The state herald., 1908-09-25

of other powers-as seems to be Mr..
Bryans idea. 1t would be equally fool
ish upon our part to rely upon each of
them possessing at all times and under
all circumstances and provocations, an
altruistic regard for the rights of 9th
ers.
Must Maintain American Prestige.
The United States can hope for
permanent career of peace on only one
condition, and that Is on condition OF
maintaining n first class navy-dcspite
the obstructive tactics of the Democrat
ic party.
The government has found 1t neces-
sary to be liberal in appropriations for
rivers, harbors and bays, for irrigation,
for the construction of public buildings,
and for various other public enterprises
which rebound either to the beneht or
some specific locality or to the people
at large Every great power has found
it necessary to provide protection Tor
its commerce, its foreign trade, its
ports, and its people doing business or
travelling In other countries. we nave
become great power. This nation To-
day lines up alongside of the hve great
powers of the world. We have nssum-
ed responsibilities by the recent colo
NAL expansion which was thrust upon
us, and from which we cannot excape
If we would, and ought not If we could.
Responsibility of World Power.
We have obligations to Cuba, where
we have said TO the world we VIII pro-
tect her against assault or INVASION
against attacks upon her independence
integrity of territory, of her institu-
tions. We have Porto Rico, which can
be defended only from the sea, as Cuba
can be defended only from the sea. we
have the islands OF Tutuila, GUAM
Hawaii. and the Philippines far from
the United States, all OF which must
he protected from the sea. We have
assumed another obligation In the ran
anna Canal, which perhaps Is greatest
of all.
We have the longest line OF sea coast
of any other power In the world ex-
ccpt one-T 900 miles-and In addition
to that. Alaska. We have assumed re-
sponsibiity for law and order IN ran
anna. The spades and drills ana steam
shovels are there at work and the whole
world Is taking notice, because they
are to alter the paths of commerce anu
TO change the relations of nations Inc
future of the Monroe Doctrine Is IN the
custody of our navy. Its peacetnl rec
osuitiOn will be the tribute which other
nations pay. not TO the doctrine, but 10
our sea power.
We as a people do not fully nppre-
ciate the commercial jcalousies now eN-
isting In Europe against us'and whlch
Will be accentuated by the construction
and completion Of the Panama canal.
Not alone our states on the Pacific, but
the whole line OF ports ON the Atlantic
Coast, will come into this comeptition.
for the ports on the Atlantic coast are
ns near In miles TO Japan. China ana
the Orient by the Panama canal, ms
are the reservoirs that gather for dis
trlbutIon abroad. the products of Cont
mental Europe. or London, through the
Sucz Canal.
Commerce and our Sea Power.
This great future commerce cannot
be protected by treaties alone. We
cannot protect our commerce and eN-
pnnd our trade by mere arbitration nt
The Hague alone. We cnn only main
tain commerce by having n sen power
adequate for It's protection. for the ~
cnrlty Of our islands, and TO prevent
hostile dee, from destroying In n week
the Panama canal. after II has cost Ms
from two To three hundred million dol
lars aud ten years To build,
II Is therefore To the interest OF ev'
cry high. minded. public spirited Amerl'
can TO endorse the constructive policy
of the Republican party. and encourage
the establishment aud maintenance Of
n nrst'clnss American navy