Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-10-29
Every Man for Himself.

This, says the Lynchburg Advance, is tn
doctrine and the practice of most orpaniza
tions, corporations and men these days.
Men are apt to think that legislation tina
directly benefits them, puts money in thei
pockets, is that which is proper and right
and try to deceive the public, and sometime
themselves, into the belief that such clas
legislation is best for all. Now, we suppos,
this country is populated by 75 per cent. O
agriculturists, and the 25 per cent. left i.
made up of manufacturers, capitalists ant
mechanics. Labor is attached to each class
smaller proportion to agriculture than tt
mechanics. Now, what is the interest o.
agriculture in the system of Federal taxa
ton? What is the personal interest of the
man whose capital is in land and who pro
duces tobacco, corn, wheat, beef, pork, rice,
cotton, oats, butter. milk, cheese, fruits,
poultry, &C., &C.? Clearly to abolish the
tariff and internal revenue system and have
direct tax. If the crops are restricted te
staple productions-wheat, corn, tobacco
rice, cotton, beef and pork, clearly under q
tariff, he pays largely and gets no benefit
whatever. How about manufacturers, min
ers, capitalists and merchants? A tariff ol
any sort OF of any per cent. which taxes
foreign goods protects and aids them. They
are not SO largely consumers as they are
producers and handlers of goods of the same
character as those that are or would be i'm.
ported, and as they do not pay on income OF
trade, they only pay on personal consump,
tion, and get the benefit of the tariff, high
or low. The manufacturer gets it directly,
bonus on the goods he makes; the capi-
talst in the increased demand for money in
manufactures and trade, and the necessity
for banks and banking. Labor of all kinds
consumes. If capital chooses to pay high
wages, wages commensurate with the bonus
given by tariff, then the labor of certain
highly protected industries would be bene-
fitted, provided it exceeded the increased
price put on the protect ted articles which
labor is compelled to consume. as clothing,
&c. We think this is about fair stat e.
ment, and if the selfish rule of every man
for himself is to prevail. If l may say, cam
my brothers keeper" as protected
capital has often said to pretendedly
protected labor, then the rs per cent. ought
to take the reins and by their majority
regulate the revenue system of the Govern
ment for their own, their present advantage
Why not? Are not manufacturers and
capitalists all over the North clamoring for
protection and demanding the vote of agri-
culture and labor for their benefit. They
are minority, why should they have con-
sideration. We answer, if every man is for
himself, they are not so entitled; but if we
are to look to the good of all to the general
benefit of the country, it is best for every
country that its productions and industries
should be as fully and widely diversified as
possible. A prosperous country will gen.
orally be found to be one in which capital J
labor, manufactures, agriculture in all
forms, mining, merchandising and cG
merce, are well diversified. Now, to att
this promptly, it has been held that leg
ton should favor the weaker indu
stprotecf' them is the word now
fraudulent, and ''infant industriq
phrase now practically obsolete.
spirited men, patriotic men, haY
advised such legislation in a mod
conservative manner, dividing th
and burdens Of such legislation
ton. Agriculture bears most q
lection burdens, and, to its crei
aud patiently borne this unfai
now unnecessary burden.
industries, not ''infants."
for agriculture and simple
than for manufactures.
brothers and seek each
Divide the burdens amt
reduce the burden of t
limit consistent with
of the Government.
a plethOric TreasJ
benefits to be dsriv
this taxation afford
dustries. Deal fa
mercy is as bindil
Ifthis Governing
in the hands Of
there must be
ness, corrupt
have had for