And if this debate promotes in the smallest way an improvement on even the relatively tolerable conditions that may prevail today for the seadog on all vessels that cruise the seas. it will not have been held or had in vain. It is on the anvil of discussion that this spark of truth will fly and the one who believes that this discussion will not improve conditions on board of our ships is blind to the obvious facts of human existence. Give us a merchant marine made up of Americans. born and bred on our soil. and not a fleet of peons and Asiatic coolies with the American flag flying. as it in mockery over their heads. Give us a merchant marine that will be a benefit. a satisfaction. an inspiration to the American people who are paying for it and not one only for the profit of operators whose luck and richness has made them more insolent than if they had paid for the fleet. instead of fattening off it.
Identified stereotypes
Characterizing Asian laborers as 'peons and Asiatic coolies'.