Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-03-14
Presidents Address.

ity, its foundation is the whole earth,
upon which is built this the greatest
industry Of man and out Of which
grows his heartiest necessities-it is
the foundation upon which rests the
superstructure of moral, intellectual
and political stability; it is freedom
incarnate, progress defined and the
degree Of intensity in which nation
is interested in Its agrarian pursuits
is the index Of It's prosperity.
ITO exact unjust tribute retards pro-
gress, to exact all is decay-equality
Of citizenship is the fuel Of civiliza-
ton. Equitable law is the basis of pa
trtotism and charitable benevolence.
''The pen is mightier than the sword,
but the plow made 1t mightier; science
tanned distinction as promoters and
dnanciers but too, there must be writ
ten the names of those who accom-
piished the physical necessities. 1t is
tho brain Of the genius that conceives
new ideas; It is the sinew of his
brother that makes them a fact; 1t is
an equitable compensation for servi-
tude that builds up the willingness to
servo and 1t is the honesty Of the serv-
ant That gains him Justice. Labor
must not foster conspiracy against
capital, neither must the superior mind
take advantage OF the ignorant if we
would raise our standard Of citizenship
and be benefited alike by prosperity.
brenzied agitation incites hatred be-
tween classes and tends to prevent
raghnul legislation but sincere de-
mands growing out of the actual
needs OF humanity should not be de.
MED for the benefit Of the few to the
detr1ment Of the many.
we are a nation just beginning to
realize our possibilities - although it
mas given to the world in the last cen
curry IN science. in art and in wealth, in
1Tee government more than in any like
period In all previous history.
Trade Follows Flag.
Whether or not the United States
constitution follows the flag, her
wheat, corn, hams, bacon, machinery,
SHOES, clothing, oats, books, teachers
and missionaries will follow it. So say
us Inc dawn of a new commercial era
and when the turbulent waters of the
Atlantic wed the waters Of the blue
Pacific in the deep defiles of
Panama It will mark the
greatest period in American achieve.
ments, and through this canal
VIII pass the cargoes freighted on the
mighty Mississippi from your farms
and from your factories to supply the
needs of these new markets. When
tne United States paid Spain twenty
millions OF dollars for the Philippine
Islands, IT. was only purchasing some
advertising space in Asia to advertise
It's surplus stock to half the inhabi-
tants OF the earth and upon this sign
board of these Pacific isles floats the
stars and stripes, the beacon light that
Will shed its luster upon these heather
nations. Again repeat our nation is
IN It's infancy as a factor in the
worlds influence. in It's commercial
possibilities, in its intellectual devel-
opment. We could increase the yield
Of our farms sufficient to feed half
China and there is enough unculti-
waited fence corners to feed the remain
ing half, and it is for you to develop a
more economic means of production.
1t is for you to uphold these lofty ideals
before the world, as people-true to
name. Counterfeiting is pessimistic in
It's tendencies and is barrier to future
advancement, hence 1t is not only nee
essary that you increase your produc-
ton but that you increase it's quality
as we'll Neither is this all you owe to
yourselves-to your country, to man
Kind. You owe it as the safe citizen.
as the conservative factor in shaping
laws, to use your influence in con-
certed action against these powers
and vices that destroy individual lib
erty. You owe it to yourselves to make
ready for future demands. The geo
graphical location of this fertile
Mississippi basin with new outlet
into the Pacific ocean makes it a fav-
ored territory to supply the markets of
Asia as we'll as the markets we now
own. Therefore it is time to begin the
demands for improvement of the Mis-
sissippi navigation-th one free right
of-way of the people,
And as we meet to improve our
knowledge of how best to increase and
make better our yield we should also
arrive at new means of disposing of
this anticipated increased yield, for the
one is fruitless of benefit without the
other, nor will charging our markets
through an addition of expense help
the producer or consumer, 1t will only
add shekels to the purse of the great
army of middle men,
Needs Progressive Men.
"The present progressive age needs
men of progressive ideas to manage
its affairs. We pay our respects to
those lawmakers who have grown gray
in the service of their country at five
thousand per year. We honor their
past services, but they should not stand
pat on past deeds until by virtue of
death they lie down.
Standing pat will never win you a
new market for your products. The
mummies in the Egyptian tombs have
been standing pat for four thousand
years unless some internal disturbing
influence Of the earth has caused them
to collapse. And l recognize a simil-
arity between these Egyptian mum
mics and some of our law makers. both
in lack of influence and inactivity, ex-
cepting these ancient people had a
fluid preparation to preserve their
W.