Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-03

1hI lG1SJ1AN1OAsN-0 -
tho other. Few people deserve better Of
the country than those representatives
both of capital and labor-and there are
many such-who work continually TO
bring about 4 good understanding Of this
kind, based upon wisdom and upon broad
and kindly sympathy between employers
and employed. Above all. we need to re-
member that any kind of class animosty
in the political world is. if possible. even
mere wicked, even more destructive to
national welfare, than sectional. race or
religious animosity. We can get good
government only upon condition that we
keep true to the principles upon which
this nation was founded, and judge each
man not as a. part of class. but upon
his individual merits. All that we have
right to ask of any man. rich or poor,
whatever hfs creed, his occupation, his
birthplace or his residence, is that he
shall act we'll and honorably by his
neighbor and by his country. We are
neither for the rich man as such nor for
the poor man as such; we are for the
upright man. rich or poor. So far as the
constitutional powers Of the national
government touch these matters of gene.
raj and vital momcrl to the nation. they
should be exercised in conformity with
the principles above set forth
COMMERCE DEPARTMENT..
1t is earnestly hoped that secretary of
commerce may be created, with a seat in
the cabinet. The rapid multiplication of
questions affecting labor and cal ital, the
growth and complexity of the organiza-
tons through which both labor and capt.
tai now find expression, the steady ten
dency toward the employment of capital
III huge corporations. and the wonderful
IN The international business world justify
an urgent demand for the creation of
such position. Substantially all
the leading commercial bodies in this
country have united in requesting its
creation. 1t is desirable that some such
measure as that which has already passed
the senate be enacted into law The Gre
alton of such a department would in itself
be an advance toward dealing with and
exercising supervision over the whole sub
Ject of the great corporations doing an
interstate business; and with this end in
view, the congress should endow the de-
partment with large powers, which could
be increased might show the need
CUBAN RECIPROCITY.
1 hope soon to submit to the senate
reciprocity treaty with Cuba On May 20
last the United States kept its promise to
49, A'i"AiA ~ AOi idily fdCdtlHS NuOd SOL
and turning Cuba over to those whom her
own people had chosen as the first Off
Gals of the new Republic.
Cuba lies at our doors. and whatever
AFFECTS her for Good or for i'll affects us
also So much have our people felt this
that in the Plat amendment we definite
~ took the ground that Cuba must here
after have closer political relations with
us than with any other power. Thus in
sense Cuba has become part of our
international political system This
makes it necessary that in return she
should be given some of the benefits Of
becoming part of our economic system.
1t is, from our own standpoint, short
sighted and mischievous policy to fail to
recognize this need. Moreover, it is I'M
worthy Of mighty and generous ma
tlon, Itself the greatest and most success
full republic in history, to refuse to
stretch out Z helping hand to a young
and weak sister republic just entering
upon its career of independence. We
should always fearlessly insist supon our
rights in the face of the strong, and we
should with ungrudging hand do our
generous duty by the weak l urge the
adoption of reciprocity with Cuba not
only because it is em:nently for our own
interests to control the Cuban market and
by every means to foster our supremacy
IN the tropical lands and waters south Of
us, but also because we, of the giant re-
public of the north, should make all our
sister nations Of the American Continent
feel that whenever they will permit it we
desire to show ourselves disinterestedly
and effectively their friend.
NEWFOUNU4AND.
a connection with Great Britain has
been concluded which will be at once laid
before the senate for ratification, provid-
ing for reciprocal trade arrangements be-
tween the United States and Newfound-
land on substantially the lines of the con-
vention formerly negotiated by the sccre-
tary of State, Mr.. Blaine. I believe re-
ciprocal trade relations will be greatly to
the advantage of both countries
ARBITRATION TRIBUNAL.
AS civilization grows warfare becomes
less and less the normal condition of
foreign relations. The last century has
seen marked diminution of wars be-
tween civilized powers; war with ui.-
civilized powers arc largely mere matters
of international policy duty. essential for
the welfare Of the world. Wherever
possible. arbitration or some similar
method should be employed in lieu of war
to settle difficulties between civilized ma
tons, although yet the world has not
progressed SulHClcTtlN TO reIQCr IL posi-
bic. or necessarily desirable. to invoke
arbitration in every case. The formation
of the international tribunal which sits
at the Hague is an event of good omen
from which great consequences for the
welfare of all mankind may flow. 1t is
far better. where possible, to invoke such
a permanent tribunal than to create spe-
cial arbitrators for a given purpose.
It is a matter of sincere congra tulation
to our country that the United States and
Mexico should have been the first to use
the good offices of the Hague court. This
was done last summer with most salts
factory results in the case of 4 claim at
issue between US and our sister republic.
1t is earnestly to be hoped that this first
case will serve as a precedent for others,
in which not only the United States but
foreign nations may take advantage of
the machinery already in existence at the
Hague.
HAWAIIAN CLAIMS.
I commend to the favorable considcra-
ton of the congress of the Hawaiian fire
claims. which We're the subject of careful
investigation during the last session.
ISTHMIAN CANAL.
The congress has wisely provided that
we shall build at once an isthmian canal
if possible at Panama. The attorney
general reports that we can undoubtedly
acquire good title from the French Pana-
ma Canal COMPANY NegOtia tons, are