New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-02-08
UNITY OF NATIONS.

UNITY OF NATIONS.
Reciprocity between the two great repub-
| lies which dominate the American Continent
| is an event the importance of which cannot be
| measured The immediate and obvious advan-
tages gained ~ this country are freely dis
cusscd But there will flow from this act which
has been SC quietly announced by the State
Department influences far-reaching and meal
culable Ii is indeed much that wider markets
are Immediately opened for many products of
the United States, of hitch the production Is
only limited by the demand. 1t is indeed much
that large gains viii be realized by merchants
and manufacturers, farmers and wOrkingmen
of this country. in the not distant future. These
are results which impress the minds OF the
people and cause this signal triumph OF dplo-
macy to be regarded as not only creditable to
the Administration, but worthy work OF that
great party which has done more than any
other TO promote American progress and pros
pcr;ty Bnt the INTERVIEWING OF the flags and
the interests OF American nations, for which
this step opens the way, will mean something
larger and grander
1t is easy to see that the act of Brazil puts
powerful pressure upon other nations OF the
Western World. True. that country does not
now produce much sugar. its contribution to
the worlds supply is insignificant. But its
ability to produce that. as well a. other things
of great importance is practically unlimited.
When it is considered how large a part of the
worlds supply Of sugar now comes from few
well managed estates in Cuba. and how cnor-
mously the supply of the Sandwich Islands has
grown under the impetus of Reciprocity with
this country, it is not difficult to understand
that Brazil might soon push Cuba from the
foremost place if after persistent refusal OF
similar commercial arrangements by Spanish
authority the power intrustcd to the President
should he exercised. The same force bears
even more directly upon other sugar producing
countries OF Central and South America If
Brazil steps forward extends the hand of com
mercial fellowship TO the United States, and
decides to seek It's highest development in
future industrial harmony with this Nation, II
will be exceedingly difficult, not to say di>as-
trous, for other American Powers to hold back.
The common criticism of this compact is that
its practical results will be comparatively small
because the populations Of the Countries in queS-
ton are not large, their modes of living are
not those of this country, the consumption OF
all sorts is comparatively low the demand for
machinery and Implements and the myriad de
vices Of civilization is not relatively great. and
the productive capacity is also comparatively
small There is truth in all this, but not tn"
whole truth. The population and the industries
of to-day in Brazil are not necessarily those OF
tomorrow New demands will create new en-
terpriSe new gIaIeS Of labor, new habits OF
life Incalculablc resources of a vast and rich
land are by this single act opened in a certain
sense, TO the overlooking energy, enterprise
and trained skill OF the American people, for
they will have hearty welcome and Will know
better than the people Of any other nation how
TO meet new conditions Thousands are GER
tain to go thther, taking with them methods
which have given this country its progress. 1t
is impossible that there should not soon spring
up better paid labor moro various and better
organized production, rapid additions to the
populations from other countries, and larger
needs for American products. But all this is
only the stepping-stone. The firm land be-
yond is closer and perpetual unity Of political
interests and assimilation of political and in
duStral methods
so Of other nations on this continent When
the United States begins thus to overflow, and
sends its men Of enterprise and power 10 help
the development OF Othef countries, thcfe VIII
inevitably result such close relations Of unity rs
cannot be expressed in treaties. Each land will
have its own government, adapted to the genius
and the needs of It's OWN people but all will
draw closer together in one great family.
Presently the power of all will be eXerted 10
defend the rights Of each. Presently the in
tereStS of all will be considered, not in con-
ference without precedent, but in some we'll
regulated and we-cstabshed Congress Of
American Nations. Mankind is not ready yet
for the poetic dream in which
"The war drum throbs longer, and the battle flags
are furlcd
the parliament Of the federation of the world
But a long step toward the federation and
moral and industrial unity of all American ma
tons has been taken by the Administration Of
President Harrison