We have a vast and intricate business, built up through years of toil and struggle, in which every part of the country has its stake, and will not permit of either neglect or of undue selfishness.  No narrow, sordid policy will subserve it.  The greatest skill and wisdom on the part of the manufacturers and producers will be required to hold and increase it.  Our industrial enterprises which have grown to such great proportions affect the homes and occupations of the people and the welfare of the country.  Our capacity to produce has developed so enormously and our products have so multiplied that the problem of more markets requires our urgent and immediate attention.  Only a broad and enlightened policy will keep what we have.  No other policy will get more.  In these times of marvelous business energy and gain we ought to be looking to the future, strengthening the weak places in our industrial and commercial system, that we may be ready for any storm or strain.

By sensible trade arrangements which will not interrupt our home production we shall extend the outlets for our increasing surplus.  A system which provides a mutual exchange of commodities, a mutual exchange is manifestly essential to the continued and healthful growth of our export trade.  We must not repose in fancied security that we can forever sell everything and buy little or nothing.  If such a thing were possible, it would not be best for us or for those with whom we deal.  We should take from our customers such of their products as we can use without harm to our industries and labor.  Reciprocity is the natural outgrowth of our wonderful industrial development under the domestic policy now firmly established.  What we produce beyond our domestic consumption must have a vent abroad.  The excess must be relieved through a foreign outlet and we should sell everywhere we can, and buy wherever the buying will enlarge our sales and productions, and thereby make a greater demand for home labor.

The period of exclusiveness is past.  The expansion of our trade and commerce is the pressing problem.  Commercial wars are unprofitable.  A policy of good will and friendly trade relations will prevent reprisals.  Reciprocity treaties are in harmony with the spirit of the times, measures of retaliation are not.  If perchance some of our tariffs are no longer needed, for revenue or to encourage and protect our industries at home, why should they not be employed to extend and promote our markets abroad?  Then, too, we have inadequate steamship service.  New lines of steamers have already been put in commission between the Pacific coast ports of the United States and those on the western coasts of Mexico and Central and South America.  These should be followed up with direct steamship lines between the eastern coast of the United States and South American ports.  One of the needs of the times is to direct commercial lines from our vast fields of production to the fields