The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1900-02-22
concluded from last week.
FOR CONGRESS To ACT.

concluded from last weekly
FOR CONGRESS To ACT.
The responsibility must rest on con-
gress, IL relief is not afforded during Its
present session. Those who offer oppo-
sition to any reasonable provision ad-
dressed to the restoration of our mer-
chant marine will take a grave respOns-
ibility which the people will not hesi-
tate to measure. We have run protec-
tion-mad in every other form OF in
ternal manufacture in the interval. But
a single measure in the interest of our
shipping, save that alone for the plac-
ing of certain transatlantic steamers
of foreign build on our registry. we
have not adopted. Thirty-five years of
the do-nothing policy have borne legiti-
mate fruit. That fruit has proven SUI
ficiently bitter to create the imperative
demand that it's production shall cease.
To regain a trade once lost or greatly
curtailed requires extraordinary and
persistent effort and expense. Once re-
gained it can support itself under equal
conditions.
It is a we'll known fact that the larg-
est markets Of the world not already de-
veloped are to be sought for and
found In Eastern Asia. These markets
are convenient of access from our Pa
ciflc coast.
It Is obvious that the struggle of GER
tain nations for political and military
supremacy and spheres Of influence in
Eastern Asia, as well as in Africa, has
been and Is, perhaps with a single in
stance, founded upon a desire to obtain
a dominating influence over the mar
kets of those regions. In the commerce
OF those nations the United States ought
to have a fair opportunity. This can
not be effectively done without our own
ships and our own flag. The sooner
adequate provision Is made for this the
less will be the difficulty and the greater
will be our reward. To obtain these
OOJCCI6 AO CAPCA0C W IAO NOAAAAOA NJ OO0-
ury in aid of ship building and ship
trading can be too great, for the trade
once established will be permanent; un-
aided now, it will be lost for long fu-
ture. But to hold it will be no mistake.
Our largest trade henceforth must be
with ASIA The Pacific is our ocean.
more and more Europe will manufacture
all 1t needs-secure from it's colonies
the most 1t consumes. Where shall we
turn for consumers? Geography ans
wers the question. China is
OUR NATURAL CUSTOMER.
! She Is nearer to us than to England.
Germany or Russia, the commercial
powers Of the present and the future
They have moved nearer to China by
securing permanent bases on her bor-
ders. The Philippines give us base at
the door Of all the East. Lines of navi-
cation from our ports to the Orient and
Australia from the Isthmian canal tc
Asia; from all Oriental ports to Aus
tralia, converge at and separate at the
Philippines. They are a self-support-
ing, dividend-paying feet, permanently
anchored at spot selected by the
strategy Of Providence, commanded by
the Pacific.
In conclusion, l sincerely hope that
before your association adjourns you
will pass set Of resolutions in no un-
mistakable language, and present them
to the present congress. Remember
politicians dread your votes.
have read with a great zeal of in
terest the circular letter prepared by
James ]. Hill, president of the Great
Northern railroad, for distribution
among congressman. Time will. not
permit me to read it here. I have nc
hesitation in pronouncing it one Of the
clearest expOsitions of the fraud at
tempted in the so-called Hanna-Payne
bill, and an able and gallant defense Of
the producing classes Of this continent
1t certainly Is the production Of a won.
derful brain and of man who has the
interests of our country at heart. be.
lieve he is the first and only great mar
at the head of great corporation who
In our day, has displayed a willingness
to use his great brain power and his
capital to seek customers for our pro
duce we never had in the Orient coun
try. And as one who spent a life-tim.
cultivating the soil, and who duly ap
preciates the efforts of great man O,
any calling, my most ardent desire IL
that when Mr.. Hill will be no NOR,
and has retired to his celestial home