The Delta independent., 1924-07-04
COOLIDGE BEFORE sRocKToN
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,
APRIL t1TH, 1915

Nan 8 nature drives MIN ever OH
ward He is forever seeking develop
ment At one time It may be by the
chase, at another by warfare, and
again by the quiet arts OF peace and
commerce, but something within is
ever calling him on to ''replenish the
earth and subdue it"
1t may be OF little importance to de-
termine at any time just where We
are. but 1t is of the utmost import
ance to determine whittier We are
going Set the course Alright and time
must bring mankind to the ultimate
goal
We are living in a commercial age.
1t is often designated as selfish and
materialistic. We are told that every
thing has been commercialized. They
say 1t has not been enough that this
spirit should dominate the marts OF
trade. II has spread to every avenue
OF human endeavor, to our arts. our
sciences and professions our politics.
our educational institutions and even
into the pulpit; and because OF this
there are those who have gone 30 far
in their criticism OF commerciaIism as
to advocate the destruction OF all en-
terprise and the abolition OF all prop
erty.
Destructive criticism is always easy
because, despite some campaign ora
tory, some OF Us are not yet perfect.
But constructive criticism Is not 30
easy. The faults OF commercialism.
like many other faults, lie In the use
we make OF IT, Before we decide up
on a Wholesale condemnation OF the
most noteworthy spirit OF modern
times 1t would be well to examine
carefully what that spirit has done to
advance the welfare of mankind.
Wherever we can read human his
tory the answer Is always the same
Where commerce has flourished there
civilization has increased II has not
sufficed that men should tend their
flocks, and maintain themselves in
comfort on their industry alone. how
ever great 1t is only when the ex-
change OF products begins that de
velopment follows. This was the case
in ancient Babylon. whose records OF
trade and banking we are Just begin
ming to read. Their merchandise
went by canal and caravan to the
ends OF the earth. 1t was not the
war galleys. but the merchant vessel
OF Phoenicia. OF Tyre. and Carthage
that brought them civilization and
power Today II is not the battle
fleet. but the mercantile marine which
in the end will determine the destiny
OF nations. The advance of our own
land has been due to our trade, and
the comfort and happiness OF our peo-
pie are dependent on our general bust
ness conditions. 1t Is only figure
OF poetry that wealth accumulates
and men decay" Where wealth has
accumulated, there the arts and
sciences have flourished. there educa.
tion has been diffused. and OF CON
temptation liberty has been born. The
progress OF man has been measured
by his commercial prosperity. be
lieve that these considerations are suf.
ficient to justify our business enter.
prise and activity. but there are still
deeper reasons.
| have intended to indicate not only
that commerce is an instrument OF
great power, but that commercial de.
velopment is necessary to all human
progress. What. then. of the prevalent
criticism? Men have mistaken the
means for the end. II is not enough
for the individual or the nation to nc
quire riches. Money will not purchase
character or good government. We
are under the injunction to "replenish
the earth and subdue IT," not 30 much
because Of the help new earth will
be TO u.s. as because by that process
man Is to find himself and thereby
realize his highest destiny. Men
must work for more than wages. fac.
tories must turn out more than
merchandise, or there is naught but
black despair ahead.
II material rewards be the only
measure OF success. there is no hope
of peaceful solution of our social
questions for they win never be large
, enough to satisfy But such is not the
case. Men struggle for material mc-
cess because that is the path. the