New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-08
rHE PRESIDENT At SYRACUSE.

It was 10 new theme which engaged PreSi-
dent Rooseyelts attention at the State Fair.
The doctrine Of equal rights and duties has been
the familiar thought OF the American citizen
from the foundation Of the government In
fact it has been familiar. so much OF a com
mouplace that its real meaning is often lost
sight Of and in the name of democratic Ideals
We daily see policies defended which are the
very antithess OF trle democracy. The Presi-
cent has happily seized the occasion offered by
the Labor Day observance-wbch in itself as an
undemocratic institution limiting at the dlvis-
ion OF our people into clasSes-to call renewed
attention to the fundamental principles OF
American equality, and to apply them pointediy
70 the present situation.
Such teaching is certainly needed. We see Oh
the one hand labor unioniSts setting themselves
up as class and claiming special privileges and
irnmunities as such. declaring themselves ut
enmity with the tine honored instrument for
the preservation of order. the National Guard.
making excuse for riot as legitimate means
Of labor agitation. and denying the right of
citizens not in their union 10 earn living IN
this free land. On the other side we see the
heads of great corporations resenting the efforts
Of the officers of the government 10 hold them
to obedience 10 the law and practically demand-
ing. with threats against officials and people.
that they have a free hand 10 consolidate cor
porations and control the business interests OF
the country at their own sweet will We see
whole communities rising up and demanding as
q right liberation of mob violence against other
citizens who for any reason, good or bad,
incur the hate Of their neghbOrs. IL is time
that the old commonplace of American democ-
racy We're revitalized 10 the popular con-
science. and that wage earners and trust Or
N cha Presidents words.
We ask no mans permission when we require
him 10 obey the law: neither the permission
of the poor man nor yet Of the rich man.
Least OF all can the man Of great wealth afford
10 break the law. even for bis own financial adj
vantage: for the law is his prop and support.
"and il is both foolish and profoundly unpatri-
.'otic for him 10 fail IN giving hearty support
Ito those who show that there is in very fact
"cne law. and one law only. alike for the rich
and the poor. for the great and the small.
The President appreciates in its true sig
Dif1cance the recent stock market trouble. as
is shown by his passing reference 10 the loss
which falls on the innocent from speculative
frenzy which no legislation can avert: and he
shows thar he is not to he stsmpeded into any
radical and unsafe financial policy by specula-
tors who want more money 20 gamble with, but
j. concerned solely to secure currency legisla-
ton which viii benefit the American people as
a whole II is doubtless too much TO expect
that those who want the government to pull
their speculative chestnuts out Of the fire viii
he satisfied with such policy. but the public
in general will be. Neither. I'm all probability.
viii the spectators who have brought about the
recent shrirkace cease 70 shirk responsibility
10y saying it WAS all due 10 the President and
his Northern Securities litigation. Yet II they
would really think calmly. like the clear headed
business men they profess 20 be, they would
realize that they paint n sorry picture OF them
selves and their business structure when they
proclaim II such house OF cards that it can
only stand when the law gives IL a wide berth.
lets il do as II pleases and officials do not even
seek 70 rest its conformity to statutes.