Year: 1868




PRACTICAL NATIONALITY.


The New York World of recent date


contained characteristic letter from


the erratic George Francis Train. The


statement that "Durant took out So, ,OOO,-
OOOin gold to buy 10000 tons OF iron to


complete the Rock Island Railroad to


Omaha, suggests subject that should


be carefully considered. We do not


refer to the words, which inform the


reader that the relations existing be-
tween Montana and the States are to


become stronger and more intimate. We
wish every citizen of the United States
to remember that his country is not
independent in its material resources.
1t is admitted that the mineral wealth
of the American Republic is incalculable
by human agency. To assert that iron
can be found within its boundaries in
quantities which appear to be inexhaust-
ible, is saying nothing not already known
by all. Vital questions Immediately
fash through the mind that require
truthful answers. Is there any neces-
sity for purchasing in Europe the iron
that il used upon our railroads. Why
cannot the workingmen of the nation
compete with those of England or Swe~
den2 If there is any gFou.ed upon
which Mr.. Durant can justify his con-
duct above described, what is it2 This
discussion is confined to one feature of
commerce, but the principles involved


may be applied TO many daily transac-
tions. The invoices of the importers in
the cities that are washed by the west
ern waves of the Atlantic, will con-
vince one that another declaration of
independence must be proclaimed and
successfully vindicated, before orators
can sxult too fervently and eloquently in
the Senate or upon the rostrum. The
aid of the politician and soldier are not
needed in such a contest. The only
weapons that are sought by the partici-
pants therein are those of peace. Mil
lions in gold are transported every
month to the Old World to reward for
eign mechanics and develop the mines
of unfriendly nations. If it were posi-
BILE for US to ascertain the fact, we have
no hesitation in expressing the opinion
that nine-tenths of the precious aurifer-
GUS yield of Montana in 1S63456 are
now deposited in the safes and vaults
of European bankers. Our monitors can
destroy the fleets of those who desire to
wage open war against the land over
which floats the stars and stripes.
Armies of veterans, commanded by oth-
GERS of experience and ability, can van
quish all the hosts that can be brought
into action by its foes. Yet we do not
seek for the brilliant victories that would
surely crown our efforts upon the field OF
battle. Without one emotion of unjust
pride or biased patriotism, we can pro-
claim that the United States is indepen-
dent, and no foreign potentate can rem
der its nationality q nullity by appeal
ing to the hand of might. The glories
of peace must adorn the pages upon
which the history of America will be

inscribed. The earth of Pennsylvania
and Missouri holds within its graspiron,
so manifold in its uses; skillful laborers
can be found in every hamlet; every
railroad in the country, in fact every
enterprise in which metals OF various
descriptions are required. can be thor
oughly finished without expending one
dollar in the manufactures OF rivals oi
q different birth place. There is only
one obstacle to be overcome-the com
pensation of workmen. This is indeed
subject that must be handled with the
utmost degree of canton. Disregarding
the temptation to play the part OF a
demagogue and indulge in gasconader
we must remark that. while the services
of a man command eight and ten times
the pay in America that the same indus
try and knowledge are rewarded with in
Europe, our natural advantages will be