The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1902-04-11

Be Il remembered, moreover, that
after our three years occupation OF the
island we turn It over to the Cubans
In better condition that 1t ever has
been in all the centuries Of Spanish
rule. This has a direct bearing upon
our own welfare Cuba is so near to
us that we can never be Indifferent TO
misgovernment and disaster within its
limits. The mere fact that our ad-
ministration in the island has mini
mized the danger from the dreadful
scourge of yellow fever, alike to Cuba
and to ourselves, Is sufficient to en-
phasiZe the community of interest be-
tween us. But there are other inter-
ests which bind us together. Cuba s
position makes 1t necessary that her
political relations with us should differ
from her political relations with other
powers. This fact has been formu-
lated by us and accepted by the Gu
bans in the Plat amendments. 1t fol-
lows as a corollary that where the
Cubans have thus assumed position
of peculiar relationship to our political
system they must similarly stand In a
peculiar relationship to our econimic
system.
RELA1lON WITH CUBA.
We have rightfully insisted upon Gu
ba adopting toward us an attitude diff
fering politically from that she adopts
toward any other power; and in re-
turn, as a matter of right, we must give
to Cuba a different-that Is, better
position economically in her relations
with us than we give to other powers.
This Is the course dictated by sound
policy, by a wise and far-sighted view
of our own interest, and by the posi-
ton we have taken during the past
four years. We are wealthy and
powerful country. dealing with much
weaker one; and the contrast in wealth
and strength makes it all the more our
duty to deal with Cuba, as we have
already dealt with her, in a spirit of
large generosity.
This exposition is rendered possible
because of the period of industrial
prosperity through which we are pass
ing. While material well-being is
never all sufficient to the life of a ma
ton, yet it Is the merest truism to say
that its absence means ruin. We need
to build a higher life upon it as a
foundations; but we can built little in
deed unless this foundation Sof pros
perity is deep and broad. The we'll
being which we are now enjoying can
be secured only through general bus
iness prosperity, and such prosperity
Is conditioned upon the energy and
hard work. the sanity and the mutual
respect. of all classes of capitalists.
large and small. of wage workers of
every degree. AS is inevitable in 4
time of business prosperity, some men
succeed more than others, and 1t is
unfortunately also inevitable that
when this is the case some unwise peo-
pie are sure to try to appeal to the
envy and jealousy of those who sue
ceed least. 1t is a good thing when
these appeals are made to remember
that while it is difficult to increase
prosperity by law. it is easy enough
to ruin it, and that there is small sat
isfaction to the less prosperous IL they
succeed in overthrowing both the more
prosperous and themselves in the
crash of a, Common disaster. 80 ,l
INVITES NEW QUESTIONS -.
Every industrial exposition of this
type necessarily calls up the thought of
the complex social and economic ques-
tions which are involved in our present
industrial system. Our astounding ma
terial prosperity, the sweep and rush
rather than the mere march of our pro
gressive material development. have
brought grave troubles in their train.
We can not afford to blink these
troubles, any more than because of
them we can afford to accept as true
the gloomy forebodings of the prophets
of evil. There are great problems be-
fore us. They are not insoluble, but
they can be solved only IL we approach
them in spirit of resolute fearless
ness, of common sense. and of honest
intention to- do fair and equal Justice
to all me alike. We are certain to
fail If we adopt the policy Of the
demagogue who raves against the
wealth which Is simply the form of
embodied thrift. foresight, ana intel
ligence; who would shut the door OF
opportunity against those whose en-
ergy we should especially foster. by
penalizing the qualities which tell for
success. Just as little can We afford
to follow those who fear to recognize
injustice and to endeavor to cut 1t out
becaus the task is difficult or even
If performed by unskillful hands,