The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-10-25
JACOB YOST,
e,r Augusta County
The Young Zen.

have great responsibility !iifpooea "P
them, They will have. to great DEGREE
the shaping If the destiny OF lie country
which they liz The near future. VIII nave ~
control They are confronted with issues
which will determine the progress ana |
wealth of the nation. during their own
lives. and will he called upon TO dischafge |
duties. the effect of which WIFI Ieaep
farther than the allotted period OF lheI
exis,euce [, is whether the pollc'es OF |
the covert ment are to lie directed by Tie |
urinary consideration of American inter |
ests or of foreign concern. whether they
are to identify themselves with tHe lnliu'
ences which have worked such marVelouS
results III the past quarter OF 4 GeHi"'S
of our national life. or will adhere to lhe |
reactionary and obsolete theories which |
have been the '-iliad of all our woes
Let them take a btief review OF the OPP
erations of the tau principles and poleles-
which are now before them for declsIoh--
Practically the tariff idea OF revenue
,ulv y that is nourished 10y the Democrats
and embraced in the Mills bill, has been
the controlling il fuence in our revenue
legislation since 1916. We had protec-
tive tariff in 1924, which was improved on
i'm 1928. and The result WAS an increase I'D
wealth and the prevalence OF extra
binary prosperity. The compromise q
1892 80 under the threat OF nuillhcatlon
by South Carolina. practically restored Inc
s.for revenue only idea. The trultlons
were realized ia 1887 when .he most dise
astrons panic that ever afflicted people
WAS the result. Il WAS followed by pc
Iitical revolution in 1910, in which the
Democratic party was driven from power
and the protective principle recognized ID
1912 Prosperity again visited tie couh'
try and we were moving on to assured
power and infuenc when the Democratic
party. under the PROMISE OF adherlrg 10
the protective legislation OF ISL was
again advanced to the control or governs
ment. The promise was violated ID Inc
enactment of the "for revenue only" legls
sation of 1916. known as the Walker Tariff
law. That was practically in force until
1861. with its history marked ny the panic
of 1857, the ruined credit OF the govern
ment and the bankrupt condition OF the
treasury at the close OF Buchanan ad
minstration.
In 1861, the protective principle was
apafn formulated into Jaw AID has been
tried now for over quar.er OF century.
Our national wealth in twenty-five years
increased uuder it f0ur~fold more IMAM IL
had increased for the previous hundred
gears. An industrial system was built up
unsurpassed on the gIobe. Our national
credit was restored, and the country al
yanced in al! the elements Of wealth and
power.
Not only has our industrial progress
been UMPIRE cedented. but our monetary
sys;em has become The most stable and
satisfactory that the civilized world mas
ever known. Instead or Democratic stale
Banks and shinplasters. we have nation
al currency, every dollar Of which IS good
for 100 cents the world oyer. Throughout
all the ramifcatious of trade and business
these industrial AID monetary systems
permeate, il fuencing values ard regulat'
ing the affairs of community upon a sale
and solid basis.
These conditions address themselves TO
the thought and the Judgment OF the
Young men who are soon To take charge
of the affairs of State and country. Ihey
are interested il them because their husl-
ness thrift, in the years to come, as well
as in the present, must be affected oy me
material advancement Of the country and
the medium Of exchange which nlay eX-
ist. They should approach The issues in
volved in these conditions as practical.
sensible men. who have personal inter-
est in and " hose future success Is 10 De
measured by them. Under the operation
Of the present tariff laws towus and cities
have beeu built up: waste places converted
into busy seats of Industry; farms have
become more valuable and lemuneTatVe,
and every channel Of business HloFe active.
Compare the condition OF the community
at LoBgdaie Or Lowmoor, as it IS noW,
with what was before the protective era was
inaugurated ia 1861. Look at the make
able value of lands in Pennsylvania where
thriving industries have been established.
and then to Virginia. where nature has
been so prodgal in her gifts, aud see what
is presented-the one Selling the oppGrtn-
nity to develop and utilize her natural re
sources. and keeping in step with the pro
gre siye spirit which underlIes the pro
teetlve principle, and the other hugglng
obsolete distractions and ciinging to
demolished idols: wogshipping among the
lava beds and the tombs OF departed grta:-
ness.
There is no inviting and assuring future
for the young men OF Virginia. SO long as
the blight and the N ildew of The obstruc
tive policy of the Democratic party pre-
walls. 1t repeis the progressive spirit OF
Gle age. 1t subordinates all the great IN
rerests of the State TO the fell spirit OF
partizanism. and remands us TO the past
AID all its REFRESHING influences, unniind
ful of the progress ana development OF
other sections. not SO highly favored, and i'll
different to the agencies which have made
our country what it is &c day-the wealth
lest on the globe.
The young men of Virginia sao0ld come
to the front with the courage of their CON
yictl )ls-should serious think over tie
effect of their ballots on their own future
welfare. and rising superior to preju-
dice and traditions, deposit their votes for
what they believe is besS for the State and
country. Virginia is naturally one of tie
richest STATES il tie Cnion-Apr geo
graphical posiiios2 is as favorable as til as
of any other, aod ali her surroundings Al e
such rs to invite The ii'isderces that will
cont ribute to her advancement in material !
welfare and political power
1t is with the young men, in great
measure, to say what position Virginia
shall bod in the march Of progress-Wha
her future shall be in the busy. active. |
business world, and h3ther she shall con-
tinue to rest under the mildew and 81 adow !
of the past. hedged in by provincialsms |
and pressed down by tie moss and fossils |
of century. The young men can lift