The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-05

school; of early days on the Wabash,
"When around Annapolis a man wasn't
in style unless he had an ague cake;'' Of
the great antislavery fight made by his
Quaker friends and relatives, and of tho
developments of his own political side
since the memorable day when he sat
under the stand at Rockville and heard
the first great speech of o. P. Morton,
then candidate for governor, opening
the hot campaign of 1856. Finally,
however, he got on to what he calls the
philosophy Of budgets and gave his
views as to the principles which should
govern the committee on appropriations.
With much else he said:
''The true question for the people to
ask is not, DO we pay more taxes than
we did?' but, is what we pay honestly
and economically expended?' If yes,
then they should be willing to pay more,
for just now this nation can earn and
save very many dollars by the proper
expenditure of one. To state it bluntIy,
the United States has reached that point
where it must assume a new and far
higher and more commanding place
among the nations. Providence has i'm
posed on Us the suZerainty Of this west
ern continent, and we cannot abdicate
our function. If We try to do so, it will
be much the worse for US. All history
shows that a nation, in order to live,
must go on developing, and any nation
that withdraws it's energies and con-
tracts them within its own boundaries
is certain to become like China or worse.
A nation like this is not at liberty to sit
back at selfish ease and disregard the
claims Of the weak. We have a duty too
0Tc5, 10 IN0 f-r, nj
in the great question of an efficient navy
and coast defenses, and herein is made
evident the truth that parsimony is not
economy"
Need of a Navy.
'What is your idea as to immediate
action?''
ST would have them all, both navy
and defenses, brought to a very high
state of eficiency-not for war, but to
prevent war. Under Arthur we began to
build navy, and though we have been
ridiculously slow we have made very
handsome start. We have navy enough
to give US some standing, but, what is
of far more Importance, we have learned
how to build a navy and have got the
plant to do it and the men who under
stand the business, and if we DOM go
ahead now it will be nothing less than
criminal negligence. It is to strengthen
the diplomatic arm that we want these
things. One dollar in preparation Will
save very many which would otherwise
be expended in war. The ambassador
who speaks with a good navy behind
him is listened to. I want to say, how
ever, that while I am not criticising
any others our man at Constantinople
is in condition of unusual embarrass-
ment, and so far he appears to have
done his duty we'll.
ambassadors, however, are not the
most important. In fact. sometimes
think that in these days of interconti-
mental telegraphs and rapid transporta-
ton we might do better with special
ENJOYS than resident ambassadors. 1t is
the consular service that we need to de-
ve1op. / am almost afraid to say how
far I would go in that line if I could
have my way and how much money !
would spend in establishing world
wide consular service on a new or at
any rate far more thorough and COM
prehensive gystem. We should-indeed
we must-have it renovated from top to
bottom. Not that it isn't pretty good
now, but we want a system far better
and more comprehensive than that of
any of the older nations, and we want
it put under far more rigid system of
civil service. There should be a first
class man of business in every great
seaport aud foreign city, and that man