The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-02-15
A. S. OF {. PROTESTS
Continued From page one.


these same interests prompted by a
firm determination to make the farm
ers bow to their will are actively sup
porting the proposed tariff agreement
with Canada and using 1t as a subter-
fuge with which to gather about them
more recruits to help carry out their
deep laid plot Trade operations under
| such an agreement as the Canadian
reciprocity bill will stop an otherwise
possible increase in the production of
farm products in the United States,
proportionate to our increase in popu-
lation and gradually change the source
or supply from the Mississippi pasin
to the western plains of Canada.
| With the tariff removed on raw farm
products but retained on manufactured
| articles, and the source of supply NOV
ed further away from our centers OF
population. 1t is difficult to see how
our brethren in the cities are going
to profit much from any possible re-
duction in the cost Of living.
The proposed Canadian reciprocity
agreement is a nefarious concoction
by manufacturers and middIemen,
which II swallowed by congress will
be a means Of widening the already
wide chasm between producer and
consumer rather than causing any ma
teriRl reduction in the cost OF living
Regardless OF whether the farmers now
are free traders or protectionists, IL
must be admitted that after having
helped 10 build up infant manufactur-
ing industries" by their stand on the
tariff question, ii is base ingratitude
to say the least. on the part Of the
manufacturers and the agencies that
work with them, to ask that the protec-
ton wall be torn down in front Of raw
farm products and retained on the
manufactured articles.
When the commercial interests of
our country will come within a mile
OF sacrificing what the farmers are
asked to sacrifice in this reciprocity
proposition, for the sake Of inaugural
ing a national reciprocity policy, the
farmers will be found actively support
Ing such move. But until such q
time comes, l believe the American
farmer will take his cue from George
Elliott's little epigram:
"Self-sacrifice is well enough but
don't give yourself to be melted over
for the tallow trade"
IL our farming is the foundation
upon which our countrys prosperity
and welfare depends, and not only a
handy theme for poetry and political
oratory, then the ratification of the
Canadian reciprocity bill Is equivalent
to killing the goose that laid the golden
egg, or driving a willing horse to
death.
l believe that the mass Of consum-
ers OF farm products in our cities will
agree with me that it is true that if
the farmer is stunned, the rest of the
people will be stunted. and that IL they
have time to give the matter careful
consideration, they will join hands
with the farmers in asking for repre-
sentatives in congress by mail and
otherwise, to turn down the proposed
Canadian tariff agreement, and demand
In the place of that political sop that
congress provide without delay for a
gradual, genuine and fair reduction OF
the tariff or at least a reciprocity
proposition that has a semblance of
reciprocity in 1t for all parties con-
cerned. The farmers that compose our
organization protest most emphatically
against the ratification and believe IL
not only their duty but their privilege
to ask their friends TO show their
friendship not only by having their
votes Enthusiastically recorded against
the ratification of this agreement, but
by hard work against it as we'll