Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-02
The Message

Mr. Roosevelt on this occasion leads for
attention like well-trained journalist The
first paragraph of his message recites the
story Of the national prosperity, and on the
strength of it he appeals to the national
pride. Both are inspiring topics, and he
handles them well. The country is pros
porous Along all lines of our endeavor We
are succeeding beyond all previous hope or
calculation. The result is that we are at
the head of the hunt among the nations.
and must consider whether or not We shall
remain there. The President on that point
but restates views with which the country
is already familiar, but he restates them so
clearly and periodically they possess all
the freshness of first deliverance. And
when he says to his countrymen that "even
if we would, we cannot play a small part"
he makes sure of approval and co-opera-
tion from every man who has followed the
national fortunes with interest and now ap-
plies the lesson with courage and tnteili-
gence. r-.
Passing to details. the President Is most
satisfactory on the subject of trusts. He
believes both that they should be and can
be regulated by law. He proposes cru
sade against either the right of capital to
combine the ordinary operations of capt.
tai after combination has been effected.
But he does propose restraint when prac-
tice has shown that restraint is necessary
in the public interests, and he asks Con-
gress to provide the means The present
law on the subject. as he thinks, can be
and should be strengthened, and If that
should fail of the desired purpose then an
amendment to the Constitution comforting
the desired power on the law-making body
would be in order, and he would favor it.
The reference to the tariff is open to the
objection of indefiniteness The subject is
examined from all sides. but a distinct pol
icy is not proposed. If there duties that
should be lowered that action should be
taken. If the reciprocity treaties now on
the Senate's table are not in satisfactory
shape they should be amended. But what
ever is done must be fashioned with due re-
gard TO the sensitiveness of invested CAPT
tai and the delicate adjustments of present.
day business conditions and phenomenally
large operations The Presidents clearest
point is that the principle of protection
should never for moment be dsregarded
forgotten; but on that point there is
really no disagreement in republican cir
cles. Revsionists and anti-revisionists are
as one to that.
We have in the paragraph relating to
Cuba an expression in the Presidents best
manner. He treats the subject in the as
pect of duty and feeling. well as in that
of what is called enlightened selfshness
We should do this thing for Cuba If it car
RED no material reward for us whatever;
but. as the matter stands. we shall be
abundantly rewarded In every way. Surely
Congress may be expected to respond
promptly to a recommendation which has
everything TO support it.
The canal question Is treated with reserve
and may be with good reason. At a later
day in the session we shall probably hear
something further from him. Colombia,
We may believe. will not be permitted to
daily much longer with so important mat
ter The President well understands, and
of course sympathizes with. the strong
popular desire for an isthmian canal, and
will not fail to the power conferred
upon him by Congress. to turn to Nicaragua
If Colombia persists in her attempted
squeeze
Upon the whole, the message gives evil
dence of conservatism with which the
Presidents opponents have not accredited
him, but which comes to even the most ag-
gressive men when the great responsibilities
of high station have fitted themselves to
the shoulders.