The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-01
PROTECTION.
A NEW IDEA.
a HALIFAX FARMER SPEAKS FOR HIS
BRETHREN.

can speak, | wish to speak to every
farmer and laborer in the country.re-
gardless Of race, color, or previous
condition.
Let Us first realize cur danger and
consider our condition seriously and
see if there is any chance for escape.
1t is useless TO discuss why we are
thus situated though l will allude
to it briefly.
Some politician tells US that It Is
the tariff, which may he partly true.
Lawyers, ductors, editors and some
few other people tell Us 1t is planting
too mach cotton and too little corn
and small grain. this Is partly
true also. But what are we to pay
these people with? They charge as
much for their services now as they
did when cotton was worth fifteen
cents q pound besides low prices of
grain are peri5hipg cut our Western
farmers.
After giving the middle man as
much for handling their grain as
farmers get for making it, then it
sells for less than we can make it
with hired labor giving labor living
wages.
Merchants formerly told us it was
bad crops--times would soon be
better; but since they have gotten
most farmers In their grasp, they
say it is laziness and extravaganza.
And when we complain and say
farming does not pay they say, with
meaning that cannot be misundcr>
stood, that we mast farm for they
will not feed US to do any other
work. To some more fortunate
brother who has managed to escape
their clutches as yet, they say it is
only bad crops. What you owe US
will be all right--just be quiet. Their
real meaning is,be quiet until we can
get full control Of some others, and
chem we will take Charge of you.
l admit that all the above reasons
are partly true, but | must say the
main reasons are, that we as farmers
have too much confluence in other
people and not enough IN each other,
We do not show our independence
as much IS we should and demand
what we are partly entitled to. Final
| ly, farmers have accepted such prices
and weights as others choose TO offer
until they have no voice in prices
and weights of what they sell and
buy and they often pay men big
prices to cheat them.
Can any business prosper when
the products are sold at auction?
Are not farmers compelled to sell
their produce to the highest bidders,
anG that too on a flooded market?
Can we pay debts, or even live un~
der such circumstances? We can
not; and our children must soon 90
into slavery, unless there Is some
relief.
We see ourselves in bad plight
and We are seeking remedies. The
Alliance is good one and | have
great confidence in its success; and
| believe if farmers will be true to
themselves, they can accomplish un-
told good. Bat let me see if l can
not point out another source from
which we can get help, and prove to
every honest man that we are en-
titled to it,
Does not the Government in some
way or other protect every other in
dustry than farming? Are we not
IS much entitled to aid from the
Government as any other class OF
people? When its protection to some
is detrimental to the farmer would
| it be treason for farmers and labor
crs to ask aid of the Government IN
this hour Of need, especially when it
will not damage the Government or
irjure any other business? Woul2
not sucI course, entirely unOhjeC-
tUnable rs to others, be plausible
when it will relieve farmers of their
embarrassment, enable them to re-
-leem their lands, pay labor living
wages, and revive every other busi-
ness?
Now. can the Government help as
above intimated? If so, what would
be the most equitable way?
Let each State appoint a CONS
mitte", composed Of the most in
telligent farmers, t meet st some
convenient point, I'D let trem say
what would be fair price for every
necessary produce Of certain grades
anG if the farmer cannot sell at
that Dlice let the Government make