River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-08-15
the government; they are national in-
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YeStmentS.
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 coupled
with the tariff, might almost be sup
posed to have been intended to take
the American flag off the seas.
Bounties are not necessary. If you
will but undo some of the things that
have been done. without great
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 a 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 themseIves-to be placed at
such disadvantage. Our industries
have expanded to such a point that
they will burst their jackets, II they
cannot find a 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 a 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 1t to-
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 its construction merely
to establish 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 great international highway. 1t
would be a little ridiculous If We
should build it and then have no ships
to send through it. 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 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 device of tolls. We
must build and buy ships in competi-
ticn with the world. We can do it If
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 it's con-
stitutional powers. No other platform
has given this intimate vision of 8
party's duty.
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
cd with itc or1,idopoa cbo,,Il -
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 pep
pies 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 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 a 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 to
serve it, as you also are. could not
have accepted nomination which left
me 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 solemn
responsibility of government in any
rank or post whatever, least of all
in the supreme post of president of
the United States.
To be free it 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 | be
entrusted with the great Office of
president, l would seek counsel wher-
ever it could be had upon free terms.
/ know the temper of the great con-
vention which nominated me; l know
the temper of the country that lay
back of that convention and spoke
through it. l heed with deep thank
fitness the message you bring me
from it. I feel that am surrounded
by men whose principles and ambi-
lions are those of true servants of the
people. l thank God. and will take
courage.
Scotland, silver medal and diploma
of recognition OF the services which