Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-09-09

1t is inevitable both to the political and
commercial exigencies brought into be-
Ing by the untoward events of the last
eighteen months. 1t is destined to work
q sweeping revolution in the economic
conditions of the country. But 1t will
be OF far-reaching and over-mastering
Importance to the people of the gulf
states and the southern states contigu-
GUS thereto; to a degree, indeed. that 1t
is not too much to say 1t will rehabili
tate them In their lost prestige and opu-
lence, and may find them an avenue of
escape from the conflict of races which,
overshadows their present life and men
aces their future.
We do not propose to write from the
point OF view OF partisan politics; but
the party leaders will do we'll to remem-
Der that in public affairs material in
terests dominate popular movements
and that, in the end, even the people of
the south will find out what their real
interest is, and support these politicians
who are truest to 1t.
The Gulf of Mexico, if not a dead
eddy, is semi-tropic, inland sea, with
an imperfect outlet. The gulf states
are in pocket. OF the states upon the
eastern seaboard of the United States,
they are furthest away from the CEN
tiers OF trade and money.
All efforts at direct communication
between them and Europe have been
embarrassed by the increased distance
on the one hand and the dominancy of
the great northern cities on the other.
In that direction there is no hope save
that of fiscal and geographic depend
ency.. As the map now is they will al
ways have to pay tribute to the ship
owners and money changers of New
York. and its collateral branches, Phila-
delphia and Boston. Even Baltimore
has had to struggle upward through
the overhanging shadow of these ocean
toll-gates, although within a stones
throw Of their banking houses, their
warehouses their docks, harbors and
wharves. In word, the activities of
the North Atlantic being ruled by
Liverpool and New York, the gulf
states are at the mercy of the capital
lists OF England and the United States,
who have sent the price Of cotton down
to the starvation point and who never
let a sovereign or a dollar go until they
are assured, not only Of its safe journey,
but of it's return with interest. AS the
south, both out of line and impover-
ished, has no pull, except through its
raw materials, it is, abundant as these
are, bound to be second considered and
second deserved in the regulation of
prices and the disposition of the carry
ing trade.
But, taking the map of the whole
continent of America, both north and
south, and starting from any point
upon the Gulf OF Mexico, between Gal
weston and Key West, look south and
west, and what do you see? In a
straight line first southwark over the
Caribbean Sea to Bluefields in Near
aqua, then northward up the San Juan
river and through Lake Nicaragua and
due west across narrow strip of land
less than twenty miles in breadth, you
come to the Pacific ocean. Behold,
the vision of power and glory, of wealth
and renown, that rises before the mind e
eye; the imperial states of California
and Oregon and Washington, to the
northward; still further north Alaska;
and right out at sea in front of you,
Hawaii; all territory of the United
States Of America; to be held against
the universe ito be defended as long as
there remains Yankee to carry a gun.
But look again and look further. There
before you, still gazing westward. is
another world; another New World;
,
to be educated in wants; to be cult
waited in arts; to be elevated into civil
ization and markets; China and Japan
and Australia and New Zealand and the
multitudinous isles OF the boundless
Pacific, including, of course, the Philip
pines. Already Europe is reaching out
for this rich spoil, it's doorway being by
Asia and the Suez canal. Already 1t
is world-fght between England and
Germany and Russia, the three great
European powers, for advantages in
the partition and development of the
one quarter of the globe where markets
may be found for the overproduction OF
the older countries. But, with the
Nicaraguan canal all these regions are
geographically ours; and as IL the Ruler
of the universe had meant to impress
the fact upon us and to save us from
losing the chance, He carries our flag
there and plants 1t right in the center
OF this new world and there we are to-
day. and there we shall be this time a
hundred years hence unless somebody
comes along who is strong enough te
drive us out.
The circumstance appeals to the
whole country. because. as we have
already Pacific coast front to protect
T.
great naval power and, incidentally
great military power. and it is but an
ticipating conditions not very far ahead
of us to take our place in the procession
of mankind and to profit by the advan.
tage which unlimited and unexpected
has come to us. But to the Pacific
states and to the gulf states it is the
one great light OF the future. 1t is the
one rescue OF the Pacific states from
the railway monopoly which has stunt
ed their growth and is strangling thei,
life. the one hope of the gulf states fol
an independent outlet for their resourc.
es and market UNSOLICITED to oppres.
sive geographic limitations. nor domi-
mated by capital. which, II not hostile, i.
Indifferent.
Considering these things. how is Il
possible that any thoughtful citizen OF
the gulf states should listen with pa.
thence to the vaporings OF a politica
adventurer who. blind to their claims
- thinking people. would set vi