New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-14
A NATION NOT PINCEED.

Some men need to open their eyes and realize
that this is not pauper country. Economy is
excellent when it is not a crime or a disgrace
But in these days the argument of economy is
used, often with mistaken honesty, no doubt,
but also at times with knavsh intent to pre-
vent expenditures for which the Government
and the people amply provided. Whether
the object is wise or unwise whether the mo-
tive Is the best or not the argument is nothing
better than unworthy appeal to ignorant
prejudice If there Is anything which the Gov
eminent may wisely do for the welfare of
the people it is folly TO claim that it is not
able or that they cannot bear the burden. If it
is proposed to set up costly works for the man
ufacture Of armor plates, for instance, there is
sense in asking whether the Government would
get the best results in flat way but none in
pretending that the Government Is not abun-
dainty able or that the people are not ready ana
willing to pay for them. If men reason that n
Pacific cable or isthman canal should be Gre
ated, owned and controlled by the Government
there may be many sound and sufficient an
swers pro or con. but 1t certainly is not one to
say that the country cannot bear the expense
This Nation of seventy-seven million people
more or less. Is to-day better able to spend
$500 100000 than 1t was thirty years ago with
half the population to spend 100000 900 It's
Wcaltn mas increased more than threefOld. from
100000, 000, 900 to over 100000 100000 It's peo-
pie are far more fully employed. earning much
better wages, and are more secure and indepen-
dent in their industries. with n National credit
such other Power possesses. The Nation
has measure of control in the worlds finances
which nobody expected thirty years ago this
country would attain. 1t was able in 1870 TO paw
over So for every inhabitant as interest on the
public debt, but it would be a much lighter
burden to-day TO pay interest on a debt of
SI,Oo0.0OO.000, and not even the widest scheme
OF National defence or development would call
for any such sum. The worlds financers would
tumble over one another in their haste 10 get
United States bonds at a rate paying less than
per cent. but the people themselves would
take care that not many such bonds would go
beyond their borders
Abundance of resources is not reason for
wastefulness. But If the Nation needs ANYTHING
for its security and its peace, whether 1t he a
cable n canal or navy greater than that of any
other nation, 1t is able to meet the cost without
the slightest difficulty. The question is, and al
ways ought to be, only of the wisdom of an
expense proposed. Security against injury of any
kind comes In large measure from the geograph-
iCal position of the Nation and its proved
strength on land. When the Nation numbered
not third Of It's present population il was able
to place and keep In the field for years two
great armies fighting each other; and three
times their united strength no other Power
would now make haste to attack. But defence
Of commerce and of honor In distant parts OF
the world needs now, and has needed from the
first a strong and ready navy and swift COM