THE FARMER'S INTEREST. 20$ 



If free trade is the watchword, then let it be for free 

 trade all round, the only true policy — a watchword for 

 reform that means the extermination of a vicious system 

 on all sides. 



When England, in the famous free-trade struggle, 

 removed or lessened the duties on articles of food, the 

 same was done by foreign manufactured goods. Sir 

 Robert Peel, in the onset of the great parliamentary 

 struggle of 1846, sounded no rallying call to selfish inter- 

 ests. " In the confidence," said he, '' that the principle 

 for which I contend is a just and wise one, I ask all 

 protected interests to make the sacrifice, if it be a 

 sacrifice, which the application of that principle will 

 render necessary." 



Yet there are in England to-day, as there always will 

 be, manufacturers who would have duties put upon im- 

 ported manufactures ; but the farmers will not let them. 

 So should it be with the farmers of America. 



So long as free trade goes no further than free trade in 

 "natural products only," so long will the blight to the 

 farming interests of America spread and increase — so 

 long will the farmer continue to be the victim of the 

 politician and the manufacturer. 



manufacturing monopoly, fostered by indirect taxation, may be a far 

 greater menace to the general good, than any advantage that the 

 farmers can possibly gain by protection from the consumers of their 

 products. 



