The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-11-15
M'LAURIN MAKES SPEECH
Addresses Southern Cotton
 Spinners' Association.
The Senator Urges the Importance of the Governments Fostering the Ship Building Industry
 of the Nation.

ses fen of the Southern Cotton Spinners' Association convened this morning in the ball TO m of the Kimball House. The at- tonea nee of del gates was large. After tn. welcoming addresses, pr. J. H. Me- Alden, President of the Association, de- Iivered his annual address. He recom- mended d d -claration by the spinners Tn favor of a merchant marine upon basis that will give all American citizens an equal chance, prevent favoritism to be entrenched in this. and recognize the pro- ducing classes in the reduction of freight rates"
 He also favored the building and con- struction, as soon as possible, of the Isthmian Canal. On reciprocity, pr. McAden said:
 "The immense balance of trade in our favor ere ates the necessity of our finding d market for our surplus products. We should do all that we can to advance both the lt tier and the spirit of reciprocity. We especially desire closer commercial relations with South America and the Orient"
 During the afternoon the delegates were given an excursion arount Atlanta by the CVulDcFH rItdiiNdys AOihbht n was given at which Senator McLaurin and Hon. Hoke Smith spoke.
 Senator McLaurin said:
 McLaurin Speaks.
 ''We are at the dawning of new day of progress in the history of the world. A better era is fast approaching, when all peoples will have a more perfect un- derstauding of the brotherhood of man and the inter- dependence of nations. For 1000 years the policies of the world have been conducted upon the inhuman idea iof shedding blood. This has served a useful purpose In the civilization of man. kind, awful as it is to contemplate; but that purpose has now been accomplished. Until very recently commerce was not deemed a proper subject for government tai consideration. There is no direct de- partment- of commerce in any. Govern ment except that of Germany. The nov ing considerations prompting the settle ment of the Chinese trouble were conn mercial. The time will come when the best minds of every country will be. called upon to adjust the complicated questions of foreign trade and the consular off, cers at the leading ports of commerce with equal in importance the diplomatic ambassadors"
 In connection with the extension of the South's foreign trad, Senator McLaurin advocated an American merchant marine.
 Our weakness upon the sea is the one great dangar that conf:onts the nation" said the Senator If ships could be built in the United States operated under our flag as cheaply as they are undsdr other flags 1t would be unnec- essary for our Government to do more than offer the sub idias. bounties, naval reserve retainers and other methods by which foreign Governments attract capi- tai into merchant ships built and man aged by their own people.
 We must not imagine that American capital is dependent upon national legis- lation in order to make ship owning pay. We have ample evidence of large Ameri- can investments in foreign built ships. manned and operated by foreigners in our trade. However much our people may have invested in foreign ships, they are unavailable un Ter international law as naval auxiliaries when at war.
 Another thing we should remember: These very ships and the men employ ed on board of them. may be turned against the United States in the event of our becoming involved in war with the nation whose flag they fly. The object of extending government aid to the upbuilding of our merchant marine Is to secure adequate protection for the nation upon the sea and the mere fact that the investment has been made at tractive to American capital Is an incl dent of the transaction"
 We do not want to see the isthmian canal become merely a foreign highway of commerce. said the Senator i've do not want out millions expended merely to become a bounty to foreign ship ping. It should be an American high way and we should so develop our mer- cantile marine that with the opening of this great canal our flag shall predomt- nate at the masthead of Enajority of the ships that 1t accommodates.
 "The South will be the immediate bene- ficiary of the great waterway when 1t is constructed
 In conclusion Senator McLaurin said d: What we need in this country today is a non-sectional patriotism and states rnanship more devoted to the building up of our country, than the achievement of party success. Great national or busi- nesse questions involving the glory of our republic and the prosperity of our people, should not be dwarfed into mere party questions"