The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-01
FROM OTHER PENS
SOUTH AMERICAN rRADE.

Perhaps it is safe to say that the
Latin-American countries to the south
of us are popularity regarded in the
United States more as tumultuous,
| disorderly countries than in any other
light. 1t must be admitted that troub-
lous events are Of all too common oc-
currence in Central and South Amer
lea, yet the passing interest shown by
North Americans in those events is
entirely misdirected If the countries
are viewed from no other standpoint.
Popular respect in this country for
the importance of South America
may be nightly increased by careful
consideration of our trade relations
with that region. For example, it is
an impressive fact that the imports
into the United States from South
America this year are estimated at
$260,O00,000, showing an increase of
40 per cent over last years figures.
In ten months of this year this coun-
try used S45,000,000 pounds, or $64,-
900, 900 worth of coffee. eight-ninths
of which came from South America.
Brazil alone furnished more than 600,-
100000 pounds. Coffee, as has been
seen, Is only an indication of the gen.
eral trade between the United States
and South America, but the figures re-
| lating to the imports of that staple
| alone are not to be passed lightly by.
In the matter. too, of our exports to
South America may be found food for
Observation-Disclosures Union.
THE SURE TENDENCY.
SOCIALISM, says an English news
paper, "was bound to come upon US
with the adoption of an educational
system negligent of the peoples man
ners, morals and industries, but in
sistent upon academic trifles and in
tellectual gymnastics" In our state
of Oregon we are getting similar re-
suits from similar causes. We are
training twenty times as many Sin
tellectualS" as can obtain employment
under the government or in the "pro-
fessions.''
1t is not to be supposed. however,
that statement of this fact will make
any difference whatever in the tenden-
cy of the times-now. or for long
period. But it's just as we'll TIC under
stand the tendency and movement
nevertheless. Our educational system
is rapidly working us toward state So
cialism. This, apparent now to dis
Greet observers. will become more and
more apparent to the whole body,
with progress of time.
but what are you going to do about
it ?" Nothing. 1t is impossible to ar
rest a tendency in a great people.
The tendency must run its course.
Then something else will be done. But
every observer and thinker for a long
time has perceived that the tendency
of our educational system was toward
state socialism. Indeed. the system is
SOCIALISM 1ISSll.-6O IlldAu OISOI11ll.
FOLLY OF BANQUETS.
The constitution. of the United States
prohibits the iEfliction of any punish
ment or penalty whatever without due
process of law and 1t also prohibits
any cruel and unusual punishment
even when guilt has been proved. From
both points of view it might be ar
gued that the American system of BAN
quoting public men should be radical
Ivy revised downward, in the interests
of the simple life and that maximum
of longevity which is desired by all
normally constructed human beings,
even public men. An esteemed con-
temporary, quite independently of the
case here suggested, argues for pub
lie dinners Which shall be digestible
rather than descending, and temperate
rather. than terrifying which shall
make the honored guests of the even
ing grateful rather than merely in-
f1ated, and from which he will lie
down to pleasant dreams rather than
to Nightmares 1t is much to the
credit of human nature. that the in
stinct of hospitality, as old as the first
stranger and the first welcome, has
survived without diminution- To our
guest we give the best we have,
whether it is a II course Taft din
ner or the baked potatoes which Fran
els Marion spread before the English
officer.-Kansas City Journal.