The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-09-01
FREE TRADE.
ga grIcoIa'' Claims overmuch for Cal
hOunism-Takes Exception 10 The
Press and Standards Position.
Walterboro Press and Standard.

Walterboro Press and Standard.
Editor Press and Standard: In your paper
of August i we notice, as from the editorial
pen the following sweeping assertions, which:
coming from one whose views nave, ano
prise prise and NJ are startling indeed, as they poin,
strongly to the dangerous tendency TO sweep
away ali principles in politics save the Idea
of making everything,,the public wei
servient i to individual advancement and the
You say "the craftsmanship of Calhoun was
from the standpoint Of slavery and all his
principles have been overshadowed and rele.
gated 10 the rear. Slavery having passed
away. the cornerstone of his doctrine has
been removed" -
character and political career of this great
man have been observed when the searcher
after truth could arise from the study enter
tanning such sentiment. TO "relegate TO
the rear" all the high and noble teachings OF
this high and beloved statesman would be tC
deal a death blow 70 the loftiest principles OF
purity and self denying Industry In the cause
OF intelligence, and honest government. such
an idea once permitted TO take hold OF the
public mind, disaster dire and speedy, would
be the result.
So far from relegating such political prin
ciples as Calhoun's ITO the rear" our hope
rests In better promulgating and more fully
sound, and to quote from another paragraph
of lhe essay alluded to, las sound principles
they will survive the everlasting hills and
spread their blessings among the people more
and more as we succeed in exposing error and
turning on more and more the steady clear
light of everlasting truth"
Which OF the principles Of Calhoun are un
worthy OF respect and void OF influence
Again we read: ut is certain that no free
trader is in favor OF developing manufac
tories In the south"
This is indeed news to us, who can furnish in
our own person an example, to disprove tho
assertion and expose It's fallacy. How does
free trade oppose the full development o.
every industry pr0motive OF the wealth, hap
plness and growth OF nation? How does
our being able to buy what we want In the
open market of the world 80 enjoying to the
utterm ost the benefit OF competition In its
fullest sense, with the ability OF selling In the
same way, 30 placing our transaetlons io,n upon upon
price is controlled chiefly by the law Of sup
ply and demand, make US antagonistic TO the
building of factories? Because, forsooth,
would buy my shoes. my clothes and my
groceries, with my farming tools where
could get them the fcheapest. I u.s., says the
writer, be opposed to the building Of factories
among US. ! fail 10 see the deep underlying
principles upon which such an argument is
based.
Perhaps you say that free trade will bring
our laboring population In competition with
| the cheaper labor OF older countries, to the
injury OF our laborers. Such reasoning in my
opinion is an insult to the yoemanry OF oul
land, who, with an even chance, are fully able
| To hold their own against the laborers o.
any other land. But you must give him fail
play and not force him to sell his products 81
low rates TO American buyers, or II he refuses
| to do so, to be Informed by the shrewd and
protected manufacturer that he can get wha
he wants thl ough the agent OF some foreign
house; while, on the other hand, the same
perty returning later to buy what he needs
| finds prices high. and on attempting to use
| the same argument and buy from the agent
| of the foreign house, finds the merchant telling
him with smile that he can DO no better, al
the tariff will force the foreign house to come
up TO the same figures-indeed that perhaps
| he can do q little better than his foreign
neighbor as he has produced bis goods on ne
greater cost than formerly, and thai the ad
ditional price Is Imply bonus or gift fol
benefit. And 80 1t Is, that the producer OF
laborer enjoys the full benefit ofthe tariff al
| both ends Of the transaction.
| Again comes The most wonderful OF all these
newly found shortcomings: He fails In the
desire ito furnish profitable employment fol
deserving citizenB who need the opportunity
to work." Oh! Mr.. Editor am afraid tina
you fail TO understand the character, the mo-
| Il YES and the heart OF our sturdy, horny hand
edkfree traders. whose only political offence IL
that having found their noses getting pinch
eel and tender they will not allow .themselVei
| to be led by them any longer, but are think
ing and acting for them selves, and 30 causing
alarm among the syndicates, trusts and de
votees OF manmon. and desire to restore Il
our beloved country pure, honest and up
right government as made by her patriotic
| founders.
Make nc mistake, Mr.. Editor. The princi
pies and especially the political principles, o
such men as Washington, Jefferson Calhoun
and their peers, can never be "relegated to tn,
rear" or noticed "only as ancient history
Better, far better. make them the daily
| studies of your youth as the basis upor
which TO build those temples at whose affairs
| In future years. they may bring offerings o
undedled patriotism, as devotees u the hon
est development OF their country's resour
ces and sincere guardians OF the harmony and
purity OF their government
| Pardon me Mr. Editor, started to give yol
| in brief the statement that along the rive
| shore From Charleston to Walterboro tht
farmers are In good heart and the crops ma
turing with bright prospects OF an aoundan
harvest; the people are In good health Will
their animals sleek and well, save where II
few instances, cholera is killing some hogs
Abundant rains have made the tempera
ture undesirable.
| FodderstrippIng Is all that Is being done
and the farmer are enjoying much needed
| rest.
In conclusion Mr.. Editor, let me beg you t.
continue to wrestle with the ve1ed question o
political principles. with the hope that III
may "relegate to the rear" the mushrooms o
yesterday and restore such as are typified b,
the palmetto OF old and the sturdy unbend
lnS oak. Sincerely yours, Agricola.