Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-10-08
rRhNs.MlssIsslPPl comMEAciAl
CONGRESS SAN FRANCISCO,
ocroBER 3.
]. D. Case, Abilene, Kansas. President.

day the principal Aea'uie II,
nual presidents address BY the pres
dent Of the congress. J. ,. Case Q
Abilene, Kansas. He said:
Almost one-fifth OF a century Ia
passed since this organization wa
formed. It has seen the nation expan'
and develop as never did any natiol
on earth; it has seen great men pas
away and others as great take thei
places; it has held sessions In the ia
Northwest, on the banks Of the mis-
souri,, in the heart Of the mountain
region, amid the magnolias OF I'M
sunny South and among the fertile
lands Of the newest state-but by ne
means the least; 1t has had cordial
greetings from men Of many climei
and from representatives Of many am
bilious cities, but never in all Its nine
teen years Of progressive history mas
the Trans-Mississippi Commercial
Congress received a warmer welcome
or been the guest Of kindlier' nobler
people than here beside the Golden
Gate, in beautiful, courageous, un'
daunted, splendid San Francisco. Her
wonderful and romantic history ner
difficulties, and her victories that have
crowned the city with glory. should be
an inspiration not alone to us as IN
diyiduals, but to our organization as
an example Of what American man
hood can do when inspired by faitn
and hope and unfailing energy. we
extend to san Francisco our best
greetings; we honor her for marvellous
achievements past and for evidence
Of greater accomplishments to come.
Nineteen years in the history OF a
commercial organization is a long
time. In that period It must determine
by It's work whether 1t is to be alive
or dead; it must prove its right to
exist. congratulate you today that
the Trans-Mississippi Commercial Con-
gress has become permanent, a.
gressIve force In the upbuilding of the
nation, and that 1t is very much alive
and is going to stay SO. It stands
for the big things that are making
the great West yet greater, for the
elements that lift the business life
Of the nation, and 1t has been the
originator Of more important CONNER
cial and legislative achievements than
any body Of men ever gathered to-
gether outside the congress OF the
United States.
In these years this organization has
turned the eyes Of the world toward
the needs Of the new states; 1t has
been constructive in its methods; 1t
has built up and has never torn down.
These two decades Of business pro-
yress have been the mightlest In the
nations history, and l am proud that
BUR organization has had SO great a
part in framing the accomplishments
II our time.
New Problems Before U.s.
But new problems are to be solved.
The things Of tomorrow are not those
II yesterday. 1t has ever been the
dea of this congress to conquer the
present day difficulties that the rich
md magnificent West may march to
i yet mightier destiny. 1t is our West,
'ur home, our pride and our children's
leritage. 1t devolves upon you and
lpon me to do our part in making
t yet more glorious. We cannot do
alone by resolutions, by speech
making, or by the painting Of pictures.
)efinite action. hard work with a pur-
lose, intelligent planning and practi-
al every day common sense In meet
ng conditions are what count Abuse
corporations, radical and III digest
! legislation, street corner harangues
I'd popullstic schemes do not avail
0 accomplish the things that make
r greatness we must be broadmind
|, fearless and determined to win.
en- Of such character make up this
The whole nation is
'oud Of what we have accomplished
ID II looks to us to suggest ways to
} yet more.
We represent today states and
'rritories that are rich in soil, rich
minerals, with rivers If power and
orts that open outward to the worlds
arkets. Seventy per cent Of the ma
on's territory Is ours, the granary
the United States, the bread and
eat baskets Of the civilized world.
he European and the Asiatic alike
It our -four and steak. use aur ma
iinery, and wear our cotton and
DOL. Across the eastern border Of
Ne amnira Of nnra nnnra an unceasinr Z