The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-09-08
Trade Distributions.

Trade Distributions.
The twentieth century will probably
be the greatest commercial era that
the world has ever seen. The nine
teenth century, with it's tremendous
progress in the line of inventions and
along scientific discoveries, appears to
the thinking man as a preparatory
course for greater results to follow.
No matter what the world may have
been al the timr Of the beginning of
the Christian era; no matter what may
have been the prophecies Of seers in
the time that has interviewed between
Moses and IngerSOll, the nineteenth
century came to be the great advance
period In the enclrcling Of the earth
with the simple truths that found
their origin in Bethlehem, in Naza-
reth and in Jerusalem. These were
the epitomes Of honesty and fairdeal-
ing between man and man. Looking
over the circumference Of the world as
one may, certain principles prove to be
the basic principles not only in religion,
but in trade, and these have made their
way together. The world has had to
wait not only until the dawn, but for
the completion of the nineteenth CEN
fury, to approach more nearly to finite
knowledge and comprehension than has
ever been reached by human intellect.
The twentieth century, if all signs
do not fail, will. in it's very beginning,
bring every nation into solidified con-
nectiOn with the modern ciVilizatiO Of
the world, as advanced by the Anglo
Saxon race. 1t is a beautiful study
for thoughtful mind. The commence
ment of commerce betwee3 nation and
nation was a feeble endeavor, and the
service was performed on the backs Of
asses and camels. Now we find the
globe encircled with broad rims Of
steel. And when these find their limi-
tations on the shore Of the ocean the
great vessels Of modern invention, into
whose bowels the products Of entire
countries can be injected for transpor-
tation to other peoples, are or ought
to be standing ready to receive the Of
ferings Of commerce.
The whole subject Of the worlds
commerce is a gigantic study. Strange
ly enough the states Of this Union are
at the close of the present century,
looming up as a dominant power In
this trade. How seriously do our pro-
ducers comprehend the fact? How
thoroughly do they compute their own
possibilities in this connection? This
country is the richest in the world. To
its shores must everlastingly turn the
eyes of those who seek the product
necessary for individual sustenance
and for material and mechanical ad-
vancement. Do our people thoroughly
appreciate the advantageous position
which they occupy?
This country has reached the point
at which free trade with all the ma
tions Of the earth begins. The primary
avenue for the expulsion of our prod
ucts over the face Of the earth exists
in system Of economic legislation
which shall provide the vessels neces-
sary for distribution. The representa-
tlVes Of the people in congress would
do we'll to study the elementary propo-
sitioINs associated with free ship laws.
II we cannot build ships here as eco
nomically as other natiN1s can build
them, there should be some device in
stituted by which they shoNId be
brought into our service and perform
their part in the work of distribution
on profitable basis. We need now
ships to carry our products to ,Asiatic
ports, but we do not possess them
ana we cannot secure them, except by
special act Of congress- The recent
war has demonstrated the puerility of
our past legislation in this respect. I'm
der the act of 1891, and under that
alone, was the United States govern
ment privileged to- avail itself of the
services Of the splendid transatlantic
steamers of the American line in the
period of war. 1t was fortuitous legis-
Iation which rendered this claim pos
sible, and the fact ought to stand out
conspicuously before every man who
seeks to become a legislator in the
next congress, the membership of
which is to be elected in November
next.
The United States requires. above all
things else, merchant marine serv
Ice, which shall not only carry the
products of the people to other ma
lions, but which shall conserve the
revenues derived from such service for
the benefit Of our people and not for
the benefit Of commercial AGENTS fv-
Ing the flag Of other nations.