The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-06-15
St. PETER'S GRADUATES ARE GIFTED

the remotest corners Of the earth,
commerce has made friends Of stran-
ger lands, and fostered brotherhood
among men.
History records that the great ma
tons Of the ancient world We're
famed for their commercial activities,
and we're almost without exception
powerful amongst their neighbors in
war, and advanced in ideas of govern
ment. Commercial enterprise has
been a great factor in the history of
discovery and conquest. Its demands
were the providential cause of open
ing UP to the world this western
hemisphere, where in Gods own time
was instituted the first real govern
ment of the people and by the peo-
pie. In the 18th century intercourse
between the continents of Europe and
Asia was fraught with difficulties and
grave perils, because Of the great
distance by an overland route; and
it was to find a shorter passage that
moved the great Columbus to explore
the unknown and mysterious waste Of
waters.
One of mans first impulses Is to
trade, even the ragged urchin on the
corner loves to swap marbles, knives
or anything else that he may be for
tunate enough to possess.
In primitive times this change of
commodities was the only kind of bar
ter, but this was accompanied by
many inconvenience, and gradually
nations began to recognize the neces-
sity of some common medium. The
Lydians are given the honor of orig.
mating gold coins in the It'll century
b. c., and Greece about the same time
became the birth place of silver COIN
since then the money problem has
simplified the economy of commerce
and the money world rules the day.
The mind Of man has contributed
to the development OF commerce in
various ways by wonderful inven-
lions. In the 18th century. the marin
ers compass enabled ships to push
out boldly on the mighty Deep In
the 18th century, rude specimen of
the steam engine the beginning as it
were of the great railway system that
forms a net work over the land, revo-
lutionized the trade of that period.
The telegraph invention of 1887 has
grown until now it uses enough Of
wire to extend sixty times around the
globe. The year 1866 was signalized
by the successful completion of a
submarine telegraph which united the
two hemispheres by lines of instant
communication. now twelve cables
connect us with Europe.
The wireless telegraph and the
telephone have almost annihilated
space and time. Since Benjamin
Franklin brought down the lightning
flash from the skies, the electric cur
rent has been the slave Of man. i
writes his thoughts at the distance OF
thousands OF miles, whilst his streets
and houses are as luminous by night
as by day.
Recent events have gwen new
impetus to the commercial enthusiasm
in this country. We are no longa'
alone; the "open door" policy, and
free competition have made us worit
renowned. Our ships traverse every
known sea, and bring products froT
the whole world, whilst our food
markets supply other countries witt
the necessities of life.
! The United States seems indeed t
/ be the land favored by Providence
with
DAYS Of plenty and years of peace
Marks of a strong lands swift in
crease
Equal justice, right and law
estately hoonr and reverend awe"