The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-02-20
JtRuFRS and TfRJFF Reform.

FIRNERS md TfRJFF REFORN.
There was at least one sentence in the letter
which Governor Russell, of Massachusetts,
addre->cd few days ago to ox-Pres'den'
Cleveland in approval Of the lnttcr's position
on the silver question. which should receive
tine careful attention Of farmers before they
allow their desire for free coinage TO blind
;he;n TO ri least one is,ie still more impor-
tant in it, bearing on Their general welfare. We
rsie, 70 the sentence in which the executive
of the Bav State declared that the supreme
question for settlement for all who were en-
gagged in the pursuit Of agriculture was the
question Of the tariff.
Governor Russell was entirely right in say
ing that all other public questions should be
subordinated in the minds Of farmers until
the burdens which the tariff imposes upon
them shall have been removed. Topermit
their attention to be diverted By free coinage,
would be 10 miss the fruits Of a victory which
had been gained by uncxampled energy ana
determination.
Tariff reform was the most conspicuous
issue Il the elections in November. The
overwhelming defeat Of the Republicans
in those elections was principally attributable
% the cooperation Of Northern and Western
tanners with the Democratic party, which So
cured Democratic majority in Congress, :nde-
pendenty Of The Southern members. What
were the influences that led to this coopera-
ton? # was undoubtedly a profound dissat-
isfaction with the inequalics Of the taHh,
which impoverished the agricultural classe-
bv rnisilg the prices Of everything which
they lad 10 buy. without increasing IN pro-
portion the amounts which they obtained Tor
what they had to sell. These inequalities
still exist, and are productive now Of the
same evils which have been fostering for so
nany years a spirit of discomfort among the
farmers
Arc they prepared at the moment when they
stand in full sight Of the promised land. that
is. of n complete reformation in orr tanh sys-
TEN. 10 turn back and wander indefinitely IN
the desert Of visionary schemes which are as
deusive and impalpabe as miragcs of green
fields and running waite, in the sands Of the
Sahara? viii they loosen their hold upon a
substance already ycIyneTlyin their full pos
session to grasp at a shadow;
Remoyc this question of free coinage from
the arena Of contemporary politics. and make
tariff reform the exclusive issue of the next
Presidential election, and who doubts but
that the success Of the Democratic party would
hc assured? The benefit 10. accrue to the
interests Of agriculture from a modification OF
tine tariff Is positively certain, because IT VIII
not only stimulate general international trade,
and thereby enlarge the markets tor products
Of the soil. but IT viii al once lower the cost Of
every article Of importance which the farmers
are compelled to purchase.
II seems from every point OF view most NM
wise in farmers to continUe ans policy which
will necessarily obscure the prospect of carly
lug tariff reform into practical operation.
The battle has been fought victory has been
won. Shall we be deprived of 'he Legitimate
fruits Of the hard fought contest by the i'ct
that differences Of opinion Oh an important
public question have arisen III the ranks o;
the successful army. which. unless adjusted
or dropped for time, will lead to discussions
which will place the Democratic party ut the
mercy of the enemy after the Encouragement
o. their broken and confused lines Of battle.
Il is with reluctance that We suffer ourselves
even for q momcn, To entertain such an anti
cipation "a this In the two years yet to
elapso before the Presidential election takes
place. the sober second Thought must come
which will unite every section Of the party
into one compact and invincihle whole