The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-09-06


had been signed. How different now!
I'VE reached General Miles in Porto
Rico by cable and he was able through
the military telegraph to stop his army
on the firing line with the message that
the United States and Spain had signed
protocol suspending hostilities. We
knew almost instantly of the first shots
fired at Santiago, and the subsequent
surrender of the Spanish forces was
known at Washington within less than
an hour of it's cOnsummation. The first
ship of Cervera's fleet had hardly emerg.
ed from that historic harbor when the
fact was flashed to our capital and the
swift destruction that followed was an.
nounced through the medium of teleg
raphy. So accustomed are we to safe
and easy communication with the world,
that it's temporary interruption even in
ordinary times results in loss and incon-
venience. We shall never forget the
days of anxious waiting and awful sus
pense when no information was permit
ed to be sent from Pekin, and the dip
lOmatic representatives of the nations il,
China, cut off from all communication
inside and outside of the walled capital,
were surrounded by an angry and mis-
guided mob that threatened their lives;
nor the joy that thrilled the world when
single message from the Government
of the United States brought through
our minister the first news of the safety
of the besieged diplomats.
AT the beginning of the nineteenth cen
tury there was not mile of steam rail
road on the globe. Now there are enough
miles to make it's circuit many times
Then there was not line of electric
telegraph; now we have a vast miiea ee
traversing all lands and all seas God
and man have linked the nations to-
gether. No nation can longer be ndif-
ferent to any other And as we :.re
brought more and more in touch with
each other the less occasion is there for
MISUNDERSTANDING and the stronger the
disposition, when we have differences, TO
tdjust them in the court of arbitration
which is the noblest forum for the set
tiement of international disputes.
UNEXAMPLED PROSPERITY.
my fellow citizens, trade statistics in
dicate that this country is in state of
unexampled prosperity. The figures arc
almost APPALLING. They show that we are
utilizing our fields and forests and mines
and that we are furnishing profitable en-
ployment to the millions of workingInen
throughout the United States bringing
comfort and happiness to their homes and
making it possible to lay by savings for
old age and disability. That all the peo-
pie are participating in this great pros
perity is seen in every American COM
munity and shown by the enormous AID
unprecedented deposits in our savings
banks. Our duty is the care and security
of these deposits, and their safe invest
ment demands the highest integrity and
the best business capacity of those in
charge of these repositories of the peo-
pies earnings.
I'VE have vast and intricate business,
built up through years of toll and strug
gle in which every part of the country
has it's stake, which will not permit of
either neglect or of undue selfishness No
narrow, sordid policy will subserve it. The
greatest skill and wisdom on the part
of the manufacturers and producers will
be required to hold and increase it. Our
industrial enterprises which have grown
to such great proportions affect the homes
and occupations of the people and the
welfare of the country. Our capacity to
produce has developed so enormously and
our products have so multiplied that the
problem of more markets requires our
urgent and immediate attention. Only
a broad and enlightened policy will keep
what we have. No other policy will
get more. In these times of marvellous
business energy and gain we ought to
be looking to the future, Strengthening
the weak places in our industrial and
commercial systems, that we may be
ready for any storm or strain
by sensible trade arrangements which
will not interrupt our home production
we shall extend the outlets fer our in
creasing surplus. A system which pro-
vdes a mutual exchange of commodities
is manfestly essential to the continued
and healthful growth of export trade.
We must not repose in fancicd security
that we can forever sell everything and
buy little or nothing. If such a thing
were possible, it would not be best for
us or for those with whom we deal. We
should take from our customers Such or
their products we can use without
harm to our industries and labor. Recip-
rocity is the natural outgrowth of our
wonderful industrial development under
the domestic policy now firmly est',b-
lished. What we produce beyond our do
mestic consumption must have vent
abroad The excess must be relieved
through a foreign outlet and we should
|
ever the buying will enlarge our sales
and productions, and thereby make
greater demand for home labor
RECIPROCITY AND EXPANSION.
THE period of exclusiveness is past.
The expansion of our trade and commerce
is the pressing problem. Commercial wars
are Improbable. A policy of good Will
and friendly trade relations will prevent
reprisals Reciprocity treaties are in har-
mony with the spirit of the times; meas
ures of retaliation are not.
IF perchance some of our tariffs are
no longer needed, for revenues or to en-
courage and protect our industries at
home why should they not be employed
to extend and promote our market
abroad? Then. too, we have inadequate
steamship service. New lines of steam
ers have already been put in communi-
cation between the Pacific coast ports of
the United States and those on the
Western coasts of Mexico and Central
and South America. These should be fol-
lowed up with direct steamship lines be-
tween the Eastern coast of the United
States and South American ports. One
of the needs of the times is direct COM
nercial lines from orr va ST fields of nro-