Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-02-03
THE TARIFF.
Some Thoughts on This weighty Political
subject.

] 1OAA0 @ASN u @
Subject.
National &OckmaH and Farmer.
The principle of protection to An erican
products and labor is not we'll enough IN
derstood by our people. A better educs,
ton is. necessary; for nearlYal take avery
narrow view Of it, and seem to think no
/ one interested but sheep owners and iron
manufacturers. 1t Is true, the wool and
iron interests are among the FIRST to suffer;
out the destruction of these two great in
dustries means Generalization to every 9th,
er branch. Even the farmers seem to
think that if they dispose of their sheep
they are no longer interested in protection.
Is it not plain enough that if i cannot
grow wool to adysntsnge / will grow grain
for the msrket, in direct competition with
my grs~in.groWing neighbour The same is
true if l turn my attention to any other
prodnct of the farm. The last two years
have brought the inqu ~ from all business
circles. What is the matter with the
times2' "Uverproduction,' is the
ready answer. But is it true? Is there
more wheat grown than is necessary to
supply the demand, if all were properly
fed2 Is it not true that many go hungry
because unemployed, and unable to pro-
cure this necessary article of food Is
there more wool grown than Is necessary
for the comfort Of our people, if all should
be properly clothed? We haver neye yet
grown enough in the United States to sup
ply our own wants, even under our best
tariff rates. Can We expect prosperity in
trade when legislation has stricken down
one Of the leading industries of the nation ?
There is q harmony Of interest that ought
to be better understood by all classes. The
merchant must look to the farmer in q
great measure for his trade. Legislste
against the farmer, and the business Of the
merchant is curtsiled.
The same may be said Of all, no matter
what the occupation. Even the learned
professions stand or fall with the farmer.
II is prosperous times that bring business
to the lawyer, and increase the salary Of
the minister. And yet it is said that the
majority Of ministers are free traders. If
this is true it shows a defect in their edu.
cation in this particular. Only q few teach
that adversely is favorable to religion. The
best theologisns favor q certain degree of
thrift as conducive to the best results. Then
Why not favor protection? The tariff Of
1867 was q moderate one, giving III Meth.
er poverty nor riches and should have
had the full endorsement of the clergy. 1t
is unfortunate that many of our schools
and colleges teach the doctrine Of free trade
the very doctrine that will beggsr them
selves. The colleges are largely filled with
the sons Of farmers. Cut off the source of
income. and the attendance will naturally
diminish.
The great lesson to be learned is that
every citizen Is interested in protection.
The farms are the great source of wealth.
II we are to prosper it must be brought
out Of the soil by the hardy lsborers on
the farm. This is the starting pointfor all
real prosperity and healthful trade. Any
legislation injurious to the farmers is iDju.
to the general prosperityof the State
Depression to the farmer brings depress.
ion to every other business. As the farmer
the whole community prcspers
him. Legislate for the benefit Of the
and you start the wheels of trade
and Gil the land with plenty. But why
should there be any conflict between those
pursuing the different industries? We ali
rise or fall together. The manufacturer Is
dependent largely on the farmer TO pur-
chase his goods, and the farmer is depen.
dent on the manufacturer for the supply Of
these goods. As it is for the mutual bene-
st of all that the material be grown from
our own SOIL and manufactured by our
OWN laborers.
But perhaps no one is more interested
n protection to American interests than
he American laborer. Shall the standard
wages here be lowered to compare with
wages paid in Great Britain and else
Shall the products of half paid
abor from other countries compete with
he products Of our own2 1t has been our
ride that the ~WsrkiDgmen have been able
o maintain themselves and families in
and plenty, educating their chill
lrsn and making them useful citizens Of
,ur Republic. Shall we give all swsy2-
or whst2 For the benefit of British lords
rho have no interest in the laborer, except
o profit by his toll Ffee,trade is beauii-
III in theory, but its real meaning is to
the standard of the American farmer
nd lsborer to that Of the serf Of Europe.
JOIN G. CLARK.
POloiO, Pa.