THE UPPER AND NETHER MILLSTONES. 93 



While natural conditions show the immense importance 

 of these great mediums of wealth and general well-being, 

 artificial conditions throttle them. 



Others are empowered to dictate prices to the farmer, 

 but who ever thinks of him taking the advantages which 

 others may take, — for instance, pile up his grain from 

 season to season, until he can sell at his own price ? 

 Does he store away, in times of abundance, his butter, 

 his cheese, etc., knowing that government will help him 

 out, at whatever price he and his neighbors decide to 

 ask ? Can the farmers — as an able writer suggests — 

 meet at hotels, and over their wine and cigars agree as 

 to what the price of their productions shall be, and the 

 public be obliged to submit to it ? 



The manufacturer may run one engine or more, or 

 may shut down as many days in the week as he likes. 

 Legislation is made to insure him against loss, and the 

 consumers of his productions are obliged to furnish the 

 means. 



We are governed by a political economy which takes 

 from the one class upon which our greatest prosperity 

 depends, that another may be empowered to crush it ; 

 national policies, which are based on laws, the actions of 

 which are to victimize the worthy, for the promotion of 

 that which in its effects is unworthy ; which erects a 

 tower, to finally overthrow the whole structure. 



