The sun., 1901-10-09
OUR COMMERCIAL GREATNESS.
BY WILLIAM +. KING. EX-PRESlDENT
MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF
NEW YORK.

The condition OF the commercial inter-
ests of the country, following the assas-
sination of our beloved President, was
shown in the stability Of values of Sc
curities on the Stock Exchange. This
speaks volumes in behalf Of the ability
Of the American people to stand firm
in any emergency, and shows the conf
dence which exists in the government.
This, too, has been plainly reflected in
the course Of the newspapers OF our
great metropolis. 1t must be borne in
mind that our nation is i'll the same
condition it was when the ever-lamented
Garfield was assassinated. Our country
was then debtor nation. To-day it is
creditor nation. The markets Of the
world are at its feet. and its empire city,
New York, is rapidly becoming the finan-
cal center of the entire world.
The growth and development in our
great middle and western States has
brought untold wealth from the bowels
of the earth and its SOIL bringing pros
pcrity and contentment to all classes of
wage earners, the unsklled laborer, the
skilled artisan, the miner. and last, but
not least, the founders of the countrys
soil. This prosperity is not local. 1t
is national. 1t has not commenced to-
day, but has been approaching for years.
Let us realize the short corn crop and
consider what it might have meant to
the country ut one time. Now those who
once would have been seriously injured
accept the conditions cheerfully, saying
that there will be the opportunity to
clean up all the bins of the old crops,
that they will get better prices for the
present crop. The only industry affected
will be the railroads, and this will be
counterbalanced by the enormohs in
crease in the wheat crop, besides which
the tremendous prosperity of manufac-
tured goods, especially in iron and steel,
will more than repay the railroads for
any injury inflicted by the short corn
crop.
However, the most important factor in
the whole question is the absolute conf
dence of the people in the present Ad-
ministration and in the sincerity, char
acter and ability of President Theodore
Roosevelt. His many utterances imme.
diately after the late Presidents death
have set not only this country but the
entire world at rest. 1t is realized thar
the country to-day is on the same con
servative basis it was prior to Mr.. Nc
Kinleys death. The only difference is
that the nations citizens in all walks OF
life, men and women, are bowed dowr
with sorrow at the loss of their deares
and truest friend. Americas prosperity
has only begun. Its destiny is but dawn
ing.
Two great questions confront us to
day. These must be solved ere long. On
is the regulation and control by legisla
ton of the unscrupulous and vicious vel
low journalism which, through its an
archistic utterances and vile cartoons
furnishes matter upon which disease,
minds feed. Measures must be enacte
which will surround public Officers
whether municipal State or national, wit
some degree Of protection from viciou
and uncaled for assaults. The other
the proper restriction of immigration
The time has come when this countr
must protect itself against the lregs an
offal of other countries. No false sent
ment should be allowed to interfere wit
the enactment of such legislation as wi
keep away from our shores all who wi
not make desirable citizens.