New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-29


across the sierras and the Rockies that mis-
represent and shame State whose sons are not
unworthy Of their fathers7
Has the arm OF the Californian been shortened
that ne cannot reach out? Has the salt left him.
that he cannot occupy and possess the great
ocean that the Lord has given him. or has he
forgotten the lesson taught by the history Of his
own race (and Of the greatest nations OF the
world, that oceans no longer sepaTate-they
u lite? There protracted and painful
struggles TO build Pacific railroad for your
next great step. The right Of way is assured
the grading is done the rails are laid. You
have but to buy your rolling stock at the Union
Iron Works. draw up your time table and begin
business Or is IL better that your Pacific rail-
road should end in the air? Is six thousand
mile extension TO a through line worrhless7 Or
is il that your Scott shipyards can only turn out
men-of-war? Can Perkins only run ships that
creep along the coast? Is the broad ocean too
deep for him too wide?
Contiguous land gives nation cohesion; but
IL is the water that brings other nations
The continent divides you
POWER from customers beyond the
OF WATER. mountains; but the ocean
unites you with the whole
boundless. mysterious Orient. There you find
population OF over six hundred millions of souls
between one-fourth and one-third OF the inhabi-
tants OF the globe. You not at disad-
vantage in trading with them because they
have the start Of you in manufactures skill
or capital. you would be in the countries TO
which the Atlantic leads. They Cifer you the
best OF all commerce that with people less ad-
vanced, exchanging the products of different
zones. people awakening to the complex wants
OF a civilization that is just stirring them TO
life.
Have you considered what urgent need there
will be for those fields? 1t is no paltry
question of outlet for the
NEW FIELDS. surplus products of q mere
nation Of seventy-five millions
that confronts you Your mathematical profess
will tell you that at the ratio Of increase
established in this Nation by the census returns
for the century just closing, its population would
amount during the next century TO the bewder-
ing and incomprehensible figure Of twelve hun
dred millions. The ratio Of course, wifi not be
maintained, since the exceptional circumsta noes
that caused il cannot continue. But no one gives
reasons why II should not be half as great. Sup
pose ii TO turn out only one-fourth as great. Is
it the part Of statesmanship-is it even the part
Of everyday matter-of- fact common sense 10
reject despsa these Oriental openings for the
products Of this Nation of three hundred million
people the Twentieth Century would need TO
nourish within our borders? Our total annual
trade with China now-with this people whom
the friendly ocean is ready 10 bring TO your very
doors-is twenty millions. That would be
merce Of the gross amount OF six and two-thirds
cents for each inhabitant of our country in the
next century, with that whole vast region ad-
joining you, wherein dwell one-fourth of the
human race Even the Spanish trade with
the Philippines thirty millions They are
merely stepping stone. But would a wise
man kick the stepping stone away?
San Francisco is exceptionally prosperous
now. So is the State OF California. Why? Part
ly, doubt because you are
THE NEW sharing the prosperity which
BLOOD FELT. blesses the whole country. Bur
is that all? What is this in
crease in the shipping at your wharves? What
was the meaning OF those crowded columns Of
business statistics your newspapers proudly
printed last New Years: what the significance
Of the increase in exports and imports far be-
yond mere army requirements? Why is every
room taken in your big buildings? What has
crowded your docks, filed your streets quick
ened your markets, rented your stores and dwell
ings. sent all this new blood pulsing through
your veins-made you like the worn Richelieu
when. in that moment there entered his spent
veins the might of France?
Was it the rage you have Witnessed among
some Of your own leaders against everything
that has been done during the past TWO years.
the warning against anything that is about to
be done? Was il the proof Of our uuworthiness
and rnisdeeds to which we all penitentany
listened. 50 eloquently set forth from the
high places Of light and leadng;-the demon
stration that what we needed to sit under
the live oaks and develop the individual man."
nor dare TO look beyond; the forgetfuness that
muscles grow strong only with exercise; that it
is the duties Of manhood that take the acrid
humors out of a youths blood: that il is great
responsibility manfully met cowardly
evaded that sobers and steadies and ennobles?
Was II the long lamentatiOn over how on al
most every field we had shown our incapacity:
how unfit 10 govern cities, unfit TO gov
ern territories unfit to govern Indians. unfit 10
govern ourselves how in good old theological
phrase We were from head TO foot mass Of
National wounds and bruises and putrefying
sores and there was no health in US?
Some one has lately been quoting Lincoln's
phrase. We cannot escape history" 1t is a
noble and inspiring thought.
CANNOT Most of US dare not look for
ESCAPE separate appearance at that
HISTORY. greatest of human bars; may
hope only 70 be reckoned in
bulk with the multitude. But SO, however
il may be with others this coast. l. for one,
want 10 be counted with those who had faith in
nv countrymen; who did not think them In
capable Of tasks to which other nations had
been equal; who did not disparage their powers
or distrust their honest intentions or urge them
to refuse their opportunities; TO be counted with
those who at least had open eyes, when they
stood in the Golden Gate
do not doubt-you do not doubt that they
are the majority. They will prevail. What Duty