The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-20
M'LAURIN AND SHIP SUBSIDY.
MIR. .. G.. Dunbar Comments ON The
Lack OF AN American Merchant Ma
rinc.
Mr. Editor:


In your issue OF the 9th you publish
Senator McLaurin's speech delivered
before the cotton spinners' association
In Atlanta. Ga. in November. 1902, as
given out by the Yorkville Enquirer.
with all OF the apprehension and
doubt with which many South Caro-
hnians are possessed. we are compell-
ed to admit that i'm that address. we
lind. especially ut this day "a thread
OF common sense and craftsmanship
standing out in bold relief. 1t is not
my purpose TO defend McLaurin in
MS deeds of the past. as / suppose he
Is able without my weak assistance to
take care OF himself but / do think
that every man should have credit for
what ne Is worth. The ship subsidy
Dill, IL remember right. was ~ re-
publican measure and was fought and
defeated for that reason; and sad
mistake IL was .as time has fully
demonstrated. The commercial fleet
OF this country was destroyed by the
Confederate cruisers. Sumter and Ala
bama. during the war between the
sections. commanded by Admiral
semmes and we have depended on
ships OF other nations ever since to
deliver our goods. The greatest coun-
try In the world. producing more than
any other people. boasting OF our pro-
gress I'm finances and manufacture
and yet employing the other fellows
wagon at his own prices to deliver our
goods; IL Is sad commentary and n
reflection on economis foresight of
our government We have Jagged i'm
any trade relations with foreign ma
tions for the simple excuse that we
have not had the means of transpor-
tation to do the business that we
shouid have done. Trade expansion
Is and has been one OF our greatest
needs. Instead OF sending our pro-
ducts to Japan India. China and 9TH
er parts OF the world and selling them
direct we have used England, France
and Germany as middle factors, who
have realized huge profits "a great
per cent OF which we would have saw
ed IL we only had put ourselves
In a position to do it,
The country today is feeling acutely
the lack OF bottoms to transport her
great quantities of material she is
producing and under the burden OF
the greatest war the world has ever
known she is forced TO labor and
chafe In doing things that she should
have been at in the past.
IL Is an IN wind that blows nobody
any good. This war has stirred the
globe with it's cruelties and horrors.
has squandered billions of money and
destroyed hundreds of thousands of
lives; invasion has been rampant over
helpless people and territories; suf-
fering of every description has been
thrust upon the innocent and democ-
racy threatened by autocracy and inn
perialism. but with all OF its blackness
u Is doing good to this county I'm
waking her up To the opportunities
which has long been within her reach.
but carelessly ignored. Expansion of
trade stimulates production and the
greater the production with remuner-
ative market. the wealthier and great
er the country
Politics has cut quite a figure i'm the
past among US. II has smothered and
suppressed measures that would have
been OF much benefit TO the coun,rv
should they have become factors in
the economies OF our country. Par.
tisanshlp very often carries more force
than statesmanship. and i'm many in.
stances. our political enthusiasm side.
tracks our judgment
III we had been supplied with n
commercial marine when this wa,
broke upon Europe. we could have
accomplished so much more i'm aidina
the allies that doubtless the centra
powers by now would have seen tn,
futility In trying TO overcome her op
ponents and would be submitting
terms of peace which the allies woul'
feel more disposed TO consider. Pre-
pare for war i'm time Of peace is no
"a had idea.
j. e. DUNBAR.