Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-08
FRAUD.
A Farmers Views.

Farmers Views.
To the Editor of the Dispatch:
An old farmer respectfully asks leave
for a few words with his fellow-farmers
on the subject OF the tariff. The issue is
made up. the decks are cleared, and the
crews are stripped to the waist, ready for
action-and it is the duty Of each man
to do his best.
The question is, Shall the principle OF
class legislation-of levying tribute from
the many for the benefit Of the few-be
indelibly incorporated in our system OF
government ? Shall high, redundant,
war taxes or taxes reduced to the needs
of government be the rule? Shall there
be an aristocracy of wealth permanently
established and protected by govern
ment? Shall it continue to be run IN
the interests Of capital without regard to
the rights of the people ? Shall the
parasites, the cut-worms OF national
prosperity, be pampered into monsters
threatening our liberties? Surely the
overwhelming many will not commit
burglary on themselves to perpetuate
superiluous tribute to the few, and en-
tail on their posterity burden that Is
reducing us with unerring certainty.
This issue has never been squarely
before the people, nor has it been fully
discussed since the war, and the vast
majority don't understand the nefarious
operations and abominable injustice of
the system under which We have been
struggling and foundering for the last
thirty years
Like well-broken OK some bow their
necks TO the yoke, and even lean up to
it as if they prefer the harness, in the
delusive hope OF better times. Habits
long INDUCED become tyrannical and
obliterate conscience and understanding
Before the war and under lower
tariff than the present dwarfcd and
emasculated Mills bill there was never
moro prosperous people, but now, with
labor strikes and continual strife and
grumbling, high redundant war tariff
is the nostrum proposed for all our woes
This and the "bloody shirt " and med
ding with private State rights consti-
tutc the basis or platform OF their opc-
rations.
Southern Republicans, indulging in
the fond illusions of hope for Office
regardless of the interests Of the peo-
pie with whom they have been raised
and with whom their lots arc cast,
may and do for selfish ends endorse
northern views. But how an intslli-
gent, honest southerner out of politics
can sanction q system which robs him
self to enrich others is beyond my feeble
comprehension.
The tariff was originally designed to
raise revenue for Government expenses,
with incidental protection to certain in
dustries calculated to render us inse-
pendent of ether nations. BY log roll
ing and rsscality it has become huge
Government trust for subiecting the
many to the emolument and special
benefit OF the few. Glass Legislation
has ever been repugnant to justice and
enlightened public sentiment. If agri-
cultural products were SO protected by
law as to make consumers pay a third or
half more for Germ, wheat, bacon, &C.,
there would Justly be a dismal and in
dignant howl in Pennsylvania and the
northeastern States. II consumers had
to psy even a 1.-THE moro they might be
convinced of the injustice OF law to
enrich the rich and impoverish the poor.
Monopolists have been SO long and
profusely favored they have an abund-
ance of the sinews Of political warfare,
money-enough to buy, bride, and cheat
with impunity-and they are going to
spend more than ever. Chicanery and
falsehood viii be at premium. Spacious
assertion, sophistry, and bsld-headed
lies, backed by pocket-iingle, can carry
the ignorant and needy voter IN these
times of moral decay.
I'll fares the land 10 Fastening Ills prey,
Where wealth sccumulates and men decay"
Mr.. Blaine himself, in his letter from
Florence, gave cue to his party by the
suggestion of lie when he said that
Mr.. Cleveland favored free trade, though
his message had expressly disavowed II.
Fellow-iarmers, and all you who have
TO pay a third or half more for your
clothing and general supplies than they
pay in other countries, rise to the height
and magnitude OF the occasion. Young
men, old men, ladies, and all, organize,
organize. Let us oil lay aside small diff
ferences. We can all, including our
misguided protectionists, stand with ease
and safety on the Mills bill, eunuchized
as it is. Let Us for the sake at least OF
our good "old Virginia" harmonic for
the contest, and by all means save it
from the cruel, happy claws OF our i'm
placable foes, whose aim is to supplant
intelligence and virtue with supple igno-
rance and scheming vice. Heed no
cranky conception, but listen to the logic
OF the tines SESR2.