The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-08

After continuous session extending
over seventeen days the international
commercial congress held at PHILADELPHIA
was brought to a close a few days
ago.
No other body has ever assembled in
the United States which had within 1t the
possibilities Of such vast service to the
cause of international trade. The ao-
counts Of the proceedings of the con-
gress, as they have appeared in the press
from day to day, show that these posi-
bilities were awaited of with the highest
measure Of intelligence and zeal Every
subject bearing on the establishment of
closer trade relations among the COM
mercial nations of the world was con-
sidered in an able and comprehensive
way, which gives to the deliberations of
that body its enduring value.
1t is a remarkable fact, and one which
reflects seriously on the progressive spir
1t Of our time, that the agencies of inter-
national commerce and the considera-
lions which influenced nations in the
pursuit Of that commerce even in the
very infancy of its development have re-
manned in many directions substantially
unchanged down to our own time. Space
and time have been annihilated. The
volume of the worlds trade has multi
piled almost beyond conception. Nations
which were unknown to each other have
become dpOaDdaDt pairbbor,. L,,4 ~ -,
trammels of two or three centuries ago
still hold their grasp. The same brutal
selfshness and shortsightedness which
caused one nation to destroy and harass
the commercial existence of every other
still survives. Our own tariff system Is
little better than, and no different in prIn-
ciple to the policy Of England, which
ruthlessly destroyed the commerce and
manufactures of Ireland In the sevon-
teenth century pretty much as band
of savage marauders might destroy the
lives and property of their enemy.
If we are destined even in the next
generation to overcome the mediaAvo1
views Of International commercial rela-
lions which have dominated so MANY
nations, our own among others, down To
the very dawn of the twentieth century
the result will be achieved through tba
eXertions of such bodies as that which
has recently brought its Iabors to a
close in the city of Philadelphia. There
is no earthly reason why we should ex-
pect substantial results from such bodice
as the peace congress, which was held
at The Hague, as long as the commercial
relations of the several nations remain
on basis which looks to the exclusion
of American pork from Germany on the
false pretenses which have prevailed
through the influence of the agrarian
class,or which have been effective in build
ing tariff Chinese wall around this graa+
republic
The action Of the recent international
commercial congress in mapping out COM
merciai sections and appointing an in
ternational advisory board, composed Of
one representative from each of such
DIVISIONS who will be charged with Civ
Ing all information which will facilitate
the trade transactions among the people
of that section with outside Territory
is Of inestimable value Mr.. ]. B. John
ston, the president Of the Manufacturers
Union of st. Paul, has been chosen as
the representative of the section which
embraces the Dakotas. Montana and this
state, and the selection is one which Is
certain to DO followed by excellent re-
suits
If the movement thus auspiciously be-
gun is maintained 1t will not be long be-
Tore the lines on which international
trade is today conducted will be entirely
recast and commercial freedom be deemed
as essential to the welfare of each ma
ton as political freedom is today.
Republican papers seem inclined 10
harbor the idea that Democrats ora sur