The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-08-08


farmer could purchase five pounds o
sugar for one pound of wool. Now the
same weight of wool pays for three
pounds of sugar. Protection, the grea'
courted by a majority of Ohio farmers
they naturally expected to see the prict
of their commodities materially in
creased, and such an adjustment o
values as would speedily bring them tc
realiz alton of prosperity and opulen
cy. when its extreme champions were
place d in power But. judging from
the constant complaints coming from
the rural districts, the golden hsrvests
of wealth. promised by the cunning
prOtectionists, has been deferred to
some more convenient season. The
condition of the farmer is that of every
labOrer. Both are alike destitute of an
adequate market for their products and
capital; both have suffered constant
decline in prices for what they have to
sell, aud the great mass of them are
absolutely at the mercy of wealthy cor.
pOratiOns and combines who have
concentrated their immense power un.
der the name of trusts for the express
purpose of reducing laborers wages on
the one hand, and enhancing the price
of their goods made by the same labor.
and cheapening everything as much
as possible that enters into the cOmpo.
sition of their wares, on the other ;
both are systematically and merci.
iessly taxed by these wealthy cormo.
rants, for whose interests the Repub.
lican party has ever legislated, the
creature being controlled by the creator.
James G Blaine says that trusts are
private affairs, in the creation and
operation of which the people have no
concern; Andrew Carnegie laborious-
ly undertakes to justify them and far
Dish satisfactory apology for their
existence. Both are eminent Repub-
licans and represent the policy and
sentiment of their party. But all the
while agriculture and labor must suf
fer, and their industrious followers be
obliged to deny themselves and fami-
lies of needed rest and recreation, in
order to further protect these in.
fant industries" that have been so
long fed and supported by the laboring
people, that they now threaten to be-
come a serious menance to the indie.
pendent existence of the tOiling masses
Farmers and laborers, as long as you
continue to play into their hands, so
long will they continue to deceive you
by raising false issues and making false
representations and promises. until
they are so strongly intrenched as to
be practically irresistible. Where are
the good times that were promised you
so faithfully by the orators of sophistry
and fraud, who went about last Fall
abusing one of the best administrations
this country ever had, and hurling
their anathemas at Democratic States.
men, who they declared were going to
ruin the country by free trade2 Are
the times any better than when the
Democratic party, under Grover Cleve-
land, administrated the affairs of our
government? Are they as good? Your
own experience emphatically answers,
no. Think of it! Your condition
growing worse the farther the progress
of this great protection admins
tration, the Inauguration of which
millions of dollars were contributed
with the same ease you could donate
one dollar to a worthy purpose. Is il
to be supposed that this great wealth
was freely offered on the altar of IS Pro
lection" for YOUR benefit. or tha
YOUR condition actually induced suct
men as Carnegie, Wanamaker and 1
host of other protected milliOnaires Il
inaugurate nne of the most aggressive
campaigns ever made by the Republi
can party and spend millions of dollar
in corrupting the vote of doubtful state
to insure its triumph? Experience i
dear teacher, and as the time ap
proaehes when the people shall again
determine their choice between tn
tive great parties, the very means tina
elevated the Republican party to it
last ascendancy will prove its over
| throw.