The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-05-07
THE STRENGTH OF \ NATION.

In the Forum for April Is an article by
Mr. John Il. Young in which he expresses
the belief that the day Of England's COM
merclal greatness is over, that the enor-
nous strides made by the iron industry
I'm America constitute terrible menace
TO Great Britain and threaten 10 ruin
her commerce and industries. The London
Spectator makes most interesting reply
TO Mt Young's article The Spectator
starts ont with the sensible statement
that it does not dislike. but is rather glad
10 see, this running fire Of pessimistic
prophecy The reason which It assigns
for this is that every nations commercial
prosperity IS perpetually menaced. and
this being SO IL SIS well that the English
people. who are now so prosperous, should
be constantly reminded OF the menace
There would be great danger" con-
unues The Spectator 'if our people were
ever 10 sink into the pleasant dream that
they need no longer be mp and doing. but
that they may sit quiet and expect pros
pcritv without effort The nation that
fatuously accepts prosperity as IT'S birth
right is on the road to ruin Therefore,
the Spectator welcomes anything that
tends 10 keep the people vigant and to
make them he always canvassing their
position and seeking for sources OF weak
ness.
This is most sensible view. Happy
the man or the people whoprodt by being
told of their faults. Eternal vigilance is
not only the price of liberty, but the
price of national prosperity In this ac-
tive. energetic. competitive age. indiyid-
uals. towns cities, States and nations
must be mp and doing or they will be left
I'm the march Of progress
But the Spectator is not troubled by
these gloomy forebodings of Mr.. Young.
IL does not believe that England is going
10 be hurt. but rather that it will be
benefited by the prosperity OF America.
and right here the Spectator gives utter
anco to great economic truth that the
acknowledgements Of this country need
20 study "It IS true" says the specta-
tor. chat the great growth Of the Ameri-
can iron trade may prevent our iron trade
from growing any larger. or may even
produce decline. but even n it does we
shall. as a nation. gain. not lose, by the
development of the American iron trade"
And now for the great truth. We quote
again. "That development will not take
place unless American iron can be pro-
duccd cheaper and better than our Eng
nsh iron. That means that the raw ma
tcral OF many industries and an article
I'm constant use will be lowered In price
] ron IS lower in price tho price OF every
thing. from houses TO railways. becomes
cheaper and this cheapncss again, means
that tho BAN OF prosperity is set rolling
in a hundred different trades"
The Spectator then goes on 70 say that
the notion OF n country being ruined by
a Rood Of cheap goods is a pure delusion
that 10 is flood which, IL it takes place
Is like the Nile nood-a source Of future
growth ana Development
IN the Spectators opinion. Mr. Young
and those who think as he does have
never e.aspo1 the great fundamental fact
that trade Ike mercy. conveys a double
Blessing. that one country's wealth does
nor involve another country's poverty
but. ON The contrary. no country can
grow rich without TO some extent enrich
ing other nations These benefits. It says,
VIII De greater 10 the nations which prac-
ice free trade. but even protection coun-
tries VIII feel the effects.
Tho increase OF manufacturing in
America will. IN the opinion Of the Spec,
taior. give England new opportunities
for developing its trade and commerce
II England has not the enregy TO seize
these opportunities II VIII decline. but
the decline will not be owing TO Americas
rise. but 10 England's want OF energy and
enterprise.
This brings the Spectator 10 the con-
alteration OF another great truth which
The Times has often tried 10 impress upon