Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-08-14
the government: they are natlonaI Is
Merchant Marine.

Merchant Marine.
The question Of a merchant marine
turns back to the tariff again. to
which all roads seem to lead. and to
our registry laws which. If couples.
with the tariff, might almost be sup.
posed to have been intended TO take
the American flag OF the seas.
Bounties are not necessary, II 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 he point
ed out; and our merchants viii not
long suffer themselves-ought not to
suffer themselves-to be placed at
such disadvantage. Our industries
have expanded to such a point that
they viii burst their Jackets, II they
cannot find 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 VIII go the routes
they want them TO go-and perfer the
interests of America In their sailing
orders and their equipment. Oar 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 II is dam. For trade
is reciprocal; we cannot sell unless
we also buy.
taken the Panama canal seriously in
hand and are vigorously pushing It to-
wards completion is eloquent Of our
re-awakeped interest in international
trade. We are not building the canal
and pouring out million upon million
of money upon its 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. It is meant TO
be a great international highway. 1t
would be a little ridiculous II we
should build ii and then have no ships
to send through 1t. There have been
years when not a 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-of-war.
We shall not manage the revival by
the mere paltry devica of tolls We
must build and buy ships in competi-
ton with the world We can do 1t il
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 poseble within It's con
stitutional powers. No other platform
has given this intimate vision OF a
party's duty.
Free to Serve the Peoplc So
In concluding the governor said:
A presidential campaign may easily
degenerate into a mere personal con
test and so lose It's real dignity and
significance. There is no .indispensable
man. The government will not col.
lapse and go to pieces II any one OF
the gentlemen who are seeking to be
entrusted with its guidance should be
left st 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
h auf What Is our cause? The PEG,
Plies cause? That Is easy to say, but
what does It 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 10 set UP an unefr
tangled government a government
that ctnnot be used for private pur.
poses, either in the field OF business cr
in the field OF politics; a government
that viii 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 It IS a
great conception. but | am free 10
serve II. as you also are. could not
have accepted a nomination which, left
mo bound to any man or any group OF
men. No man can be Just who Is not
free; and no man who has TO show
favors ought to undertake the solennn
responsibility OF government Ia any
rank or post whatever, least OF all
II the supreme post of precedent Of
the United States.
To be free 1t is not necessarily TO
be wise. But wisdom comes with
counsel, with the frank and free con.
ference of untrammeled men united
in the common interest Should I be
entrusted with the great oAice OF
president. would seek counsel wher-
ever It could be had upon free terms.
know the temper OF the great con.
vention which nominated me; know
the temper Of the country that lay
back Of that convention aud spoke
through IT, | heed with deep thank.
fuIness the message you bring me
from t. ! feel that I am surrounded
by men whose principles and ambi-
lions are those Of true servants of the
people, ] thank God. and will take
courage.
Growing Turnips.