The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-09-12
McKINLEY ON 81 RECIPROcIT1Y

~ "a
McKINLEY ON RECLPROCITY.
The address delivered by President
Mckinley at the Pan-Americane xposi-
ton, at Buffalo last Thursday on the
commercial status Of the United States,
is one Of the best public utterances
Of the president. It was fraught with
so much of national brotherhood and
kindly spirit. Speaking of the benefits
/ Of expositions, he said:
Expositions are the timekeepers Of progress.
| They record the worlds advancement They
| stimulate the energy, enterprise and intellect
| of the people and quicken human genius.
They go into the home. They broaden and
| brighten the daily life of the people, They
open mighty storehouses of information to the
student. Every exposition, great or small, has
helped to some onward step. Comparison of
ideas is always educational, and as such in
structs the brain and hand of man. Friendly
rivalry follows, which is the spur to Industrial
improvement, the inspiration to useful inyen-
ton and to high endeavor in all departments of
human activity. It exerts a study of the wants
comforts and even the whims of the people. and
recognizes the efficacy of high quality and new
prices to win their favor. 'sE
At the exposition of the joint resour-
ces of the United States, Canada, Mexi-
co and the South American countries.
the president could not refrain from
touching on trade topics, as effecting
our own commercial interests, and. he
expressed himself very earnestly as in
favor of reciprocal relations with our
neighbors, who are marching along
the highway of commerce as we'll as
ourselves. He said: 49, 3 ~ - =
A system which provides mutual exchange
of commodities is manifestly essential to the
continued healthful growth Of our. export trade.
We must not repose in fancied security that we
can forever sell everything and buy little or
nothing. We should take from our customers
such of their products as we can use without
harm to our industries and labor Reciprocity
is the natural outgrowth of our wonderful in
dustrial development under the domestic policy
now firmly established.
The period of -exclusiveness is past. The ex->
pansion of our trade and commerce is the pres
sing problem. Commercial wars are unprofit-:
able. A policy OF good will and friendly trade
relations will prevent reprisals. Reciprocity
treaties are in harmony with the spirit of the
times; measures of retaliation are not If per-
chance, some of our tariffs are no longer needed
for revenue or to encourage and protect our in
dustries at home, why should they not be en-
ployed to extend and promote our markets
abroad?
The. wisdom and energy of all the nations are
none too great for the worlds work. The sue
cess of art, science, industry and invention is
an international asset and a common glory
Such expressions would indicate
desire on the part of President Nc
Kinley to have some of our reciprocity
treaties now hung up in the august
senate taken down and made living
realities, instead of remaining hollow
promises. q
The next congress should take up
this matter and try and adjust our
trade conditions to the new order of
things. The high joint commission
has so far failed toSestablish reciprocal
relations between this country and
Canada, because of selfish differences,
and for sentimental local reasons our
congressman and senators have failed
to let the reciprocal horse onto the
race course of commerce. Our political
ideals are all right, but when such
vital matters as foreign trade relations
come up for discussion our great COM
mercial interests rise up in arms to
guard their trade privileges.
But we must remember that our
present powerful position as great
commercial nation, cannot be forever
entrenched behind the old tariff wall.
We must put in a few draw bridges
and gates here and there for our neigh
bors, for unless we do the old wall will
crumble sooner or later.