West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-11-16
FARMERS FOOLED WORST.
What Thinkers Think.

more mdnulacIOTleS Iuau any osuSi
city on the continent. Thanks to
Henry George, the doctrine Of pro-
lection is better understood by labor
in that city than in any other of the
Union. The metropolis gave Cleve-
land $1,000 majority. The Repub-
licans made their gains by fooling
farmers. Philadelphia is the next
largest manufacturing city. Thanks
to Singerly of the Record, there has
been a large Democratic gain. Phil
adelphia in 1884, gave Blaine a
plurality of 10000; Harrison's was
only $4,000. Wheeling is our larg-
est manufacturing city, which gave
Cleveland a majority.
In proportion to population, Con-
necticut and New Jersey are more
interested in manufacturing than
any other states, (Rhode Island ex-
cepted ;both gave majorities against
| protection. The fact stands ont
in bold relief that the farmers of the
great agricultural West were badly
fooled by platitudes and sophis:ries
which proved powerless with me-
chanics in manufacturing centres.
"Some people must be kicked be-
fore they learn any sense.
Mr.. j. S. Moore, whose articles in
the New York Times, have made
him a national reputation as one of
the profound thinkers of this age
saws:
History repeats itself. The mon
oply oligarchy is simply repeating
the folly history has so often told of
q privileged class; but that there
will be an economic revolution OF
such intensity, that it will deluge
this land with bankruptcies and
ruin for years is as clear as the sun,
because the very enormity OF taxa
tion will bring the many millions OF
consumers to despair, and IN their
eagerness for remedy, they will go
to that other extreme which is the
opposite of protection, which on the
very account of q sudden transition
will destroy thousands of millions
in value suddenly. 1t was to avoid
such calamity, that the true tariff
reformers advocated moderate and
conservative steps of reform.
Among these tariff reformers, L
am perhaps now the oldest, and GER
tainly the most persistent. | feel
that cur great cause has gained a
vitality which it did not have be-
fore. Right and truth never die.
Clouds may occasionally obscure,
but the principle will shine as
bright as the sun. If it has been
crime to advocate lower taxes,
cheaper clothing, cheaper food and
cheaper necessaries Of life for the
millions of hard working people,
then for twenty-one years l have
been guilty.
When in less than q single gen
Grafton, individuals by means Of
protection can accumulate more
wealth than such ducal families rs
those of Norfolk or Westmoreland
have accumulated during eight
hundred years, then there is danger
to Republican institutions.
Although my years are those al
lotted by the Psalmist, shall in
the future be in the forefront OF
Tariff Reform. There shall not be
hidden monopoly trick that will
not expose. A rising, intelligent
generation is surrounding me,
stronger and more numerous does
it grow, who have unconsciously
absorbed the true doctrine | have
preached so long, namely: "Un-
necessary taxes are an oppression
on the people in order to enrich
monopolies. This good fight will
be carried on by millions of young
men who, when they have achieved
the great economic victory, will live
to see the still younger generation
wonder how such oppressive taxes
could have ever been submitted to
by free people.
Henry George, the ablest writer
on the tariff this country has ever
produced, says:
This defeat makes the immediate
future Of the country darker and
the path of reform more rugged;
but it may all the quicker bring
complete success. When great
principle is at stake, it is matter
of small moment how men vote; it
is all important how they think.
II Thought has been arods-
ed; discussion that cannot stop
has been begun; the tariff question
has taken hold of the public mind,
and is in American politics to stay
until settled. 1t can only be settled
in one way. The victory of last
Tuesday will prove to protection
what Bull Run wGs to the South.
If, when public opinion begins to
rise against vested wrongs. and es-
tablished abuses, the classes inter