Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-10-10
ALL SHOULD REJOICE.

The most important and far-reachlnp
legislation that has been enacted during
the past quarter of century, is the tariff
bill. 1t is especially important to the
South, and Virginia particularly. 1t will
establish the commercial and Industrial
supremacy of the United States oyer all
the governments of the world. 1t invites
the South to an important position in the
industrial affairs of the nation. 1t will
add millions to the wealth of Virginia and
enhance the value ten-fold of every acre
of her iron-ribbed mountains. The pro-
verbal "booms" which have startled the
mOss-backs from their repose, and evoked
from them predictions OF dire calamitIes.
are but bubbles to tkat which will come
under the inspiration of this great
economic measure. There is not public
enterprise, which has for ITS object the
development of the resources and the ion.
provement of the conditions of the State,
that will not feel the impulse and spring
forward under an assurance that the
financial and business structure upon
which all trade relations must be based,
is now doubly secure, and must remain
so for decade at least. Confidence will
prevade every ramifcation Of enterprise.
New life will be projected into every
relation of business. All avenues OF trade,
al classes of people, will feel the pulsa-
ton of fresh vitality in the assurance of
stability and permanency to our monetary
system, as we'll as our industrial future,
because the principles and policy which
have brought us to our present condition
Of unexampled wealth and prosperity
have been crystalized into law, which
cannot be changed for half the life of a
generation to come.
1t rings out the glad news that our
American Congress has had the courage
aud the craftsmanship and the patriotism
to declare for an American policy, that
will place the American government IN
advance, lndustrially and financially, of
all the powers of the globe.
Our grand old State will largely share
in this prosperity. Her marvellous mOnn-
tains of iron will become more valuable
than the mines of gold to the Pacific slope.
Every foot OF her mineral lands will have
its value greatly increased, and capital
will pour in to seize upon that which has
lain dormant for centuries to convert il
into sources of wealth and prosperity.
90 on with their projects with the assur-
ance that the future holds in store results
far SURPRISING anything heretofore realiz
ed, There il to be no relaxation. no
cessation of the pnsh and adventure which
have SO recently taken hold of our people ;
capital can safely be invested In any
movement which has for its basis the
mineral resources of our section. Enter
prise may discard its timidIty and doubt,
for there is nothing surer in the future
than that Virginia, and especially this
part of it, is to forge forward on the lines
of industrial development and progress
with assurances that could never before
be vOuchsafed.
The old stockings and drawers may
be safely emptied at their hidden treas
ures to participate in the "bOOms." for
the conditions which are now III reach
will return compensation such as was
never before realized.
We have, indeed, entered upon q new
dispensation one created and founded
upon the most assuring facts and we Will
reap the rewards as we address ourselves
with nerve and confidence to avail of the
opportunities presented.
Virginia has a grand future before her,
and all should rejoice that the American
Congress has had the courage and the
craftsmanship to enact into law q policy
that must assnredly work out the most
splendid results for the Commonwealth
and all of her people.
As Mr.. Dingley, of Maine, stated, when
the passage of the bill was announced
at will increase the prosperity of the
country admits of no doubt" While 1t
protects American labor. with one or two
exceptions it still reduces the average
the Mills bill. When the Mckinley bill
becomes law nearly so per cent OF the
imports into the United States will be
absolutely free of duty This will give
the country the largest measure of Gree
dom of trade" ever accorded by any tariff
in this country Even under the 80 called
Glow tariff" of 1876 the imports free of
duty were only % per cent. Under the
tariff of 1883 they have been 80 per cent.
Under the Mills bill the free goods would
have been only 40 per cent. while under
the Mckinley bill nearly so per cent. of
the imports will come IN free. 1t reduces
the burdens Of the people while helping
home industries II is bill that not only
reduces the revenue abont 100000 900
year, bat II also reduces the average rate
Of duty on all imports, which, of course, is
the true measure of tariff, from 80 per
cent. ad yalorem under the present law
10 q per cent. against 281 per cent. pro
posed by the Mills bill. And while doing
his the bill has been so drawn as to en-
the production and manufacture
in this country of more than 100000, 900
worth of goods and products now made
md PRODUCED abroad, and brought to this
country Vailey Vnginian.