The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-07-06
only craftsmanship held by farmer Is on
the committee of ventilation and acous-

only Craftsmanship held by farmer Is on
the committee OF ventilation and acous-
tics"
.'This gives an eloquent but humiliating
picture Of the manner that the cause of
the farmer is represented in the hall OF
our national legislature.
THE remedy for this is to nominate far
mers from agricultural districts in all
political party conventions, and it will make
no difference which political party wins
a farmer will be elected, and friend OF
agriculture will be present to work and
vote for measures that will advance his
calling. The remedy is in the hands OF
the farmer Will he take advantage Of
it? Time alone will tell. This feature OF
this paper deals direct with the interest
of the farmer
Il will now discuss briefly another phase
of this question, which deals direct with
labor, and that is the building OF our mer-
chant ships to carry our products to mar
ket. 81
MERCHANT SHIPS NEEDED.
cit is a sad and humilating spectacle for
a great nation like the United States to be
compelled to permit foreign nations ships
to come to our own doors and load up our
products for export and watch them bear
away to the worlds markets the pro ducts OF
this great nation. Many nations boast OF
their greatness because of their commerce
on the seas. Why cannot the United States
be also rated as maritime power! Is IL
because we are too weak to engage In this
line of trade? Is 1t because we have not the
capital to engage in building up Meet OF
ships? Is it because we have no freight to
carry when built? Is it because we lack en-
terprise and patriotism? Is it because we
have no idle wOrkmen to employ in such
enterprises? Is it because the American
sailor is afraid of the sea? To all OF the
above questions, we can answer most en-
phatically, no.
"But like all great nations and enter
prises, often the most important matters OF
general interest is lost sight of in the mad
scramble for development and wealth and
the lack of organization that would give in
fluence and backing to any demand coming
from sources of recognized character and
standing. What is every ones business is
no ones business is a true saying, and here
it is exemplified with it's full significance.
This nation has recently shown that 1t has
some claim for recognition as power on
the seas. Its splendid victories in the recent
war have been source Of pride and ex-
ultant Joy to ourselves and a revelation to
Jealous powers who never thought that the
Yankee was in it. on the sea. We nave
compelled the respect of the world to be laid
at this nations feet through the achieve
ments of our brave naval heroes, Dewey and
Schley, and the men behind the guns NO
more will the face Of the American blush
to hear the insulting and contemptuous re-
marks of foreign nations about interfering
in the policies or purpose of this great ma
ton.
1--WE find instead that nations who have
always in the past proved our most inveter-
ate enemies have suddenly reversed them
selves and are now proclaiming from the
housetops that they are our friends and
that we are of one blood, and all that kind
of rot. Don't you believe it. Do not per-
nit the advantage that has been achieved
by the valor of the Yankee in the fields
of of mt leo
through his own energy, bravery and enter
prise to be now surrendered to hostile
nation of the past now transformed into
demonstrative affection of the present
caused by reverence which all the world
entertains for successful achievement
Nothing succeeds like success is an old
and true saying. And it should be with
the greatest nlisgivings that should de-
part from the policies that the fathers Of
the nation laid down, of steering clear
from all entangling alliances. This policy
has at least brought disasters. and
we have grown great and powerful by stick
ing close to this policy. There is no reason
that we should not grow, and there is every
reason that we should not entangle our
selves with any nation that would engender
any jealousy and discord with other friendly
nations, who have given us substantial
evidence of their friendship and good will
when they contributed their best blood and
chivalry when this infant nation was fight
ing against the tyranny that it overthrow
by the assistance of other friendly nations
who contributed their substance and mixed
their blood with ours in that battle of
universal liberty, which is today the proud
boast OF this nation. Let us not forget our
allies Of the past; let us be watchful of
our advantages that have been acquired
by legitimate and proper enterprise But
the war has brought with it new and COM
pick duties and responsibilities which must
fhronph ho
when they get over the intoxication which
the victories OF the war have brought upon
us. When we get down to business and
let the practical common sense of the peo-
pie go to work out these problems, which
are new and novel to statesmen. We
need have no alarm but that the finger of
God has pointed out the way through events
that have passed, and will continue so
long as this nation will continue it's policy
of the past of Godfearing righteousness
We went into this war on the grounds of
humanity; let us continue the advantages
we have achieved on the fundamental and
broad principles of humanity.
NAVY OF PEACE NEEDED.
'One of the first requirements which this
nation needs is the establishment of our
merchant marine, of such character and ex-
tent as is compatible with the dignity and
Importance of this nation as one of the lead
ing powers of the earth. AS it is now we
have nothing worthy Of the name Of Ameri-
can ships.
ut is our first duty as citizens, from the
standpoint OF patriotism, to see that Ameri-
can ships should be built Whatever OBJ
stacles are in the way of achieving this OBJ
1ect should command our earnest and prac-
teal efforts to remove and apply such rem
edles as will insure the speedy and perma-
nent establishment of our merchant marine
1T should be the aim of every citizen of
this nation to speak out that our shipping
should be restored and restored as quickly
as possible. It will be seen what advant-
ages this will give our nation and it's citi-
zens. as 1t will at once place at the disposal
of this nation in time of war a fleet of ves-
sells that is second only in Importance to
the navy in the successful operations of a
great war, as it may not always be our
good fortune to engage with weak and dis
abled nation like in the war Just closed
Then we would find that bulwark of strength
of great nation laid in it's navy and mer-
shown that a naval battle waged by modern
battle ships, with all the accompanying en-
gines of destruction will practically mean
the total destruction of both navies en-
gagged in the struggle, which will be brief
and destructive @&{ss
"a great navy and auxiliary ships will be
the best guarantee of peace, as no nation
will be anxious to invite it's own destruction
by hastily declaring war. Now, as a re-
source of this nation, it opens up the most
profitable avenue of enterprise that is now
seas is as expansive as the surface of the
earth. New markets can be found and ex-
tended that will absorb the products of the
farm and manufactured products of labor
ut will create a new industry in the
United States, ship building, and new