The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-11-15
This Theme Of Sena TOT. McLaurii1's3
SOUTHERN COTTON .sPINNERs.
.(By Associated Prcss.)


z ATLANTA, GA, Nov. 1.-THE South
ern Cotton-Spinners' Association met in
annual convention here to-day. This IS
The fifth yearly gathering OF; the associa-
ton, and the attendance was large, many
people from New Y ork, Pennsylvania and
the New England States inscribing their!
names on the register.
a business session was held in the
morning, and the afternoon was given
ever to sightseeing, the delegates being
the guests of the Southern Railway on q
trip around Atlanta. 5ss
After the addresses of welcome this
morning DR.. j. H. McAden, president,
delivered his annual address. He read a
declaration by the spinnerss in favor of a
merchant marine upon a basis that will
give all American citizens an equal
chance; prevent faHoritism to entrenched
Interests and recognize the producing
classes insthe reduction of freight rates
He also favored the construction, as
Soon as possible. of the Isthmian Canal.
At a Smoker in the Kimball House
to might Hon. Hoke Smith. of Atlanta.
spoke on Development of Our Home
Talent and United States Senator John
L. McLaurin on Extension of Our For
eign Trade
MLAURTN's SPEECH.
Senator McLaurin said. 1--WE are at the
dawning of a new day of progress in the
history + of the world. Until
very recently commerce was not deemed
a proper subject for governmental consia-
Grafton. There is no direct Sdepartments OF
commerce in any governmentsexcept that
Of Germany. The moving considerations
prompting the settlement of the Chinese
trouble were commercial. The time will
come when the best minds Of every coun-
try will be called upon to adjust the COM
plicated questions Of foreign trade, and
the consular officers at the leading ports
OF commerce will equal in Importance the
diplomatic ambassadors
in connection with he extension OF the
Souths foreign trade, Senator Nc Laurin
advocated an American merchant marine.
"Our weakness upon the sea is the one
great danger that confronts the nation.
said the Senator. eff ships could be built
in the United States as cheaply and oper-
ated under our flag as cheaply as they
are under other flags, it would be uit-
necessary for our government to do more
than to Offset the subsidies, bountles.
naval reserve retainers and other meth
eds by which foreign govei nmel.ts attract
capital into merchant ships built and
manned by their own people.
NON-SECTIONAL PATRIOTISM.
However. much our people may have
invested in foreign ships. they are I'M
available under international law when
at war as naval auxiliaries.
another thing We should remember
These very ships and the men employed
on board OF them may be turned against
the United States in the event of our be-
coming Involved in war with the nation
whose flag they fly.
we do not want. to see the 1sthHdan
Canal become merely a foreign highway
of commerce. said The Senator, 1t
should be an American highway and we
should so develop our merchant marine
that with the opening of this great ca
nal our own flag shall predominate at
the mosthead of a, majority of the ships
that 1t accommodates.
THE South will be the immediate bene-
ficiary of that waterway when it is con-
structed. ,5:yg
In conclusion. Senator McLaurin said:
What we need in this country to-day is
a non-sectional patriotism and states
manship more devoted to the building up
of our country than the achievement OF
party success. Great. national or bust
ness questions involving the glory OF oar
republic and the prosperity Of our peo-
pie should not. be dwarfed into mere
marty questions