Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-10-22

S. NJ. Shaw, Esq, Editor Of the Freemaa''s
Journal, Cooperstoacn, o.
DEAR SIR:-I regret that I cannot take
an active part in the pending political con-
test. | am unable to do so on account OF
my health. feel deep interest in the re-
suit. The passions excited by the events OF
the past twenty years have in good degree
subsidized. The great interests of our coun-
try should now be considered in way which
will promote it's welfare. From feeble
nationality it has grown within the lifetime
of many of our citizens to great power
Even if the rate of our increase shall be
less than heretofore, in about twenty-five
wears it will have population of one hun
dred millions. Many who are now living
will be active citizens when it has gained
this position. We are on the eve OF great
events upon which the results of the pres
emit canvass will have bearing. While
there is much to animate US with regard to
the nations future we must bear in mind
that its growth and prosperity will also en-
gender many dangers. They will involve
us in new relationship with nations they
will attract attention to or affairs, and
may excite unfriendly feelings. The in
crease Of population and its diffusion over
new and distant territories add to the dan
ger of sectional prejudices. The future
will demand thoughtful conduct Of public
affairs to prevent sectional passions, for
with the increase of population and of va
ried interests they will be more easily ex-
cited. Unfortunately the canvass has been
marked by personalities which have turned
away attention from more important sub
iects 1t is our duty to learn how we can
promote tie interests of all pursuits and
not to devote our attention to one at the
expense of others. The speakers and the
press of the republican party are causing
danger to our agricultural and other inter
ests by declaring that it is the duty of every
good government to impose such taxes on
imports as will exclude the products of 9TH
er lands. Now there is but one of our pur-
suits that needs such protection. Our farm
ers, our mechanics, with q few exceptions
our commerce, our carrying interests ask
for no taxes to help them. Our manufac-
turers do need aid from the government =
All parties have agreed that large share
of our revenues should be raised by taxes
On imports. The national republican con-
vention artfulIy put forth the same doctrine,
but their press and speakers claim that the
term protection" means that taxes NAV
be imposed for the sole purpose of aiding
certain pursuits, and they do this in terms
which practically make war on our agricul
tural and other interests. They say it is a
duty of our government to fence out the
importations OF foreign products which con-
flict with our own. If this is true, then
the governments of Europe are reproached,
because they they do not impose duties up
on our agricultural products. A. light duty
upon our grain, provisions and dairy pro-
ducts would be destructive to the prospect
ty Of all parts of our union, and all indus
trial pursuits. If duties are put upon our
products in European markets. the disas-
tcrs will be charged upon those who claim
to be the particular friends of the manufac-
turers upon whom it would be easy for Eu-
rope to retaliate. 1t would need but light
duties to shut out produces from their ports.
We have striking proof of this in the eff
feet of our taxes upon our carrying trade.
In 1868 the tolls upon one hundred pounds
of wheat from Buffalo to New York on our
canals were ten cents. In 1870 effolts were
made to reduce them. These did not show
their influence till 1876. In the ten years
prior to that time the balauce of trade
against our country was $0l7, 429, 674-
This state continued reducing canal taxes
and at length abolished all tells. The re-
duction of taxes led all other routes to re-
duce charges with the following results:-
In 1868 it cost to carry bushel of wheat
from Chicago to New York by lake and
canal % cents, by lake and railroad 20
cents, by all rail AZ cents. Last year the
cost by lake and canal was a fraction more
than cents, by lake and railroad IL cents,
by all rail 16 cents. The effect on carrying
is shown in the reports of the general gov
ernment. While from 1866 to 1875 the
balance Of trade against us was more than
800 million dollars. When those charges
we're reduced, the balance in our favor in
eight years was between 200 and 800 mil
lion dollars. This shows what the effect
would be if foreign governments, following
the teaching of the republican press and
speakers, should feel it their ''duty" to i'm
pose charges upon exports to their coun-
tries equal to the reductions in the cost of
carrying from Chicago to. New York in
1868. There are evidences that they mean
to put charges on these articles and the
Republican speeches are highly approved
by British and continental journals. France
and other European countries have already
prohibited the importation of some of cur
provisions, and they contemplate further
action in the same direction. 1t is urged
Will tIutH tlitG IL we give ana 10 our 1ld1l-
ufactures all other industries would be ben
Gifted by it. 1t is also true that if we
harm our farming, carrying and CONNER
cial pursuits, we bring great disaster ON
our manufacturers. Our agricultural in
terests are the most important of all.
There is no free trade party in our country,
nor one opposed to raising the largest share
of our revenue by taxes on imports. The
amount raised in this way in 1884 was over
$195, O00,0O No party objects to this
method of raising revenue. 1t can give no
offense nor excite retaliation, as it does not
put taxes on foreign productions solely for
the purpose of excluding them. The dis
cussion between parties has been how the
amount to be raised by taxes on imports
shall be apportioned. There is a general
complaint of the burdens of taxation. 1t
is our duty then, at this election, to consid-
er the interests of all of our industries. and
to legislate so as not to build up one at the
cost of the other.
Those engaged in transporting the pro-
ducts Of cur land are large class engaged
in laborious pursuits. Any diminution of
our exports would bring great loss to them.
The falling off in value of our railroads and