Our country is now passing through a rapid growth of progress and power and prestige which will soon place her in the leadership of the nations, with every means necessary for extending civilization, enlightenment, commerce and better government over the world. We have come to the time when we must take up the mighty work of further cultivating and improving the condition of mankind, and we will continue this great work until our labors shall have brought to pass better conditions of government, co-ordination of interests, education, and peace and good will among the nations of the earth. In the progress of civilization since the dawn of the Christian era, the momentous task of leadership has devolved first upon Rome, then upon Spain, then upon England. It seems to have been reserved for the “Young Giant of the West” to complete the tasks undertaken, and assemble into one great community of interest vast national forces which have been the growth of centuries. In due time we shall no doubt finish the work and bring peace and good will to men in every part of the world and prepare men everywhere to turn the spear into a pruning hook, the sword into a ploughshare and to give freedom and protection and prosperity to all sorts and conditions of men, and put an end to strife between the nations. We believe that such is the great office to which we have been called, and that our functions as the leading nation of the world have already begun.
ALL THE PRECEDING PAGES WERE
WRITTEN YEARS AGO, AND WHAT FOLLOWS
BRINGS THE WORK UP TO THE
DATE OF THIS ISSUE, MARCH 31ST, 1908.
CHAPTER LXIV.
MY CHRISTMAS ADDRESS TO CUSTOMERS DEC. 24, 1906.
You can now realize why we have for so long a period had a congested stock market. It started by the accumulation of Union Pacific by comparatively few people, the purchases being commenced in 1903, the panic year, when the price dipped to 65. By the time the stock touched 100 the accumulation was complete. Then the manipulation was begun for its advance to 190, at which time the ten per cent. dividend was declared, since which the process of distribution has been going on. St. Paul, Northern Pacific, and Great Northern have gone through a similar process. Prior to the declaration of the increased stock issues by these companies, the larger part of the old stock had been bought up by the inside knowing ones, after which the new issues were announced to the public. The profit to the holders of these stocks can be measured by the market value of the rights. Now we all know what the large holdings of these stocks meant. The inside magnates having nearly all of them, the outsiders were left out in the cold, and were consequently in the dark; but now the light of day flashes over the situation. You are asked to buy the rights which represent insiders’ profits, all of which is water pure and simple. The accumulation of stocks has now ceased and distribution is under way, and that is why the market has this present fit of liquidation, which must go on until completed. Then the situation will have righted itself legitimately, and not until then. Remember what I tell you: that the accumulation of stock as I have described has produced the present congested money market, and the unlocking of the former will, after a short time, unlock the other; then all will be well again. The present turbulent waves will pass over without many shipwrecks, and then will come calm weather and a smooth sea. Patience is a great virtue; exercise it, and wait for bottom; then get in and get rich.
Gentlemen, this is my Christmas greeting to you. You all have my best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year.