THE FARMER'S WAR AGAINST MONOPOLIES. 281 



Pennsylvania coal. It has, in its eagerness to serve 

 the men who are plundering its masters the people 

 levied a prohibitory duty upon coal imported from the 

 British Provinces. The rich coal fields of Nova Scotia 

 lie at the very doors of New England, and a fine quality 

 of coal -could be delivered at the New England ports at 

 prices lower than the Pennsylvania dealers are demand- 

 ing. It is to the interest of New England to purchase 

 this coal. With its markets thus supplied, it would be 

 relieved of its dependence upon Pennsylvania, and the 

 competition thus introduced would result in a scale of 

 moderate prices. The anthracite monopolist would be 

 deprived of his power to rob the people, and would be 

 obliged to sell his coal for its actual value. But Con- 

 gress has joined the coalition against the people, and in 

 order that the Pennsylvania coal ring may rob and 

 plunder the community, by charging unfair prices for 

 its coal, it has levied upon foreign coal a duty which 

 keeps it out of the market. 



Let the duty be taken off foreign coal ; let there be 

 free trade in this great necessity of life, and a very 

 different state of affairs will ensue. Let the people 

 enjoy the benefit of a free market, and let them be rid 

 of their slavery to an insolent and unscrupulous mon- 

 opoly. 



Think of this, farmers and workmen of New England, 

 as you sit by your costly coal fires, and reckon the 

 value of each lump of the precious fuel. Demand of 

 your servants in Congress that justice shall be done 

 you, and that you shall be able to buy your coal cheap 

 in a land which is the richest of all lands in that 

 mineral. You have a right to a free market. You 

 have a right to your hard earnings, and it is a shame 



