The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1914-01-15

rope may as we'll realize this truth now
as later. The Monroe doctrine, which
Senator Bacon fifty describes as "the
unwritten constitution Of the United
States" is a potent weapon of de-
weapon which the United States will
never surrender. Those who suggest
that the Monroe doctrine is obsolete,
or a hindrance to the best interests of
the United States, have a small and
one-sided view of the interests and
necessities of this country, which, for
tunately, is not shared by the respon-
sible heads of the United States gov
eminent. The Panama Canal has
made the Monroe doctrine more than
ever a vital part of the policy of the
United States, as European nations
discover whenever they run afoul of
it in their intrigues in Central and
South America.
Since the common welfare is the
chief purpose of the United States,
and since this welfare is best promot-
ed by the development of business and
commerce, the government should
avail itself of the greatest ability in
the business world. There should be
at least one great business mar in the
cabinet, to supplement the statesman
ship of others by practical suggestions
based upon ability and experience, as
to the best methods to pursue in fight
ing the battle for commercial suprem-
acy.
President Wilson has wisely broken
down several outworn traditions in
order to make progress, and he might
profitably break down another by in
viting the ablest business men of the
United States to share occasionally in
his cabinet counsels. When questions
arise calling for the exercise of far
sighted business and commercial abil-
ity and experience, as we'll as di-
plomacy, why should not some of the
strong, successful business men of the
country be called in to give their aid ?
The United States has such men-men
who have succeeded honorably in the
fierce struggle of business; men who
have the larger view of American
affairs; men who know at first hand
some of the problems confronting us
in our dealings with foreign rivals;
men who are as patriotic and as disin-
terested as any statesmen or diplo-
mats. These men know the economies
of business, and can point out the way
to success in foreign commerce.. Their
counsel, combined with that of legisla-
tors and statesmen, would be invalu-
able in enabling the president and his
cabinet to formulate and put into
effect policies which would utilize the
tremendous advantages of the United
States in competing with it's rivals.
The abuse of the press and the as
saults by small politicians upon the
business men of the country have de-
tered some of the greatest men in the
United States from holding office or
otherwise contributing their services
to their countrymen. S~elf-respect re-
strains many a patriotic man from in
curing the risk of Misrepresentation
and calumny, and the whole public is
the loser. The president can remedy
this state of affairs in large measure
by calling into counsel some of these
leaders of industry and commerce.
What matters it as to their politics,
their religion, or their previous indif-
ference to national affairs? Let the
strong ones, the honorable ones, the
successful ones be called in for the
good that they car do. An appeal to
their patriotism would not be made in
vain. Their experience is a valuable
asset which should be placed at the
disposal of the government. All that
President Wilson need do is to ask
for it.
Americans of the right sort do not
bewail the fact that other nations are
combining against US. They welcome
it! They do not blame European IA
tons for taking such steps as they
can to prevent the spread of republi-
canism, and to circumvent the United
States in trade and political Influence
in this hemisphere. They know that