The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-10-19
sPxR1r OF xnz PRESS.
MOVEMENT OF TRADE FROM EAST TO
WEgT
From tie NJ z. Herald.

WEST
From the ~ 7. Herald
The expression that westward the course
of empire takes its way" is true in a CONNER
cial as we'll as in political sense Indeed,
in modern times political power and national
greatness generally go with commercial in
Huence and wealth. IL was commerce or
trade that made Tyre and Carthage great in
ancient times this that made Venice and the
Italian republics rich and powerful at u late
period this that gave Spain her power in the
time of her greatness; this that made Holland
"a small State in Europe--one of the might
est countries on the globe this that gavs
England her wonderful wealth, great power,
and an empire larger than any that ever
existed in the word, and this which has con-
tributed largely to the surprising growth and
grandeur of the American republic.
If we look back to history we shall see that
commerce and empire have followed the
course of the sun from east to west. From
Asia, bordering the Mediterranean and the
coast of Africa, they passed over to Europe
on the westward side of that sea, and from
thence to the western maritime States of the
European continent. Finally, the course of
empire has taken its way across the Atlantic.
The American republic is marching with
rapid strides to point of greatness that will
eclipse all preceding or existing nations Had
it not been for the war we should be now the
first maritime nation on the globe. We had
lust before that event, more tonnage than
Great Britain, and far more than any other
country. Though we have been compelled
to take the second place, it cannot be long
before we must take the first. The
decline of American tonnage and
shipping interests, resulting primarily from
the war, must and will be arrested by
suitable legislation, by the complete restora-
tion of the republic and our national finances,
and by the rapid material progress of the
country. The necessity of doing something
to this end Immediately is seen both by Con-
gress and the people. The Congressional
committee who have been sitting in this city
for the past week for the purpose of investi-
eating the cause of the decline of American
shipbuilding and shipping interests, and to
provide remedy, as well as the mass of valu-
able information elected, show that the pub
lie mind is alive to this subject, and shat we
are approaching the turning point. Gloomy
rs the state of things regarding our mercan-
tile marine has been the last few years. it is
impossible that this great, rich, and progress
sive country can long occupy the second posi-
tion as a maritime nation.
Before the year 1900-yes, in twenty-five
years-our present population of forty mil
Lions will be increased probably to hundred
millions. And what is not such an ambitious,
industrious, inventive and energetic popula-
tion capable of accomplishing? Then look at
our vast coast, over ten thousand miles in
extent on the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf of
Mexico, with its numberless harbors at the
inexhaustible forests of the finest timber and
ilimitable deposits of the best iron and coal;
at the wonderful variety of products that enter
into commerce, and at the aptitude of the
American people for trade, enterprise and
maritime pursuits. Is it possible for such a
people and country to occupy long second
rate maritime position?
The British and the people of some other
nations are looking to the Suez Canal as des-
tined to change the currents of trade, and no
doubt that will produce a great effect, as far
as the trade of Europe with India and the
East generally goes. To some extent, and in
a certain sense, this great work of modern
times may turn the course of trade from the
West to the East, and may establish an en-
pire again on the eastern shore of the Mediter-
ranean. But even then the ultimate destina-
ton and concentration Of the trade between
Asia and Europe will be westward still.
France Italy, Austria, and other countries on
the European Continent will get share and
receive great benefit, but large portion will
60 to England. All this, however, will not
interfere with the increasing tendency of
commerce further west still, across the Allan
tic, nor retard the progress towards CONNER
Gcan empire in America
Though the course of trade has been
throughout history from east to west, it
reaches its most western limit in the United
States. 1t may tend more and more from
the Atlantic side to the Pacific, as the interior
of the continent fills up with population as
the vast West becomes developed and as the
Pacific States increase their commerce with
China and other countries of Asia and with
Australia, but it will stop here The empire
of commerce cannot pass over the great ocean
and fall into the hands of an inferior race
China, India, Japan, and Australia will ad-
vance, undoubtedly, but their progress will
only tend to increase the commercial power
and importance of the United States in a
greater ratio. Mexico and the Central and
South American States will all be tribu-
taries to our future commercial great
ness. The race for this empire now is
between England and the United States.
While the former has some advantages at
present in her larger tonnage, facilities for
shipbuilding and daecumulated capital, she sees
her manufactures, upon which her uast COM
merce is based, passing into other hands. The
CRY of alarm has gone@tfp already, not only
about this, but from some of her statesmen
with regard to the limit Of her coal fields also.
The thinking men of England begin to look
with alarm upon the future They see that
the empire of commerce, wealth, and great
ness will be here on the American Continent
This is inevitable destiny. The growth and
resources of the country will bring that about,
however weak and sLOrt-sighted our public
men may be. While Congress INDUCES in
ats twaddle and miserable party politics, and
while commercial conventions occupy them.
selves with high flown platitudes and imprac-