Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-03-24
We UnderseiI Canadian Farmers
In Their Own Markets.

The letter received from Senator Page
as a communication 10 yes
terday's issue of the Herald was q frank
request as TO the situation at home con
corning the most important subject of
reciprocity with Canada. Before ex-
pressing any individual views, the
Herald commends the spirit that prompt
ed an inquiry which carried with it q
sincere desire of arriving at the concen-
sus of State opinion and to this end, the
Herald invites communications from
the citizens of Vermont--farmers, man.
ufacturers, merchants and all who think
the question will prove of grave concern
to them.
As to the unqualified character Of the
Vermont farmers protest, it must be
said that those engaged in agricultural
pursuits along the border may see in
the agreement menace to their liveli-
hood, locally. What they probably fail
to recognize is that until Canada lays
up such surplus of products over and
above what is required for home con-
sumption, Vermont is not likely to sui.
fer by way of competition. 1t is true
that in the event of the reciprocity
measure passing both governments,
there might be falling off from the eI-
ports of farm produce into Canada tenn
porarily.
1t would be strange if this were not
to happen; but this happening should
serve to reassure the minds of the farm
ers as to the real significance of the act,
10y and large. Vermont farmers have
never been backward in responding TO a
countrywide call, They have ever
given freely of their best to meet patri,
otto demands and this without stint or
hope of reward. Any temporary disad.
vantage that might result to them could
easily be more than made up by new
sources of market requirements 10 New
England which, they may be sure, the
railroads would be only too willing to
make for them and at rates that would
Justify their confidence.
The needs of the country at large must
not give way to the selfish demands Of a
handful of citizens who, for the doubt
full advantage derived from temporary
benefit, would hamper the administra.
ton in purely non-partisan effort al
bringing about an era of increased pros.
perity to the nation.
lie. not the farmer or any other class
believe for one minute that the Yer.
mont newspapers have not their inter
ests at heart 1t is because the news
Lapers recognize that the basis OF our
State structure consists in the farm and
the farmer that we cordially invite opin.
ian aud open our columns thereto
When we say We invite written views
we do not mean to say that we encour.
age rash and Incorporate utterances
which will not tend to throw any ligh,
upon subject so deserving of delibera
ton as this.
What the Herald would like to
convey is the idea that, in the end, the
people of Vermont, whether engaged in
farming, manufacturing, wholesaling
retailing or what not will be benefited
by closer trade relations with our neigh
Dor on the north and this result will
occur more naturally in the case of Yer.
mont and the New England border
States than the Northwestern States BY
reason of natural transportation routes
by water and unusually advantageous
routes by railway.
If Canada has made the mistake Of
depicting, by export, her own agricul,
tural stores to point below a surplus
for home consumption, that Is her look
out. 1t has not affected the fact that
this country can and does undersell the
Canadians on their own soil in most
agricultural products, as shown by the
items that 60 to make upa balance OF
trade in the favor of this country, by
many millions of dollars. Our senators
have the right to ask free and full ex
position by Vermonters OH this import.
ant question so that they may be prop
erly informed when the extra session
convenes in April.-Rutland Herald.