Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-05-20
70 Des+rov American industries.

To Destroy American Industries.
1t is not necessary to resort to specua-
tion, conjecture or prophesy to divine the
purpose of the free trade Democrats in
the present Congress. They openly de-
clare the object at which they aim and
proceed to formulate measures to reach
it. They expose the meaning of "tariffI
reform" SO that he who runs may read.
They placard an object lesson for every
body to study-one that none but the
wiliully blind or stupidity ignorant can
tail to understand. As an illustration OF
the motive and what is intended, we have
only to take Mr.. Harter, member of Con-
qress from Ohio. at his word, as declared
in Congress on the eth. He introduced
several resolutions directing the Ways
and Means Committee to "report to the
House bills placing the following articles
on the free list: Agricultural implements,
naper and board made from straw, wheat,
flonr, lead in the ORE shark, machinery
sugars upon which the law requires tarln
duties, iron and copper ores" This is a
wholesale sweep at the whole industrial
system of this country. 1t means the de-
struction of the manufactures of all ma
chinery for the farm, and the building up
If similar industries 10 foreign countries
and consequently the employment OF
foreign labor to make the implements
nsed on American farms. 1t means The
destruction of the market afforded by the
paper factories for the straw grown on
American farms an invitation to the ID
crease of the wheat and flour products o.
India. Australia, Russia, Canada, and al
other wheat growing countries upon
which now a duty of 20 per cent. is LEVIED
as a protection to home wheat growers
and the closing of the copper mines OF th'
lake section and Missouri, and the irol
mines of Virginia, and other iron district
of the United States. 1t practically say
that the wages paid labor in this country
must be reduced to the rate paid foreigl
labor. or our mining industries be great.
crippled, if not totally destroyed. VIVA
will the mine owners and the mine work
ers say of this kind Of American states
manshipl Are they prepared to accep
such radical assault upon not only tn
IRON interest, but the farming lnteres
generally, as we'll as the manufacturing
establishments of this country, to th
end that like foreign interests may b
subserveG, foreign labor employed ant
foreign industries encouraged? 1t seem
to ns that this movement of Harter ough
to open the eyes of the people OF Virgins
and the South; to riyet their thoughtful
attention, stimulate their careful stud,
of the propositions, and to impel them t.
aggressive action. If they are prepared t
surrender the Industrial advantages w
hold, then they ought to 60 along witt
Mr.. Harter, and those who think Will
him. If they prefer to see prospeTou
American institutions; to encourage
American development to assist in main
tanning the integrity and adding to tn
wealth of their own Nation, they ough
to call halt to such ruinOus policy a
IS involved in the propositions we are nc
ting, and band themselves together IRE
spective of parties, to defend American
interests, protect American labor ant
promote American prosperity. How an!
one who is imbued with respect an'
reverence for this great country, can hes
itate as to the side he will take and TIT
influence he will seek to exert, when sucl
measures as Mr.. Harter projects, are mad'
an issue, we cannot unJerstand.-JdHe!
| Vir1iRidn.