Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-12-06
;ates. Situated, as this territory is, in

IdteS. Situated, as Cn1S territory is, III
the middle of the Pacific, there are
duties imposed upon this small COM
munity which do not fall in like degree
or manner upon any other American
community. This warrants our treat
ing it differently from tile way in
which we treat territories contiguous
to or surrounded by sister territories
or other states and justifies the setting
aside of portion of our revenues to
be expended for educational and in
ternal improvements therein. Hawaii
is now making an effort to secure i'm
migration fit in the end to assume the
duties and burdens of full American
citizenship, and whenever the leaders
in the various industries of those is
lands finally adopt our ideals and
heartily join our administration in en-
deavoring to develop a middle class
of substantial citizens a way will then
be found to deal with the commercial
and industrial problems which now APP
pear to them so serious. The best
Americanism is that which aims for
stability and permanency of prosper
GUS citizenship rather than immediate
returns on large masses of capital.
Alaska.
Alaska's needs have been partially
met, but there must be a complete re-
organization of the governmental sys-
tenn. as l have before indicated to you
ask your especial attention to this.
Our fellow citizens who dwell on the
shores of Puget sound with character
istic energy are arranging to hold in
Seattle the Alaska Yukon-Pacific expo
sition. Its special aims include the up
building of Alaska and the develop
ment of American commerce on the
Pacific ocean. This exposition in its
purposes and scope should appeal not
only to the people of the Pacific slope
but to the people of the United States
at large. Alaska since it was bought
has yielded to the government $11 .O00,-
600 of revenue and has produced near
ly $30O,0O0,00O in gold, furs and fish
When properly developed it will become
in large degree land of homes. The
countries bordering the Pacific ocean
have population more numerous than
that of all the countries Of Europe.
Their annual foreign commerce
amounts 10 over $3,OOO,O0O,O0O, of
which the share of the United States is
some $700000,000. If this trade were
thoroughly understood and pushed by
our manufacturers and producers, the
industries not only of the Pacific slope,
but Of all our country, and particular
~ of our cotton growing states, would
be greatly benefited. OF course in or
der to get these benefits we must treat
fairly the countries with which we
trade.
International Morality.
1t is a mistake, and it betrays spir-
it of foolish cynicsm, to maintain that
all international governmental action
is and must ever be based upon mere
selfishness and that to advance eth
ical reasons for such action is always
sign of hypocrisy. This is no more
necessarily true Of the action of gov
ernments than of the action of indi-
vidualS. 1t is sure sign of a base
nature always to ascribe base motives
for the actions of others. Unquestion-
ably no nation can afford to disregard
proper considerations of self interest
any more than private individual can
so do. But it is equally true that the
average private individual in any real
ly decent community does many ac-
lions with reference to other men in
which he is guided not by self inter
est, but by public spirit, by regard for
the rights of others, by disinterested
purpose to do good to others and to
raise the tone of the community as a
whole. Similarly a really great nation
must often act, and as a matter of fact
often does act, toward other nations in
a spirit not in the least of mere self in
terest, but paying heed chiefly to eth
ical reasons, and as the centuries go
by this disinterestedness in interna-
tional action, this tendency of the in
dividuals comprising nation to re-
quire that nation to act with justice
toward its neighbors, steadily grows
and strengthens. 1t is neither wise
nor right for nation to disregard it's
own needs, and it is foolish and may
be wicked to think that other nations
will disregard theirs. But it is wickeu
for nation only to regard its own in
terest and foolish to believe that such
is the sole motive that actuates any
other nation. 1t should be our steady
aim to raise the ethical standard of ma
tional action just as we strive to raise
the ethical standard of Individual ac-
ton.
Justice to Immigrants.
Not only must we treat all nations
fairly, but we must treat with justice
and good will all immigrants who come
here under the law. Whether they are
Catholic or Protestant, Jew or gentle,
whether they come from England or
Germany, Russia, Japan or Italy, mat
tiers nothing. All we have right to
question is the mans conduct. If he
is honest and upright in his dealings
with his neighbor and with the state,
then he is entitled to respect and good
trpa do poo1 IN