The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-02-28


that 60 cents per ton might be imposed.
This is very well for Mr.. Tucker, who
represents rich iron district, but it is
not enough for his constituents, and he
will either have to improve Oh this or con-
template the possibility of retiring from
the important position he now occupies.
Indeed, the people in every district in the
State ought to compel all aspirants to take
decided position on this question of tariff
on iron ores, and elect no one to Congress
who is not in favor Of placing the highest
duty, consistent with public policy and the
interests of the State and Nation, on the
imported iron ores. MI. Morrison's tariff
bill, placing on the free list almost every
thing that is found in the South, might do
very we'll for Mr.. Hewitt, whose iron
works are near the sea coast, and whose in
vestments in Cuban mines would enable
him to manufacture iron out OF foreign
ores at the expense Of the iron interests OF
the South. but it does not suit this sec
ton, nor any other portion of the Union
where mineral wealth exists, and is depen-
dent for it's active value for protection
from the system of labor in other countries
and the starvation prices which are there
paid.
This country must have an American
policy Of uniform operation by which its
natural resources may be developed and
utilized and diversified industries thus en-
couraged.. The principle of protection
cannot be safely ignored, nor will it be,
for the growing sentiment of the South in
its favor will so express itself as to favor
no man as representative in the national
legislature who does not recognize its es-
sential application to the wants of the
South. We find this cropping out in pro-
fessedly free trade journals. The policy
of free trade will not admit of defence, as
it is formulated in the Morrison tariff bill,
by journals which are arrayed against the
party of protection. The beneficent opera
ton of the protective policy is acknowl-
edged in the opposition they are now
making to bill which was de-
signed to approach the policy of free
trade as nearly as possible, so as not to
arouse the fears of the whole country, for
very few of them have the courage to
support its free list, including, as it does.
| iron ores, lumber and other articles COM
posing much of the wealth Of the South,
and which are destined to contribute large
| ly to Southern prosperity under the pro-
tective policy of the Republican party.
They contend for the abstract principle of
free trade, but when it is applied so as to
affect the interests of certain localities,
where the articles enumerated in the free
| list would be valueless under its operation,
they are compelled to make exceptions,
thus virtually confessing that the princi-
pie is wrong, in that its enforcement
would initiate against the development
and progress of the section they repre-
sent.
Unless we can have a reasonable tariff
on iron ore, sufficient to protect the native
ores, mined under our system Of labor,
against the foreign ores, mined under an
other system Of labor, Virginia can never
realize upon her natural sources Of
wealth. We must have tariff, at least
to represent the difference between the
prices paid for labor in this country and
foreign countries, so as to give employ
ment, to home labor in reaching for home
development. Any other policy must ne.
cessarily operate to drive labor from min.
| ing and manufactures either into the
streets or to engage in agriculture, caus
ing idlenes$ or ovef-production. with the
consumers unprepared to purchase what
is produced, forcing stagnation in ex'
changes and forbidding diversified indus
tries, where nature has arranged for their
encouragement and establishment. 1t is a
policy that would strike deadly blow at
the progress Of Virginia useless
her vast iron ore fields, arrest the influx Of
capital, forbid manufactures, and remand
us into condition of commercial and bust
ness slavery, that would be reproach te
the civilization Of the age, as well as a fit
| illustration of the utter incapacity of the
Democratic party to measure the wants Of
the country, or comprehend the agencies
to meet the progressive influences which
are now shaping our national destiny.