The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-10-16

partly by the failure of their crops, and
partly by the fact that we cut down the
cost of carrying to their ports.
We cannot sell our grain and provis-
ions TO other countries unless we can do
so at lower prices than they have to pay
elsewhere.
This year we are advised that their
harvests are abundant. We are told that
the dealers in grain in the West relying
upon the necessities of European coun>
tries recently engaged in wild specula-
tions in provisions and bread stutfs. In
the meantime our foreign customers pro-
vided for their wants elsewhere. This
fact made many bankruptcies and other
disasters; it was one of the causes of bus
mess trouble in our country. 1t harmed
the carrying trade and broke down the
value of railroad and other investments.
The outlook for our farming interests
is not favorable. In addition to the fact,
that, this season the European harvests
are abundant, we have evidence that the
leading governments of that continent
are taking measures by founding colonies
and other means to get foreign products
in exchange for their manufacture. Great
Britain. by building railways and sending
improved tools to India has raised its
product of wheat so that it now exports
more than 35,000,000 bushels. This
amount will rapidly increase as the cost
of labor is only about two shillings per
day.
In addition to this, France Germany,
and other powers now. shut out some OF
our provisions, and we have reason to
think that this policy is to be extended
to our breadstuffs. There are great re-
gions in South America fitted for grain
growing, and as to provisions, we know
that cattle are killed there only for their
hides Commerce between that country
and Europe can easily and rapidly devel>
op the resources of the South America
continent as Europe now controls the
ocean trade. We cannot maintain our
shipping merely by a export trade; we
must have return cargoes.
! The outlook for our grain and cattle
raisers is not favorable unless by wise
policy we can avert the dangers which
threaten them. Light taxes as tariff
would drive them from European ports.
Our farmers engaged in the dairy business
are not at this time as prosperous as they
were in the years past. If, therefore, the
British government should yield to the
demand of its land owners, made in effect
like the declarations of the late National
Republican Convention, that the imposi-
ton of duties on foreign imports should
not be made for revenue, but to protect
the rights and wages of labor and to give
to capital its just reward, the result would
be disastrous to our dairy interest, and all
other agricultural interests. 1t is clearly
our Guty to give attention to the interests
not of one only, but of all pursuits.
The fears have expressed may be un-
founded, but surely it is our duty in a
| presidential election, TO study with care
the interest of all pursuits and of all Sec
ions of our country.
Governor Cleveland, the democratic
candidate, is an able, firm and thoughtful
man, who has risen to the position of
Governor of this state by the faithful
performance of duties in the official pos~
| itions he has held
His untlinching courage in carrying out
his trusts and his unquesti0ned integrity,
give him a strong hold upon the contid-
ence Of the public,
The excitements of the presidential con
test have not drawn him away from his
duties at the Capital of the state
am respectfully yours.
H0RATIo SEYMOUR.