Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1890-01-17
They Abandon The Farmers.


have occurred during the tariff inquiry
in progress before the Ways and Means
Committee, not the least among which
is the change Of base by Carlisle. Mills
and other leading Denocra among the
free traders. The solicitude % these
gentlemen has hereiofOre been exhibited
mainly for tie farmers, and this has
been the cry Of the most blatant free
trade journals. The farmers mist be
protected at all hazards from the or Tsp
ing monopoists created by the tariff,
has been the burden of these Democratic
papers. and in some quarters their sym
paihy has been accepted as sincere and
the farmers persuaded against their own
practical experience that they are griev-
ously wronged But the testimony
taken few days ago by the committee
not only staggered the champions Of free
trade, but forced them to shift their
positions.
Tn, wool growers Of Texas. who are
not accused Of having any special predi-
lection for RepuHFrHnism. stated that
though thew vottd'Tr Cleveland in 1881.
they were obliged. in order to protect
their own interests, tn vote against him
in 1893 because. had lie been elected.
they expected to have to part with their
property at sacrifice, il not IL lose it
altogether One went az far MS 10 say
that he wagelei his entire flock af sheep
IF many thousands the result because
If he had lost the Let by the election of
Cleveland. his sheep would have been
Werih nothing. anyhow. Carlisle and
Mills both tried their hands at cross
questioning. but IN every encounter got
the worst Of it, aud finally shifted their
solicitude from the farmer 20 the agri-
cultural laborer. 50 that during all these
months they aud the journals that have
been follc wing their lead have been en-.
tirely mistaken in manufacturing sym
pathy for the farmer. He wants sheep
protected, but his laborers do not.
The tariff protects the agricultural
laborer in totally different way. and
now that the free traders have shifted
their ground. thew will find it very diff
cult to reconcile former arguments with
present emergencies, and may yei wish
that they had clung TO their old theory.
in spite of the memorable logic Of facts.
The ahorer's wages are affected by the
high wages in every branch Of industry,
which is mainly due to the existence Of
the tariff, the fact being that If the pub
lie could purchase cheaper goads manu-
Pictured by the pauper labor Of Europe,
they would let the American COOS alone
and allow the American laborer TO go to
AI..i~--------L-ls-- -aa~-zuns-
swers tiat al Protectianists will thank
him for pulling of the mask with which
opponents of protection strive to hide
the true meaning Of sheir theories For
many years this country produced more
cotton and wheat than it could consume,
and offered the surplus in the narkets Of
the world in vain Again and again
was production Of the great saplcs
checked because foreign markets could
not keep pace with American growta =
The progress and even the yety exist
encc Of industry turn, not ufou ability
to produce thugs choaply as suggested
bv Mr.. Gladstone, which is but one
way Of winning more consumers, but
upon finding a market for products aud
tabor. Proteclionists then decided to
foster those other inlu tries Which lf-
forded an additional market at home, for
the cotton aud corn. The result, as
y. ) : !. ! !;
der progress than any othe- nation has
ever attained. Mr. Gladstone's glowing
appreciation Of kin beyond sea" does
net prevent him from characterizing the
American policy as folly and robbery.
But his own persistent policy Of protee-
ton Of shipping and commerce is cited
in reply by MIR. Blaine ald his virtue is
shown to be one that Twill not stand
salt wa.er." Ii protection be robbery
Of the farmer. how comes il that the
farming States have grown more rapidly
in wealth. as Mr. Blaine shows, than
the manufacturing States for whnm ac-
cordipg to Mr. Gladstone they are pluu-
derea? Il protection be folly how comes
il that the Nations growth has been IN
comparahlv more Vigorous and rapid
ahd It's prosperity more asShfei. since
that policy was adopted and persisteu'ly
maintained than at any preyirus Time?
The ulea that consumers are iRinStly
taxed is answered hy abundant prnof
that the development Of American pro
duc,inn has wonderfully cheapcned the
products Of protected Industrious, not
merely here. ut throughout the civilz
ed world MIR Blaine leaves his antag
onis' nothing more To say When he ak.
"wherc would tie hundreds o tl,ou ans
of men engaged III making rtilS, hnd
other empl, yment. where wand the ar
mers who row feed them lig,l ano'her
adequate market. il this country were
TO close its mills!" Not even the match
less beauty Of Mr. Glaisonos dietot.
affords an answer.
~. b,l-.. ,I..,r 4 > IN