The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-10-06


The British-American conference at
Quebec is attracting some attention to
itself on account Of the persistency
with which Canadians are endeavoring
to protect their own industries against
those of the United States. 1t seems
remarkable that in this age. and in the
light of all past history, this idea of
protection, as applied to the economic
and industrial elements Of national life,
should continue to have advocates in
conference which has so much to do
with a neighborly interest>of the kind
which exists between Canada and this
country. There is a geographical line
dividing the United States from the
British possessions on the north, but 1T
is an arbitrary line, after all. The in
terests Of the population Of the north
ern and southern sections Of North
America are Identical
There have been frequent illusions
during the past few months to the con-
|. dition of Isolation" of the United
States with respect to the commerce of
the world; and these comments have
been associated with the theory that
everything we gobbled in our war with
Spain was property that should be con-
served for the benefit of the nation,
without regard to reason or conscience
or common honesty.
The United States Of America occu-
pies a profoundly interesting position
with-respect to the interests of the
world at large. We are at the close
Of the nineteenth century of the Chris
tian era. No other nation that ever
existed possessed the resources and the
facilities for transportation which this
nation possesses today. Students Of
both ancient and modern history
must stand almost overawed when they
contemplate the enormous possibilities
of this section of the North American
continent. And what does it all mean?
Centuries have rolled themselves to-
gether into cycles since human ingenui-
ty began to beat a pathway for COM
nlerce over the circumference of the
earth. The United States, as a nation,
has had an existence Of little more
than one century of all this period, and
still the spirit Of isolation which domi-
mated prosperous communities in the old
world and brought them finally to alb
|
people today.
Returning to the Canadian confer
ence we find that, after all. those who
control British interests on this side Of
the Atlantic are about as selfish as we
ourselves are. A proposition was made
by our representatives for free trade
between Canada and the United States
for lumber. 1t was opposed, and big
interests came >Sorward protesting
against It from Canadian lumbermen.
This really seems to be the depth of sill
illness. With all the forests of the United
States denuded Of timber and with
magnificent growths existing within
the Canadian boundaries, why should
the Canadian dealer object to free trade
between these countries in that COM
modify?
The thoughtful, practical people of
the United States, whose lives are de-
voted to the upbuilding Of it's indus
trial worth, must realize the fact that
the time has come when this great
country must perform its part in the
distribution of it's products throughout
the entire world. It is not necessary,
in this connection, to review the his
tory of the Republican party in its as
ISOLATION with the spirit Of protection
to home industries which has dOmi-
mated the policy Of the past. Located
in northern ATTITUDES, between the At
lantic and Pacific oceans, and thor
oughly planted and imbedded with
everything which can contribute to ma
terial production, this country has not
it's equal on earth. It seems, almost,
that it was a preserve instituted by the
Almighty for the rounding out of the
great work designed at the period of
creation.
We have had much in the way of
twaddle in the press, and in the pulpit
in regard to manifest destiny" These
words have been used as a sort of ex-
cuse for the policy of brigandage which
seems to have seized upon this people
and the government. May 1t not be
we'll to suggest that the manifest
destiny" of the United States is to at
tend strictly to business; to conduct
that business after the most common
sense and honest fashion, and in a man
ner which shall afford the freest inter
course among the nations Of the world,
with as few impediments as possible.