Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-06-10
Hope for the Farmer.

Under the heading above, the Lynchburg
AGvance says that call the indications
point to the advent of better times for the
farmer in the immediate future. The i'm
proved agricultural outlook ia due partly
to fortuitous circumstances. Already the
prices of farm products are higher than
have been for some time, and they are like.
ly to remain high and even to go up higher.
At the same time the prices for what the
farmer has to buy will remain stationary,
except so far as they are necessarily en-
HANGED by the operation of the Mckinley
tariff. The first and most obvious cause of
the increased price of farm products is the
antic ipated shortage in the European har-
vest. 1t now seems certain that Europe
will be compelled to import millions of
bushels of grain within the next twelve
months to feed her crowded population. 1t
is an ill wind that blows good to nobody.
In this clse ths American farmer Is the
beneficiary. Not on account of. but in
spits OF, the high tariff, Europe will have 10
look to America to furnish the bread to
keep her from starving, aud Of course the
increased foreign demand, while the home
consumption remains undiminished, will
have the effect of 'ising prices and inarses
ing the profits of the American farmer. 1t
may be remarked in passing that the def
cent harvest of Europe will bring With it
soma compensation to Europeans them
selves. It diminishes the probability of
general war as nations will be slow to en-
gage in war fare with restricted food sup
ply. It may be safely assumed therefore
that the peace of Europe will not be broken
within the next twelve months. This
cause of the increase of prices is one over
which the farmers themselves had no con-
troll. There is another brought about by
the action of the farmers thems elves. The
low prices which have prevailed for the
past five years have. discouraged agricultur-
al enterprise and tended to reduce produc.
ton. Many farmers have deserted the farm
in disgust and gone to seek fortune in
other fields of labor. This has reduced the
output, and there is no accumulated reserve
to keep down prices. 1t cannot be denied
that the farmer has had hard. time for the
past five years, and'everybody would re-.
joice to SEGA season of prosperity set in for
him. 1t is our firm conviction that the
country at large cannot permanently pros
per if the agricultural class be depressed.
is in the last analysis, the foun-
dation of national prosperity. We cannot
forbear in this connection uttering a warn
ing word to the farmers. Republican
speakers and writer's will hasten to take ad-
vantage of the opportunity and clsim that
the improvement in your condition has
been brought about by Republican states
1t is the policy aud practice of
these gentlemen to claim everything. I'll
the seasons are propitioas during a Repub-
.ican administration the very bounty of ma
ture is attributed to Republican wisdom |
and foresight, and if any disaster befalls
the country by the direct agency of natural |
causes while Democrats rule, the blame is
1t once thrown upon the Democratic party
1t will require but a moments reflection to
convince you that the improvement in your
financial prospects is brought about not by
Republican good management, but in spite
If adverse Republican legislation"