Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-01-30
RETRETCHMEET.

10 me eQLOT o. tdG dttLut"'' H"-'''U'
am constrained to use this very express
sive French word for my text because 1t
more forcibly expresses my idea than the
word economy, with which we have become
so familiarized from our earliest recollection
as to turn from its very sound with feeling
of disgust; and further, by residing On ar
ticle in the Industrial South Oh the report OF
the Commissioners of Agriculture for Janu-
ary 1st, 1856, in which regrets arc express
ed that the good times anticipated icr farm
ers has not yet arrived. L very psrsinantiy
states some facts which, if reflected upon,
explains the whole financial ornDarrne sment
by which We are surrounded. 1t says there
is a superabuudance OF agricultural products,
and consequently low prices prevailing the
world over. In free trade Ensana rs well
the confidential states which favor protcc-
ton, so universal is this condition Of affairs
that the theory of governmental policies
having anything 10 DO "itn il is entirely
disproye6. 1t further states N al these
countries, as well rs ca: own, with
out execution land owners alG farm
ers are having Il hard time, such as
there is no record OF. That We are having
tough time Of it l ad1it, but entirely dis
sent for the assertion That Inc present coGdi-
ton of affairs is without a parallel. History
is but a repetition ofitsei!, as every thought
full student has often observed. Without
uuotino any similar cases thereirom, will
give bit Of my own experience. Owing &c
the financial panic Of 1887 ny father whose
business transactions AMOUNTED 10 over
hundred thousand dollars q year, as his CID
books will show, was forced 10 Close up his
affairs and remove 10 New jersey, where he
engaged in farming. II our case IL was
very Iofcible illustration cimy tex. There
was no voition in the matter; not only We're
supeIfuities suddenly Topped oil, out many
of The necessagics Of life had 10 be dispensed
with, and we were obliged 10 practice q
great deal Of what some persons are prone
TO ascribe as one Of the vlrtues-rj9id econ
omy the redeemins feature OF which was
il brought rs through darker period than
We are now experiencing, comparing The
prices CT farm produce then viii! what We re
ceive now. remember TO have sold huGdreds
of bushels Of potatoes III Philadelphia
for twenty cents a bushe!. We thought
twenty five cents pound zip top
price for print butter, and frequently
and wheat as low rs eighty FIVE cents a
bushel, and was once three days selling a
load of hay, for which l got forty cents
hundred weight; and l remember iuyiug
oats for twenty eight cents ard corn for
forty five cents bushci, for the purpose Of
feeding dairy COWS. This was in $3.50.
The first two years re pliG 500 rent u yea:
for 100 acres of land. and for six years We
paid $500 a year for l3j acres. Now for the
application: Growing Oft o! the expansion
of the currency as one OF the results OF tue
war, spirit Of speculation and cXtrava
gance prevailed among I'll classes. 40. eX
ceptiDg the tiller/ Of the soil, upon whom
the evil effects worked IS Gisas;r1asiy a; on
any OF her profession, as is demonstrated by
the pitilul petition going up FROM farmers
assemblies all over the land, 70 the National
as we'll as State legislatures FIR relief, to
bring them out OF their distress have NJ
faith ia legislative rostruma cr l"naccas,
and it does seem singular That Inan ,7ho dc.
mand that the general government shall re-
move all trade restrictions should he so
clamorous for tariff of rates for curriers'
| through their own borders. Fighting
railroad companies, nor any assistance we
can got from tic signal service, vii! avail
US in the present crisis Sloru signals may
| be very useful before & gegse, leaves port,
but if overaken at sen prudent mariner
| will use his own Judgment, NOT only ;a!;iEg
in his sails, but is obliged sometimes 10 50
close reef as merely 10 hold bis vessel TO her
course, trusting III plenty Ct sea room to
come out all right. so with the farmer " ha
expects to weather the present SEA Of diGi-
culties by which he is surrounded he mus;
husband his resources, and if clouds Of ad-
versty hang over Linn he caUst patiently
wait, knowing that The >uc o. prosperity
will surely shine, Though ,.ow shroudei in
mystery, and when he is able to take IN
observation and locate his true position, &c
may safely lay his coarse for a ha"cn where
he may repOse in ease aatl plenty. And, |
would add, let there he ,cireHchmc"t in our
Legislature by Topping off appropriations to
objects of doubtful expectancy, but cease
practicing the niggardiy policy that con
fines our Commissioner Of Agriculture to
his present restricted quarters. | mav at
some future time say what ] Ihinl; ought TO
he done to magnify and make more usofu!
that office. T. +. MASoS.