Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-07-05
CHANGES IN FOUR YEARS.

lNeW York Times dnd. dem.)l
The situation of the country today is
as different from four years ago as
light from darkness. The country is
prosperous With a prosperity heretofore
unknown. Production in every field has
been unprecedented. Our commodities
of every sort have found sure and
profitable sale at home and abroad. Our
exports have outrun our imports tothe
extent of two billions of dollars--a sum
50 enormous that 1T would four years
since have conveyed no more definite
impression to the ordinary mind than
the figures of the distance of the plan
cts, And among the most reasonable
men the connection between the settle
ment of the issue of 1896 and our pres
ent prosperity is so plain that the cleo
tion of this year is thereby made cer-
tain. Since the opposition party has
failed to adapt itself to the inevitable
and has not abandoned the purposes
which We're felt to be fatal four years
ago the majority are no more likely To
trust to them the administration of the
government than they are likely to pre-
fer disaster to prosperity. The change
thus made in the popular feeling Is one
four years TO which We have referred.
Another change. not 50 obvious, but
even more important, which has taken
place is in what we may call the sense
sof national vitality. This is due in part
10 the amazing development Of orr re-
sources as a nation and 10 our en-
trance on competition. and successful
competition. With the whole world in
commerce and industry. Where four
years ago there Was one American de-
voting himself TO trade with the world
in anything but food products, there
are NOW scores and hundreds The
minds of Keen and aggressive men are
turning confidently toward every point
in the vast field Of International enter
prise. Just as We are no longer Dor
lsrowers from the old world but Its
l.eretlitors, and nre seeking not capital
but investments for capital abroad SC
live are thinking of the invasion OF for
cigns markets ard have ceased to think
S6f this control Of cur own. Our faces
4 are turned toward the future. and it is
faith. no. fear. that they express.
4 In part also this increased sense OF
national vitality Is due toEthe war witt
1 Spain and the consequences of it. W.
| feel that. as a nation. we have met {
4 sudden and extremely trying crisis, no
certainly without some laundering, bu
/ Ion the whole With a greater degree q
sisuceess and wisdom than could posi-
(, bly, have been fpreseen. We have ghat
I a seif-revelation. not entirely fattering
land conveying some warning, but u
4 the main satisfactory and even inspir
4 ing. A S we face the world in bushes
with confidence, so we feel that we ma,
4 face the political trialsit may have TO
US without shrinking, not rashly Q
J. vainGloriously, but With reasonable Ger
4 tain;y that we shall not be so weak Q
A unworthy. These are the experience
that. in the life Of a nation as in tina
of an individual, build character. Thos
(; Americans are to be pitied who do No
feel today that the national cha'racte
& has stood fairly we'll the test of the re
y cent years and that We may await tn
coming years with courage.