The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-11-11
A Cheerful Outlook.


A Cheerful Outlook.
The fact that the most eminent OF the
Democratic tariff agitators-free traders
under the guise of revenue reform =
will be either absent from the flftleth
Congress by invitation OF their constltu-
encies, or have been returned by such slen-
der majoTities as to constitute repuKe,
willsgo far to relieve the business OF tne
country of apprehension OF unfrienoiy
legislation. The defeat of Morrison ara
Frank Hnrd-the election of Carlisle by a
few hundred, where his maiorities before
had reached to thousands-the retiracy OF
Tucker, tor the reason that he could not
have been elected if he had consented to
be candidate, are events OF force
full significance as it affects the tariff ques-
ton. The election of two or three he
publcans in North Carolina. and four IN
Kentucky. and the return Of seven pro-
tective members from Virginia, indicate
a growing protection sentiment in the
South, while the gain of congressman ia
vorable to that policy in Indiana, Ohio,
New York and other States, emphasize
the belief that the Fiftieth Congress Will
be in a great degree relieved from the ap-
prehension and agitation arising from
the aggressive policy of the Morrison
school of politicians in the direction
of free trade. The Democratic major
ity, too, will be SO small, in that
body, that. the free trade element will be
in hopeless minority, and any effort to
revive the Morrison bill, or any measure
akin to it, would be indicative of such a
reckless and wanton purpose to disturb the
business of the country, that it would re-
ceive universal condemnation.
We assume, therefore, from the facts
recited, that the country will escape, for the
next three years, the effects of such pro-
posed interference with our customs laws
and the basis of our industrial system, as
were discussed and pressed during the
past session of Congress. While both Mr..
Morrison and Mr.. Carlisle affect to believe
that there was no adverse sentiment ex-
] VI COoCu IL llCll hlLu Va ttSAiil 1SIOA IL III
the elections this month, and have avcwed
| their intention to persist in their demands
for tariff revision" we incline to the
conclusion that the result of their labors
last winter and the verdict of the people
on the I'd inst, will constitute a conclu-
siye reason for the business interests of
| the country to rest in state of security
and contemplate plans for the future,
based upon present laws and policies; with
1 composure and confidence. With appre
tension arising from. this source removed
the assurance given by the people on the
2dl inst, that they are opposed to free
trade in all its disguises-we may .reasona-
bly, conclude that fresh impetus will be
given robustness enterprises-thatc capital
will emerge from its hiding places-that
the energies of the people will seek ave
nues of employment-and that we will
soon enter upon an era OF uneXampled
business activity and prosperity. The
abundance OF money in the Countryside
vast undeveloped mineral and agricultural
wealth, especially in the South, and the
|
need for railroads to accommodate it wher
converted into active values, constitute
considerations favorable 10 the belief that
the fetters..are to be stricken from bust
ness and the restrained energies Of the
people, emancipated from apprehension Of
unfriendly legislation, will grasp the oppor.
tunities and invitations before them to the
benefit of labor as well as capital, with
healthy and energizing influences penetrat.
ing all the qualifications of trade.
With confidence restored and the con-
seriousness that there is no danger of tar
if revision by the enemies Of American
| Industries we look forward hopefully to
| the future, and confidently believe that the
next few years will date an era of unex-
ampled activity in Industrial undertakings.
and period Of progress and prosperity
without parallel in the past.