The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-04-11
PROTECTION FOR THE SOUTH
TO DEVELOP HOME MAHak.Ts.

X. G. Parsons.
General Roger A. pryor's forcible arguments
favoring protection as the Issue TO break the
spondence between Colonel He. Parsons, of
Virginia, and Mr.. Thomas Seden, now Of Ala
hama, ON the subject Of calling convention OF
Southern proectionsts some time next month,
all published in the "IIerald,'' have created a
very marked and deep seated impression through
out this section, says the Richmond correspond
ent of the New York "IIerald " The Parsons
Setldon letters give practical shape and form
to what General Pryor suggested, and the sub
iect is now receiving widespread and interested
attention.
Colonel Parsons, as his initials, I'll. c."
would indicate, comes from an old line wing
West Virginia Union family while MIR. Thomas
Seldom is democrat of the straightest stripe,
his father, James A. Sedden having been Con-
federate secretary of war. Colonel Parsons wore
the blue, Mr.. Sedden wore the gray. The two
make Southern team of remarkable political
strength, aud Colonel Parsons being in the city,
L Calleu upon MIN 10 Il lullGl
of the aims and objects of the proposed southern
protection convention. Hewas in quite hurry,
but said he would consent to be interviewed de-
sirous Of recognizing the great service the "Her-
ald'' has rendered the South and the country by
opening its columns to the freest, most non-par
tizan and effective discussion that the people
haye listened to in twenty years.
-What is the full significance of the moye>
ment instituted by yourself and Mr.. Sedden
towards a new organization in the South?" l
asked Aa
''Neither Mr.. Sedden nor myself" said Col-
onel Parsons, shave assumed to institute any
movement. We have been requested to speak
for others who believe that it is time for the
South to assert herself and explain her position.
All we have done in the correspondence refer
red to is TO prepare the way for petition and to
suggest, if it be sufficiently signed a place for
conference. If at least one thousand represen-
tative men sign this authority convention will
be called. Otherwise this movement will end
with this correspondence. M
"What is the prospect as to signatures"
awe are sending out slips to furnace men and
mine owners, and the indications are that sew
eral thousand names will be obtained"
"It is suggested that there will be a third party
formed in the South?'
"No one thinks of this. We have been mis-
represented in Congress and before the nation.
All we expect to do is to secure an honest rep
resentaton of the high tariff views of our people,
whether the representatives be democrats or re-
publicans, and to convince the world that fair
argument and fair election may be held in the
South. If the convention is called we shall
invite Mr.. Randall and Mr.. Mckinley to speak
We have reason to expect one of the strongest
conventions of men that ever met upon the
American continent We have vast region
here that is not the home of planters, that has
no aristocracy, that is peopled with vigorous
race-men of Drawn and BRAIN able to work
themselves and utilize the cheaper labor that
flows from the cotton fields. This uplifted
plane, averaging nearly two thousand feet above
the level of the sea- reaches from Wheeling to
Birmingham and from Atlanta to Huntington
Its area is larger than New York and New
England combined. The Goals of West Vir-
ginia cover an area larger than Massachusetts,
the seams are 40 feet thick. The hematite ores
bordering the Valley of Virginia extend TO
Alabama, in almost unboroken leads a distance
greater than from Montreal to Washington
Draw line frum Wheeling to Sheffield, through
coal, iron, gypsum, salt, zinc, manganese and
marble, and forge, mine or quarry might stand
been rapid beyond precedent. In my county Of
Rockbridgc, Va, new furnace producing 2C0
tons OF ore day goes into operation this week,
and three new furnaces are already started. In
Allegheny county there is present output OF
100000 tons year, drawing 100000 tons from
the mines. In Roanoke and along the Norfolk
| & Western railroad there is even more rapid de-
yelopnent, and beyond Chattanooga and Biz
ming new furnaces light the Southern sky. The
question is not of power to produce, but OIL
| place to sell"
| "What would you propose in that directon?'
| 'sNot TO invade the northern and western mar.
Sets, but to protect by tariff home markets
and to open the way to new markets southwark
as there a 6libustering spirit still in the
| land?''
ayes, but not to be proven by the old methods
| We hope 10 see the day when there will be free
| trade with Mexico, Central and South America
upon conditions Of uniform tariff against the
outer world, for into these markets the ne"
n
advantage"
"What wrong has been committed that would
warrant SO important a semi-poitical move>
ment?"
.sOf the thirty>threc congressional districts
referred to, and nearly every one instructed in
favor of high tariff. nearly every member voted
for horizontal reduction and tariff reform"
"What great result can come from uniting
these districts?''
"They will hold the balance of power in future
congresses"
allow would this balance of power affect the
present national parties?"
at would strengthen the Republican party in
the first instance by breaking up the solid South.
IL SHt DCHCiil tHC iICiiioIidto III thS 'NNSH't
instance by breaking up the solid North. III
any event, it would have power to protect our
industries and our people, and to assert with
dignity and decisive result the determination of
the great body of men who believe that govern
mens were made for the people, and that our
highest patriotism lies in the direction OF general
prosperity
GLOW are General Pryor's views, as published
in the "IIerad," received in the South"
General Pryor has expressed what was in
the thoughts of ten thousand Democrats in the
South lie has not spoken SO much to the South
as for the South, and has rendered the South
new and incaculable service
$40 you think General Pryor will be present
at the proposed convention?" '"-
"IIe will certainly be invited"
s'You seem to think there have been great
changes in the South" -'
"There was not railroad track or bridge
across Mason and Dixons line in 1860; not a
passenger or pound of freight could enter or
leave the South without change of cars. Today
forty-eight railroads cross that line of uniform
gauge, and the boundary line between the north
and south is utterly Destroyed
ZEN a