own district growing an
tagonism to his views, and, with proper
canvass and an intelligent presentation OF
the issue he invites, an irresistible public
opinion will be directed to his defeat as the
| representative of his side of that issue.