A BIIIEF EXAMINATION OF FIIEK-TKADE PIUNCIPI.ES 343 



dexterous men it is as ca])able of Ijeiiig jJaycJ u))Oii to suit the 

 particular taste of the (j[)erator t'ur tlie time baiiig, as is a 

 musical instrument in the hands of a skilful porfurm'T ; and the 

 sooner the people of this country awake to the realisation of 

 this important fact the better it will be for them. 



Political economists, Free-traders, and all who are interested 

 in kee[)ini,f the f^'reat agricultural industry in its present debili- 

 tated and impotent condition — a condition for which they are 

 entirely responsible — are in the position of the man with the 

 battle-axe who, having lop])cd olf his adversary's sword arm, 

 taunts him because of his powerlessness to defend himself. The 

 enemies of agriculture first deprive the land of its fertility by 

 throwing it out of cultivation, and then taunt it with its inability 

 to feed the people. " In no circumstances knoivn at present could 

 this coiintrif feed her enorinous ]iopnlatioii," cry Free-trade 

 economists, and were it not for the deep tragedy underlying 

 the irony, the situation would be like " Charley's Aunt " — 

 utterly ridiculous and brimming over with fun. 



Why will not those who have placed their country in 

 this anomalous position condescend to enlighten their fellow- 

 countrymen, who are seeking information, how the lands of 

 England can produce food for her people when they are lying — 

 Waste ? 



Do Men gatiieh Gkapes of Thokn.s ? 



" Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles ? " said 

 the Master ; and to-day it might be asked — " Do waste lauds pro- 

 duce corn ? How can they feed the people when an arbitrary, 

 unjust, and suicidal economical system, born of interested Free- 

 traders, decrees that they shall lie Steuile ? " 



The facts are clear. To grow all our own corn is to premise 

 a state of agricultural prosperity in this country the like of 

 which has not been witnessed for generations ; in fact, a state 

 which has never Ijeen witnessed in the history of our country. 



Internal agricultural prosperity, of that universal nature 

 which this industry must necessarily assume, once we produce 

 all our own food, would assuredly create a large extra demand 

 for all kinds of manufactured goods which does not exist at the 

 present time, because of the attenuated and poverty-stiicken 

 agricultural class which now clings to an enfeebled agricultural 

 industry. 



As the purchasing power of a vast community of thriving 

 agriculturists planted in the midst of a great manufacturing 

 country must necessarily be greater than that of the present 

 insignificant body, many of whom are so badly paid as to be on 

 the verge of destitution, it follows that a strong natural impulse 



