Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1912-08-08

subsidies. in the case OF the Missis-
sippl river, that great central artery
Of our trade. II 10 plain that the fed
erai government must build and main
tain the levees and keep the great
waters in harneS for the general use.
It Ii plain. too that vast sums OF
money must be spent 70 develop new
waterways where trade viii be most
served and transportation most read
lily cheapened by them. Such expen-
ditures are no largess on the part or
the government; they are national In
vestments.
Merchant Marine.
The question of merchant marine
turns back to the tariff again, to
which all roads seem to lead. and to
our registry laws, which, II coupled
with the tarinf. might almost be sup
posed to have been intepded to take
the American nag on the seas.
Bounties are not necessary. If you
will but undo some of the things that
have been done. Without a great
merchant marine we cannot take our
rightful place in the commerce OF the
world. Merchants who must depend
upon the carriers OF rival mercantile
nations to carry their goods to market
are at disadvantage in International
trade too manifest to need to be point
ed out; and our merchants will not
long suffer themselves-ought not to
suffer themselves-to be placed at
such a disadvantage. Our industries
have expanded to such a point that
they Will burst their jackets. II they
cannot And free outlet to the mar
kets Of the world; and they cannot
find such an outlet unless they be CIV
en- ships of their own to carry their
goods-ships that will go the routes
they want them to go-and perfer the
interests of America In their sailing
orders and their equipment. Our do
nestle markets no longer suffice. We
need foreign markets. That Is anoth-
er force that is going to break the
tariff down. The tariff was once a
bulwark; now 1t is dam. For trade
is reciprocal; we cannot sell unless
we also buy
The very fact that we have at last
taken the Panama canal seriously in
hand and are vigorously pushing Tito
wards completion Is eloquent of our
re-awakened interest in international
trade. We are not building the canal
and pouring out million upon million
of money upon it's construction merely
to establish a water connection be-
tween the two coasts of the continent,
important and desirable as that may
be, particularly from the point Of
view of naval defense. 1t is meant to
be a great international highway. 1t
would be a little ridiculous If we
should build 1t and then have NO ships
to send through 1t. There have been
years when not single ton Of freight
passed through the great Suez canal
in an American bottom. so empty are
the seas Of our ships and seamen.
We must mean to put an end to that
Kind of thing or we would not be cut
ting a new canal at our very doors
merely for the use Of our men-oflwar.
We shall not manage the revival by
the mere paltry device Of tolls. We
must build and buy ships in competi-
ton with the world. We can do 1t II
we will but give ourselves leave.
There is another duty which the
Democratic party has shown itself
great enough and close enough to the
people to perceive. the duty of govern
ment to share in promoting agricul-
tural, Industrial, vocational education
in every way possible within its con-
stitutional powers. No other platform,
has given this intimate vision Of
party's duty.
Freetto Serve the People.
In concluding the governor said:
A presidential campaign may easily
degenerate into mere personal con-
test and so lose its real dignity and
Significance. There is no indispensable
man. The government will not col
lapse and go to pieces If any one Of
the gentlemen who are seeking to be
entrusted with its guidance should be
left at home. But men are instru-
ments. We are as important as the
cause we represent. and in order to
be important must really represent a
cause. What is our cause? The peo-
pies cause? That is easy to say. but
what does 1t mean? The common as
against any particular interest what
ever? Yes, but tht, too, needs trans
lation into acts and policies. We rep
resent the desire to set up an unen-
tangled government, a government
that cannot be used for private pur-
poses, either in the field of business or
in the field Of politics; a government
that will not tolerate the use of the
organization of great party to serve
the personal aims and ambitions OF
any individual, and that will not per
nit legisltion to be employed to fur
Their any private interest. 1t Is .
great conception, but am free to