The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-05-13
From a Democratic Source.

The Petersburg Inde1-Appedl is out OF
place in the Democratic party. Its
views of public interests and its opinions
on public questions are hostile to Demo
cratic theories and practices. Notwlth-
standing this, it maintains its identity
with that organization, knowing that the
policy it maintains would never be en- |
forced by that party-that the Republican
party is the only political force in this
country which would give emphasis and
practical recognition to what our cotem-
porary advocates through its columns
Hereis paragraph OF two taken from an
able editorial on the tariff question, under
the caption of ''Protect U.s." 1t sounds
more like an emanation from Republi-
can journal than Democratic. Yet it is
from paper calling itself Democratic.
In Virginia we do not want to approach free
trade at all under any banner save that of pro-
tection-that protection which in all things is
the only foundation and safeguard of real free
posed and understood, is an internationalism,
communism, avery nihilism. only differing in
extremes that cry for free lands, free money,
free property, free love and free living. The
same spirit uQderlleS them all,-Jl6 same I'M
patience at restraint greed. lust and the
brute force of muscle or money. Protected
trade regulated trade, is the true doctrine, just
as protected and regulated liberty IS the only
right liberty. or possible liberty, for individ-
uas. AS among men without protecting laws
the strongest and most INSCRIPTIONS would en-
slave and Cypress the rest. so among nations,
in this matter of trade, the license OF Tree
trade would be only TO allow England for in
stance, to tyranniZe over us through all our
industries and resources. 1t would be free
trade for her. but no trade for us, except with
1, ,J1oy hnp nxr1,f tow
would be sport for her. but death for us. To
voluntarily welcome such struggle for exist
in which she is best equipped and most skilled,
would be teto de Sc on our part We prefer our
right under the laws OF nations TO 1oir OF out
our boards be grown; nor can we be persuaded
into leaving our defenses by jeers at our weak
ness. or vaunts of our strength. We know
that it is well with us where we are, and we
decline Just now to venture into the Jaws of the
This is the new world, which we vigor-
ously developing in all its potencies and posi-
sources are ours. Che important fact to us all
is that we are in the stage OF development, and
rapidly advancing under the policy of protec-
ton. The non producing and speculative con-
sumers among us form but small portion o
our population. In effect. we are all producers
and we easily understand that tariff at that
protective point which secures our produce
lions, form destructive and unremunerative
competition here with foreign productions is a
necessary condition of our progressive develop
ment and a common benefit to us all-butcher,
DaKer ana candle STICK makef,-Wool-groWef,
weaver, tailor-tanner, currieT, shoemaker.
The tailor understands, too, that he might,
under free trade, get his shoes cheaper and
the shoemaker understands that he might like
wise get his clothes cheaper; both buying the
foreign make and material; yet both realize
very sensibly that it would be ruinous cheap
ness which would close their shops and send
them on the tramp, begging for employment
and without money to purchase anything at
any price. And so of all our Productions and
producers. We form mutual benefit associa-
ton in this matter, and whatsoever we pay is
for the common behoof of all. We keep the
money at home, and in the family; we are in
dependent of the world, and we make ouI
country truly independent, self-sustaining ant
self-reliant,
OF course las we have often said before), this
principle of protection may be abused, but it is
none the less the right principle. Even if we
wish to trade abroad, our exports will curse us
to the narrowest and least profitable competi-
tion with the unlimited capital and the paupel
labor of Europe if we surrender our home mar
kets to free trade before we have developed our
resources and established our industries fully.
The very existence of our trade depends now tC
vast extent, and in multiplied things, upon
protection. This is true of the whole country
and it is more especially true of Virginia, nov
Just entering upon a career of thrifty progress
The time is yet distant when we shall 4aeed
what England calls free trade. Meanwhile we
need protection. Neither the wealth OF
nations nor that of individuals is acquired by
stopping the home wheels and looms, and mills
to traffic with the peddler and commercial
trav eler.