The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-29
Latter Were Expansionists, Reaching
Out Beyond Their Own Borders,
Like Their Descendants.
SPEECH BY SECRETARY LONG
ON THE GROWTH OF THE COMMERCE
OF THE UNITED STATES.
Tribute to Secretary of State Hay,
ind COmmendation for the Men
and Officers of the Navy.

BOSTON, Dec. 2S-Surrounded by some
of the most prominent men in the financial.
business ana social life of Boston. Secretary
OF the Navy John d. Long was the central
figure at banquet at the Algonquin Club
tonight, when bis achievements in public
life were the theme of many speakers The
banquet was a complimentary one, if that
term expresses the object of the occasion,
and the givers of it were the members OF
the Commercial Club, body of merchants
devoted to the welfare of Boston's trace
with the outside world Secretary Long
was the last speaker. He said:
'"rhis is the season of the year when we
celebrate the landing OF the Pilgrims, whom
we always associate with the idea of a re-
ligious exodus. whereas, in fact, their Ven
ture was largely commercial one, with
a view TO developing the resources of the
new world and of profiting by an exchange
OF its products with those of the Old That
the Pilgrims were good business men Is
shown by the fact that in few years they
bought out their promoters and carried the
enterprise TO success on their own footing.
They were expansionists, reaching well out
from their own borders, and for century
or two later no man crossed the ocean
oftener than Winslow their minister plen-
potentiary, who looked after their interests
abroad.
III an interesting 1dct tnat, nearly oOO
years later, we, their descendants not in
the little Mayflower, but in the great ocean
steamers of to-day, are returning across the
sea to plant on the shores OF Oriental isles
the institutions which they planted here.
The recent unhappy tumult in China Is only
the effervescent accompaniment OF the
bursting Of the secluson OF that uncounted
people; and its commercial relation with
lis by the admirable administration of Sec
rotary Hay, will in the coming century bear
fruit in an interchange OF agricultural and
manufactured products such as even the
imagination cannot now picture.
ut is interesting in this closing hour OF
the century to compare the commerce OF
the world in 1900, which was something like
fifteen hundred million dollars, with It's
commerce in 1900, which Is something like
twenty thousand millions. In 1900 the COM
merce OF the United States was one hun
dred and sixty-two millions: during the last
year twenty-five hundred millions-the
commerce OF Boston alone In far more to-
cay than the whole commerce of the United
States in 1900 Great Britain alone exceeds
the United States in the extent of its conf
merce and we are rapidly, overhauling her.
During the period in which the export trade
of Great Britain in manufactured articles
has doubled, that of the United States has
grown eleven-fOld.
PRAISE FOR COLONEL HAY.
at is not for me to speak for other de-
partments than my own, but / cannot for
bear suggesting at this time how much we
are indebted to the work of our State De-
partment. the present head of which. Mr.
Hay. has, / believe, earned for himself
place in the gratitude. as he has, already
place in the honor, of the American peo-
pie. Usually the individual leads and the
government follows. In this case. how
ever, while our manufactures have been
absorbed in production. the consular Off
GERS of the State Department stationed
abroad have. by their activity in reporting
trade conditions, aided largely in turning
our surplus products into foreign channels.
In this connection il is fair to say a good
word for our consular service. 1t has its
defects and il is the fashion, not unwar-
ranted, to urge their reform. And yet its
officials, without special previous training
or experience and chosen from the general
body OF the public. have been marvelously
quick and efficient in pointing out not only
the opportunities. but the hndrances to
increased commerce and exceeding in the
establishment of trade. At the very outset
OF the present administration the impor-
lance of this service was recognized and
steps taken 10 still further facilitate the
commercial publications of the Department
OF State and to print and distribute them
more promptly for the benefit of the bust
ness community.
And may J. with all modesty, say that
the navy is not without it's title to credit.
IL has made the flag respected 1t is rapidly
OeNelOpmR INTO proportions winch VIII en-
able il 10 be the safeguard and help of the
mighty international commerce that IS
coming As our products go abroad all
over the globe as our ships carrying them
sail every water, are gradually
drawn into closer commercial activity with
the world there will be increased necessity
for the resources of diplomacy, and with
these the backing and moral prestige of
corresponding naval strength. / trust il IS
not to be anticipated that In the better
conditions of the future great foreign
trade once built up will be at the risk Of
any power inclined to obstruct or impair
II, but if so there will be no danger so
long as the American navy is animated by
the spirit of the American sailor and backed
by the heart of the American people.
Il cannot take my seat without express
ing the pleasure 1t is to sit again at this
table, and to be in company with you, the
commercial men. the merchants and the
manufacturers. the enterprising leaders Of
this dear old town. The true ideal of the
Chamber Of Commerce is not den of
thieves from which the Master shall cast
out all OF them that sell and buy, but