The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-12-15
CANAL IS OF VITAL IMPORT
ANCE.


Record has taken up the subject OF
the resolutions adopted at the recent
session of the Southern Cotton Spin
ners' Association, at Charlotte, N. c.,
regarding the opening of an isthmian
canal, expansion for commercial de-
velopment, the need Of American
marine service, etc., and has address
ed letter to prominent men all over
the country asking an expression OF
their opinion on the following points:
"The need for the development OF
| the American Marine through gov
ernment aid to afford adequate facil-
tiles for our increasing commerce with
the world"
"The Importance of the construc-
| tion of an isthmian canal"
| "The demand for steady expansion
of our navy and the control Of the
Philippines by the United States as
strategic point in the east in counec-
ton with the development OF our
trade with Oriental countries.
A number of replies were pub
lished in a recent issue Of the Record,
and without single exception the
replies heartily endorsed the opening
the canal, setting forth the great ad-
vantages to be derived. The general
| tN hn fhot
have come into possession of the
Philippines, we cannot afford TO give
them up for various reasons, and that
the war should be brought to speedy
termination by putting the necessary
troops on the islands to accomplish
this end.
!; The advantages to be gained by the
, United States in the way OF commerce
arc very great, as it would open up Il
| great market for our manufactured
, goods, agricultural implements and
iron industries. They favor the open
door policy with China and the pre-
scrvation Of the integrity OF ihi
t Chinese Empire, they all advance
D sound arguments in support Of thei,
, views. The canal should be cut by
r nll means and should be done by oui
Q own government, it is one OF tht
, greatest needs now felt by our coun
{ try, the advantage Of it in case ("
n war is almost incalculable, and w
/ should own it so that in case Of VA
t We could control it. In our humble
{ judgement we think Congress shouit
4 hasten to arrange for this measure t.
II go through, in fact we are so hearth.
~ - f..,-o- &C .l.~ .>Nl 4 ~. sN~ boG "Y>ai
n this measure the people would rise VI
: with one accord and call them blessed
! In regret to the Philippines there vii
t never be peace on the island witt
, their heterogeneous population, unit
they are under the control @
! the United States government. Hav
ing been oppressed, persccutol and
, treated with grave injustice il thc
past, it is no more than could be OK
pccted of them to look with mist.us.
upon the prospect OF coming under
the control Of the government OF 8
new power, but we believe that wher
: our government has taken charge
and demonstrated by our laws and
methods, that their rights and inter
csts will be protected, they will wei.
come it as q God send to them. We
think that when they have been suf-
ficiently educated to be in position
TO govern themselves they should be
allowed to do SO. 1t is very evident
that they are unfit Mt present for self
government. The war should be Wig
orcusly prosecuted to an early finish
and peace brought about in tho Phil
ippines, there are lS,000,00U people
there who can use the products Of our
mills, With the isthmiun canal, the
Philippines, and au adequate navy
and merchant marine service the
United Static would sooa be recog-
nlzed as the greatest nation on the
globe. The frult is ripe and only
awaits the plucking. From the mum.
erous replies published by the Manu-
facturers' Record we clip that of our
own mill president Col. T. G. Dun
can, which runs parallel with the SEN
timent expressed by the others. This
letter will be found on 1st page.