Chapter XIV - The agricultural the predominant interest in the United States. Great advantages to agriculture from the vicinity of manufacturing establishments. Case of Aberdeen. Of Harmony. Of Providence. Fall of lands the result of the decay of manufactures.

Summary

As the agriculturists are now, and are likely to be for a century at least, the predominating interest in this country, and have a decided influence in its legislation, it is of immense importance that they should form correct views on the system best calculated to promote the general welfare. And it is much to be regretted that the endeavours to persuade them, that there is an hostility between their interests and those of their manufacturing fellow citizens, have been but too successful. Never was there a prejudice much more unfounded, or more pernicious to their prosperity and to that of the nation at large.

It is proved, (page 123) that the annual consumption of the city of Philadelphia in food and drink, amounts to about $ 11,000,000, all paid to the farmers, which is more than one-fifth part of all the domestic exports of the United States for the last year; within ten per cent., of the whole of the articles of food exported within that year; and almost thirty per cent. of the average domestic exports of the nation for the last thirty years.

To the farmer and planter the home market is incomparably more advantageous than the foreign. Woeful experience proves that the latter is subject to ruinous fluctuations. Whereas the former is permanent and steady, little liable to vicissitude.