The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1896-09-03
THE FARMER

THERE e no denying the fact that
farming has ceased to be profitable. 1t
goes without saying that every one Is H.
terested in the prosperity of the agricul-
tural classes as agriculture is the chief
industry of the country and when tnati is
depressed all other interests are affected.
When the farming community and the
laboring classes are prosperous, prosper
ity is general as their prosperity contrib
utes to, as well as being one of the results
of general property.
What has caused the decline in the
prosperity of farmers? That is the ques-
ton which needs careful consideration.
The cause should be sought by business
sense and not by partisan prejudice.
There is a cause and the remedy cannot
be applied until that CT use is discovered.
The search should not be made in a party
spirit, not as a democrat, a republican or
a popnlist, but in good faith and in hon
esty. II IS simply question Of business
II which prejudice should take no part
There is danger IN Jumping at conclu-
sions. There is danger in attributlng the
depression to wrong causes. Working on
& false theory will simply aggravate tn e
difficulty. The farmer cen become pros
perous only through general prosperity
and what tenGs 10 restore that will Ger
tainly better his condition. How TO re-
store that prosperity should be the first
thought of every farmer who has his own
interest at heart.
The farmer will make a serious mistake
if he believes IN Coins arguments that
price OF farm produce is low became the
price of silver has declined. That is
making the lees interest more important
than the larger. 1t is the argument of
the mine owners who are interested in
advancing the price OF their product.
They are dead sure of benefit to them
from free coinage, but they seek TO fool
the farmer and gain his assistance by
arguing that he Will he benefited. The
Z
lists and with Just the same results, bene-
fit TO those directly protected, argument
only for the farmer.
The value Of the agricultural products
of the United States each year is many
hundred times greater than all the gold
and SILVER mined in the world during the
same time. Why does not the farmer in
sist that silver has deprecated IN value
because farm products have suffered re
duction? lie not the argument fully as
sound? Let the farmer say to the mine
owners who want the law 10 double the
debt paying power of thel" product.
"IIelp us to secure a law which will
double the debt paying power of bushel
OF wheat, and the general prosperity
which is sure to follow Will raise the
price Of silver. The value of our pro
ducts is q thousand times as great as
yours; why should you ask us to help in
doubling the value of your prodnct which
is insignificant compared with ours. You
"dIJ a. Cci bslIIlb SlfibS ne stt 'JCct' a
chance. There are thousands Of men IN
our occupation TO the one IN yours.
Surely the larger interest should first be
considered. We have been told for years
that taxing ourselves IN the interest Of
protected Industries would be of benefit
TO us. But it has not. You want pro-
lection now beyond anything heretofore
asked. the creation of law which will
double the value of what you have to sell
and certainly at the expense of the gen
eral public because the law can enrich
no one unless at the expense of another
We are not to be fooled any more. If we
are to benefited by class legislation, we
want it TO come direct Oy doubling the
debt paying power of what ire raise not
what you raise. Then we will be certain
of benefits as you would be with free
coinage"
Why DO not the farmers use that argu-
ment? Is it not just as sensible, just as
honest as the arguments used by the sill
yer mine owners? We have farmers IN
large numbers in Wisconsin; we have but
comparatively few who are interested in
silver mines. But if we are TO pass dis
honest law, land 1t certainly would be
dishonest to double the debt paying
power Of a bushel of wheat,) let rs have
he excuse that we are extending a bene
fit to many instead of to a few, TO our
own people instead of to comparative
strangers.
Has the farmer ever given any seriOus
thought as to how free coinage Is going
to benefit him? Every one comedies that
the change in our financial system viii
cause serious disturbance There should |
be a certainty OF some good resulting to
compensate for the disturbance which |
even silverltes admit will take place for a /
time. Has the farmer figured ont IN |
what way this complete change n the fin
ancial system is going to help him. Ii he |
beneves 1t is going to help him ne should |
be able 10 state IN what way. Let him |
be not mislead by glib talk about money |
sharks and Wall street. His interests /
are not in Wall street but on the farm. |
His mission Is not to reform the world /
but TO look after his own interests. to /
save money il he can, to make living /
anyway. The silver mine owner does not |
care snap for HIM. He should not tear |
his hair in the interests or the mine OWL /
er And when the mine owner asks him /
to act dishonesty and To aid in giving 80
cents debt paying power of one dollar
in the interests of the mine owner he |
should tell him to so to Hades.