The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-08

To the Editor of the indianapolis Journal:
Indiana has IL, 1873 mechanical and manufaet-
uring industries, representing a capital of
500, 742, 1862, and employing 1857 hands above
the age of fifteen years, and 1921 children and
youths. The total amount paid annually in
wages to persons thus employed is $21, $50, 1873.
The total value of materials used by these
II, 1913 industries annually is 500. 1862, 917, and
the total value of the products is $14S, COG, All.
Now, suppose we adopt the political economy
of John Bull, which is ehampioned with in
creased ardor by the Democracy this year, what
would be the result Can any person fail to see
that that procedure could have but one effect, and
that is the closing of many or all of these
industries, and thereby displacing the laborers
there employed Just in proportion to the num-
Der of manufactures closed? Then what would
be the result $50, 472, 1852 of capital would be
Withdrawn from our State or lie imperative.
The market for 800, 262, 917 worth of raw ma
berials, which is furnished by those not engaged
in these Enthusiastically agriculturists-
would be destroyed, and our State robbed of
$l4S, 0oG, All worth of products annually.
And what would be the further RESULT The
persons thus thrown out of work would have to
do something for a livelihood. Towhat would they
most naturally resort To agriculture. But
Indiana already has 331, $40 persons engaged in
agriculture. Agriculture as it is is a little over
done. StatlSflclanS DELL us We already
have IA per cent. more people engaged in
agriculture than our needs require. Suppose we
still add to that number. Soon We would become
a nation of producers, merely. What does that
mean2 Ask Ireland. Ask Poland. Ask India
Ask Turkey. Ask Egypt. Ask any country
whose unfortunate surroundings compel it to
live by agriculture alone.
But free-traders say everything would be
cheapened by adopting free trade, and though
the laborer got less, his wages would buy more.
Rut the fraa-trpGaTfg VVnp0 lie as XNnptblaSS MS n
confederate bond under Republican rule. His
judgement is bad. He has been on the wrong
side of every right thing since his birth, and
what warrant have we for trusting his Judge
ment in this9 II that is ready to slip with his
feet is as a lamp despised in the Thought of him
that is at ease"
1t was free traders who declared African slav-
cry a divine institution. 1t was free traders who
declared the greenbacks unconstitutional. 1t
was free-traders who declared resumption ruin
Gus, if it were possible at all. 1t was ree-trad-
ers who said our national bank system was a de-
fusion and a snare. In all of these things they
were mistaken. May they not be now? We
know they are, as has been demonstrated by
thousands of tongues and pens.
But suppose unings were chenpened. Greeley
said a man with money could pay off a note of
pay off a debt of 81. Without opportunity to
earn the dollar, how would the
laborer be benefited if q dollar
wonld keep himself and family a week.
And now couiu ne nave Sucn opportunity, WIN
some other country doing the work for us that
we ought to do for ourselves Bat, they say,
raw materials are as cheap here as in Great
Britain. Labor is as ski1lful, and we ought to
be able to compete with that country. We are.
Howl By putting our wives, mothers and
children in the shop, factory, or mill, alongside
ourselves-the combined labor of all to earn
barely enough to appease the wolf Of
hunger from ere day to another, as they do in
England and other free-trade countries. We
can compete with them. Howl By turning beg
gar, and living upon aims, and every seventh
one of us filing paupe1's grave, as they do in
England and other free trade countries.
Does this not strike the tender spot IN our
American nature, and make us resolve that the
brilliant Blaine and gallant Logan, representing,
as they do, America, and only America, shall
receive our hearty and u~ntiring support Think
Of this, men of Indianal Think of this, men of
America! V. II. MONROE.
SEYMOUR, Oct. G.