Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-09-28


Compete in the World for Business
Against All Commensurate Sam Now
Raising Too Much 'Farm Truck, and
Producing Too Much aanufactures for
His Own Use -Straus' Remarks.
LONDON, Sept. 2s.-The dinner given by
the Chamber of Commerce, of London, to
preventative W. L. Wilson, OF West
pole last evening. About seventy guests
were present, including J. Sterling Nor
ton, secretary Of agriculture, and his two
sons Paul and Joyce Morton; Representa-
tive l>ador Stfaus, of New York: Sir
Courtney T. Boyle, permanent secretary
OF the board OF trade, and a number OF
leading men in trade and commerce.
Uaited States Ambassador Bayard and
James Il. Roosevelt, secretary of the
United States embassy, sent regrets
After acknowledging the honor conferred
upon him ard reciting the events of the
long struggle to overthrow protection
Wilson said:
His Views of the Effect of Protection.
All the people saw that our system was
generating brood Of monopolists so
powerful as to deiY the law, and which
used part OF the wealth they drew from "A
share III the power of taxation TO increase
their privileges. l an quite sure that our
protective policy has already served 20
promote the trade of other nations, and !.
continued it would still further promote
such trade, and pre-e ninentiy your own
so, standing before you, representative
,nt hn rfs-s, Go
mercial policy for the United States. l fear
canno, ask you to rejoice at its adoption
except as you may prefer right principles
to selfish advantage. Protection has seen
our voluntary withdrawal from the seas
aud from the neutral markets
Overpro luction in the United States.
Oar protectionists have been building
defenses 10 keep you and other nations
from competing with us in our home
market. The tariff reIormers are break
lng down these detenses. Let US compete
in all the markets of the world. Not only
Is our production of cotton and food
products growing more rapidly than our
consumption. but we have today a manu-
featuring plant which. urged 10 its lUll
capacity, would in six months fully meet
our demands for year. The tariff
hitherto has given many temptations to
form trusts and limit the output Bat
fortunately the way now seems open 10
give the working people more control over
their wages and TO break up the mono
poles which are corruptinG our politics.
Meaning of the Reform Movement.
Without boasting. l may say that it
is not in our line TO long be underlings
This is the real meaning OF the aspiration
of the great reform movement in Amer
lea. 1t is in no selfish, exultant temper
that thus give you neiyhborly warning
OF our plans and expectations" After
referring to the growth OF American trade
returns, even snder protection" vii
son predicted that now, whee Released
from such vicious laws, there will bs a
new era and revival of American
merchant marine well as a steady in
crease in our exports, both of food products
and manufactured articles. The nations
of the world are growing more and more
neighborly. and the manufacturing
supremacy of the world must eventually
pass to that nation which, having the
largest supply, shall apply it to the high
est intelligence and enterprise.
I'VE are constantly confirnad IN the
belief continued Wilson, that our sup
ply of materials is more eXhaustless and
more cheaply handled than that of any
otHtr people anu II We continue 10 be I'M
behring's il IS our own fault. We are be.
ing rapidly sobered, though unappalled.
by the truth forced upon US that Of all
human governments free government
Is the mos; complex and difficult and.
judging from the worlds experience. the
most uncertain and short lived. Our in
situations are strong because they are
deeply rooted in the past. Il is for yoJ;
and for us TO chow that while other ma
tions have been great in war, commerce,
science, etc, we can be great in all and
great in the greatness of permanent free
dom ~