The West Demands A Merchant Marine

THE WEST DEMANDS A MERCHANT MARINE.

   The following resolutions by the Trans-Mississippi Congress should be read and pondered by every American citizen. The condition referred to is a shame and a dlsgrace to the American nation:

   "Resolved, By the transmissippi congress in fourteenth annual convention assembled, and representing twenty-one states and territories west of the Mississippi river, that the decline of our over-sea American merchant marine from carrying 90 per cent of our exported product in American bottoms down to 9 percent, is an anomaly in the industrial development of the United States, and for a nation with a greater coast line, greater resources and an unbroken record of enterprise of intrepidity on the ocean.

   "Resolved, That every ship missionary of trade; that steam ship lines work for their own countries just as railroad lines work for their terminal points, and that it is as absurd for the United States to depend upon foreign ships to distribute our products as it would be for a department store to depend upon the wagons of a competIng house to deliver its goods.   

   "Resolved, That it is the sense of this congress that the congress of the United States should enact such laws as will tend to build up the American merchant marine."

   The American desire is for voting men in all sorts and kinds of positions. This spirit is manifesting itself more strongly possibly than ever before in the Detroit conference now in session. The Methodists of the state all want young pastors. Undoubtedly there are some advantages to a church in having a young pastor and there are some disadvantages also. A young minister may appeal to the young people more strongly and yet this is scarcely necessarily so. He may be stronger in the young people's organizations possibly and be may possibly be stronger in some kinds of social work, but he certainly lacks, other things being equal, the power and influence as a preacher that an older man has. The young man, it would seem, could scarcely be the equal of the older man in carrying words of comfort to the afflicted and spiritual aid to those who feel the need of such help. Then, again, it would seem that this constant and growing insistent demand for young men must eventually weaken the ability of the ministerial profession. For if the period of usefulness is thus shortened, will not the tendency be to drive many of the best men into callings in which the serviceable period of life is longer?  And it must be true that in many matters of wisdom this calling as all others does not develop the highest ability in early years. There is, however, a lesson for the older ministers to learn in all this, and that is is Bishop Walden expressed it that while growing old in years they should strive to continue young in spirit.

   "If the issue of Antietam had been other than it was it is probable that at least two great European powers would have recognized the independence of the confederacy.

   'You men of the Grand Army, by our victory, not only rendered all Americans your debtors forevermore, but you rendered all humanity your debtors. I confidently predict that when the final judgment of history is recorded it will be said that in no other war of which we have written record was it more vitally essentlal for the welfare of mankind that victory should rest where it finally resettled." -Pres. Roosevelt at Antietam.

   The Detroit Tribune gallery of republican candidates "receptive" and otherwise, for the nomination for governor next line is an interesting exibit. They are Fred M. Warner, John J. Carton, Peter White, Gerrit J. Diekema, Justus.S. Stearns, George B. Horton and Perry F. Powers. This number might be reduced by three at one fell swoop. George B. Horton, the farmer candidate, has no more show of the nomination than he has of growing wings. Nor is there any show for Peter White, although he would make a governor of whom the people would be proud. And there is no more show for Justus S. Stearns. There may be some little chance for any one of the other four, but least probably for Diekema and most for Warner. Warner, at the present time is undoubtedly the machine candidate. Perry F. Powers is a hard worker for political preferment and has a wide acquaintance and may get to the front, but he is scarcely setting his heart on the next nomination, but is entirely willing for the gubernatorial lightning to strike him.  John J. Carton's chances are probably third in that trio.