The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-03-13
In a Nut Shall

The American EconomiM places the
protective policy in nut shell. in the
following brief paragraph:
Diversity farm industries, supply our own ma
terial Tor our own factories including American
leather fof American Shoes American wool fo1.
American coats, American linen Tor American
shirts and continue the fight to devotion Ameri-
can sugar for American breakfast tables There
is power enough in legislation to divert our
present deluge of cereal production into proper
channels, thus relieving our markets OF their
present surplus, and insuring living prices for
the diminished quantity, making us indepen-
dent economically, as are politically of all
other countries.
In another article, the same publica-
ton treats of the farmer and protection.
and concludes it with the following forci-
bic statements
Farmers are now suffering from unprecedent-
ly low prices for wheat, and corn, and pork.
Looking about for relief, some OF them call for
lower duties on imports with the hope of there
by securing larger foreign demand and more
exports. This delusion is encouraged by our
opponents, and our position is weakened by en-
PERTAINING propositions to lower the barriers
which now defend important industrial inter
ests, iron ore, wool, manufactured lumber, &c
These propositions tending to depreSs d-
verSli1ed industries and thereby reduce wages,
are indirect blows at the welfare of our farm
erS, and there should be no delay in MAKING this
fact wen understood. They menace the only
considerable market, and threaten to diminish
the only Important demand possible for Ameli-
can products. Not many years ago we could
look to Europe for a market for our surplus, at
fair prices. But to day, with cheap rates of
tran non ~ ard and f,I,a
freight to European markets, and the lowest
possible prices for our farm commodities we
cannot compete successfully with the products
of Russia, India and South America. The mar
velous development of facilities forces trans
portation, and the Increasing products of these
semi civilized lands enable them to supply Ell
ropean markets at prices impossible for Ameri-
can farmers to meet
The home market then is the great market,
the chief market worth considering-a the
party, which, under any pretence, aims to I'M
pair its consuming power, should be denounced
as the enemy OF agricultural prosperity, and the
enemy of all American industries. The census
OF 1890 viii show that the American people are
now producing useful products of the value of
not less than Sli,0O0,000G00 annually. Our total
exports amount to $.00,0O,0G, about, or say 5
per cent. only. The census will also show that
we are turning out mining and manufacturing
products worth about $1.000,000.000 annually. OF
these we export probably $l40M00tO or about
two per cent The home market takes IS per
cent of our total productions and IS per cent.
of our manufacturing and mining products.
The value of our home market, and hence its
power to consume our productions, depe@s
wholly and absolutely on the earning power OF
our people. We can command foreign markets
freely by reducing wages one half Thereby we
can have a larger export trade, and the men
engaged in foreign commerce, in unproductive
industry in our great seaports can reap har
vests of wealth. But the earning power of the
people in all branches of productive industry
will be cut down in proportion.
Is it possible that any faction or political party
oan live when the people comprehend that this
is their purpose, or the inevitable consequence
of their policy?
The Protectionists of the United States stand
on impregnable ground. Their principles it in
diligently and courageousy defended, cannot
be successfully assailed; and they have album
dant opportunities, in the theories and argu-
ments of their opponents, for Irresistible at
tacks Let us, then, hear of no more apologies
and no more concessions of principle. We have
the right on our side. and nothing but lack Of
courage and of spirit can defeat us.