The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-12
THE SPIRIT OF TRADE
It Desires an Honorable Rivalry
With Peace and Prosperity
- !. - to All. ',,s. - g., ~. y ....
President Roosevelt's Notable Speech
at the Chamber of Commerce
Banquet.

New York. Nov. 12-At the evening
banquet following the dedication Of the
new Chamber of Commerce yesterday,
President Roosevelt, after a eulogy Of New
York city and It's commanding position
in the industrial world, said:
This body stands for the triumphs OF
peace, both abroad and at home. We
have passed that stage of national de-
relopment when depreciation Of other peo-'
pies Is felt as a tribute to our own.
We watch the growth and prosperity OF
other nations, not with hatred or jeal-
ousy, but with sincere and friendly good
will.
Il think I can safely say that we have
shown by our attitude toward CUBA, py
our attitude toward China; that az regards
weaker powers our desire is that they may
be able to stand alone, and that II they
will only show themselves willing to con-
duct themselves fairly with the rest OF
mankind, we on our side will do all we
can to help and not to hinder them. E
with the great powers Of the world
we desire no rivalry that Is not honor
able to both parties. We wish them well.
We believe that the trend Of the modern
spirit Is ever stronger toward peace. not
war, toward friendship, not hostility, as
the normal International attitude. We
are glad. indeed, that we are on good
terms with al the other peoples OF man
KIM, ana no EFFORT on our part SliaAA
be spared to secure a continuance OF
these relations. And remember. gentle
men, that we shall be a potent factor
to peace largely In proportion to the ex-
tent we make 1t evident that our att1-
tude Is due not to weakness, not to In
ability to defend ourselves. but to a
genuine repugnance to wrongdoing, gen
uine desire for self-respecting friendship
with our neighbors. The voice OF the
EDu nr counts nOtN
Ing when he clamors for peace, but the
voice Of the just man, armed. Is potent.
1--WE need to keep in a condition Of pre-
paredness, especially as regards our navy.
not because we want war, but because we
desire to stand with those whose plea
for peace is listened 10 Win respectful
attention.
''Important though it Is that we should
have peace abroad. it is even more i'm
portant we should have peace at home.
You men of the chamber Of commerce,
to whose efforts we owe so much OF our
Industrial we'll being, can. and, believe,
surely will. be influential in helping
toward that industrial peace which can
obtain in society only when In their Var1-
Gus rela tions, employer and employed
alike, show not merely iEsistence each
upon his own rights, but also REGARDS lot
the rights of others, and also full &C
Acknowledgement Of the interests or the
third party-the pubic.
1T is no easy matter to work out sys-
tenn or rule Of conduct whether with or
without the help of the lawglver, when
shall minimize that Earring and cashing
of interests In the industrial world "nAcn
causes so much Individual irritation ana
suffering at the present day, ana Whlch al
times threatens baleful consequences 10
large portions Of the body polite. But
the importance OF the program cannot be
overestimated and 1t deserves to receive
the, careful thought Of all men, sncn as
these whom l am addressing to-nleht'
There should be no yielding TO wrong put
there should most certainly he not only
desire to do right, but Willingness each
to trv to understand the viewpoint or MS
fellow: with whom for veal or for voc,
bis fortunes are indissolubly bound.
mo patent remedy can be devised
,or the solution Of these grave problems
in the industrial world; but we may RESI-
assured that they can pc soiVeo IL We
bring to the solution the old-time Vlr'
tues and II we strive 10 keep oul VI .''e ~
luton some Of the most familiar and some
of the most undesirable traits to which
mankind has owed untold degradation and
suffering throughout ages
.Arrogance, suspicion, brutal envy OF
the well-to- do, brutal Indifference TOWARD
those who are not well-to-do, the harsn
refusal to see the rights Of others, the
beneficient action, the base appeal to the
spirit Of selfish greed, whether 1t take the
form Of plumber of the fortunate or OPP
preston Of the unfortunate-from these
and from all kindred vices this nation
must be kept free il it is to remain In it:
present position in the forefront OF the
peoples Of mankind. On the other hand
good will come even out Of the presen
evils II we face them armed with the olc
homey virtues; If we show that we are
fearless of soul, cool Of head, and kind!
of heart; if, without betraying the weak
ness that cringes before, wrong-doing, W.
vet show by; deeds and words our knoWl
edge that all and each one Of us will &C
as our brothers keeper
at time when the grave complexit.
of our social and industrial life has rem
dered inevitable the intrusion Of the stat
into spheres Of work wherein 1t formerl.
took no part, and where also there Is 1
growing tendency to demand the illegiti
ma tie and unwise transfer to the govern
ment of much Of the work that should b.
done by private persons, singly or asso
ciated together,it Is a pleasure to address
body whose members possess to an emin
ent degree the traditional American self
reliance of right which makes them scorl
to ask of the government, whether Of ma
ton or state. anything but fair field AM
no favOr-who conf1de not in being helped
by others. but in their own SKILL energ,
and business capacity to achieve success
The first requisite of good citizen il
this republic Of ours is that he shall b,
able and willing to pull his weight-that h
shall not be q mere passenger, but shall
do his share In the work that each genera
ton Of US finds ready to hand and fur
thermore that In doing his work he shall
show not only the capacity for sturdy self
help. but self-respecting regard for tn
rights Of others. -
THE chamber Of commerce, it Is no idl
boast to say, stands in pre- eminent de
gree for those qualities which mako tn
successful merchant. the successful bust
ness man, whose success is won in way
honorable to himself and beneficial to hi
fellows. There are very different kind