The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-09-05

message to Gen. Jackson that the war
with England had ceased and a treaty
of peace had been signed.
How different now. We reached Gen.
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 a 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 with
in less than an hour of its cOnsum1na-
ton The first ship of Cervera's fleet
had hardly emerged from that historic
harbor when the fact was flashed to our
capital and the swift destruction that
followed was Snnounced Immediately
through the wonderful medium of tele-
graphy. So accustomed are we to safe
and easy communication with distant
lands, that its temporary interruption
even in ordinary times results in loss
and inconvenience We shall never for
get the days Of anxious waiting and
awful suspense when no Information
was permitted to be sent from Pekin
and the diplomatic representatives of
the nations in China cut off from all
communication inside and outside of the
walled capital were surrounded by an
angry and misguided mob that threat
ened their lives; nor the joy that thrill
ed the world when a 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 18th century
there was not a mile of steam railroad
on the globe. Now there are enough
miles to make its circuit many times
Then there was not a line of electric
telegraph; now we have a vast mileage
traversing all lands and all seas. God
and man have linked the nations to-
T,o
ferent to any other. And as we are
brought more and more in touch with
each other the less occasion there is
for misunderstanding and the stronger
the disposition, when We have differ
ences, to adjust them in the court of
arbitration which is the noblest forum
for the settlement Of international dis
putes.
My fellow citizens, trade statistics in
dicate that this country is IN a state of
unexampled prosperity. The figures
are almost appalling. They show that
we are utilizing our fields and forests
and mines and that we are furnishing
profitable employment to the millions
Of worSingmen throughout the United
States. bringing comfort and happiness
to their homes and making it possible
to lay by savings for old age and disa-
bility. That all the people are partici-
pating in this great prosperity is seen
in every American community and
shown by the enormous and unprece-
-dented 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
peoples earnings.
We have vast and intricate business
built up through years Of toll and
struggle, in which every part of the
country has its stake, which will not
permit Of either neglect or of undue
10 fich
will subserVe it. The grea test skill and
wisdom on the part of manufacturers
and producers viii be required to hold
and increase it. Our industrial enter
prises which have grown to such great
proportions affect the homes and occu-
pa tions of the people and their welfare.
Our capacity to produce has developed
so enormously and our products have
so multiplied that the problem Of more
markets requires our urgent attention.
Only a broad and enlightened policy
win keep what we have. No other policy
will get more. In these times Of mar
velous business energy and gain we
ought to be looking to the future,
engthening the weak places in our
industrial and commercial systems,
that we may be ready for any storm
or strain.
BY sensible trade arrangements we
Will not interrupt our home production;
we shall extend the outlets for our in
surplus.
We must not repose in fancied Sc
curity that we can forever sell every
thing and buy little or nothing II
such a thing were possible, it would
not be best fer US or for those with
whom we deal We should take from
our customers such of their products as
we can use without harm to our in
dustries and labor. Reciprocity is the
natural outgroWth of our wonderful in
dustrial development under the domes
tic policy now firmly esta blished. What
we produce beyond our domestic con
sumption must find a vent abroad. The
excess must be relieved through a for
aign outlet and we should sell every
where we can and buy wherever the
buying win enlarge our sales and pro-
ductions. and thereby make a greater
demand for home labor.
The period of exclusiveness is passed
The expansion of our trade and COM
merce is the pressing problem. Con-
merciaI wars are unprofitable- A pol
icy of good will and friendly trade re-
ations will prevent reprisals. Reci-
procity treaties are in harmony with
the spirit of the times; measures of re-
taliation are not.
If perchance some of our tariffs are
no longer needed for revenue or to en-
and protect our industries at
home. why should they not be en-
oloyed to extend and promote our mar
kets abroad2 Then. too. we have in
adequate stes mship service. New lines
Of steamers have already been put IN
commission between the Pacific coast
ports of tie United states and those
on the western coasts of Mexico and
Central and South America These
should be followed up with direct
steam ship lines between the eastern
coast of the United states and South
American ports One of the needs OF
the time is direct commercial lines
from our vast fields of production to
he fields of consumption that we have
but barely touched. Next in advantage
to having the thing to sell is to have
The convenience to carry it to the buyer
We must encourage our merchant ma
-ine. We must have more ships. They
must be under the American flag. built
and manned and owned by Americans
These will not only be, profitable in a
eomn ercia1 sense. they viii be- mes
sengers of peace and amity wherever