Middletown transcript., 1904-12-10
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

President Roosevelt's message il al
together out Of the old rut. It is the
product at once Of an original student
and progressive executive. 1t IL fnli OF
thoughtful, we might say philosophical,
discussion, and it bristlet with admins
trative purpose. Instead of being dry,
jejune summary Of Department reports it
is juicy, fecund development of various
public themes which appeal 60 an active
| and penetrating mind. not always in
logical order. At the same time there is
no overshadowing topic, nothing startling
nothing for agitation, no new departure,
no disturbing movement. 1t could DC
made shorter if it were less fertile and
duler if it followed the stereotyped from.
"The message opens with discussion
Of the relations OF capital and labor,
breaks like rapid-iring gun into two or
three Of the Presidents quick sugges-
tions, and then returns to labor and capi
tai. The treatment is in the Presidents
direct and characteristic spirit OF fair
play all around. Capital is to be sus-
tanned, but not to be grasping and op-
pressive. Labor is to be encouraged,
but not to be violent and intolerant. A
stringent employers liability law is re-
commended wherever the Federal power
extends. We have medals OF honor for
heroic service at sea, the President pro-
poses them for similar service on land.
The Bureau Of Labor has done good
work and will become more useful A
special report on the Beef Trust is COM
ing. Corporations are not to be antago-
nized as such. but regulated for the pub
lie interest. The National Government
alone can deal effectively with those en-
gagged in interstate commerce. More i'm
portant than any legislation is the growth
of full respect on the part of each element
for the rights of all the others. 1t is
urged that the abuse Of rebates must be
stopped and the question is raised
whether the power Of the Bureau of Cor
porations ought not to be extended to
insurance.
In connection with the control Of the
Federal Government over Washington
the President discusses the complexities
and evils of city life and appropriate re-
medical measures. He treats the de-
velopment OF agriculture and the varia-
ton OF our products with an intelligence
and enthusiasm second only to that Of
Farmer Wilson himself, and when he
comes to forestry he shows his Western
training. He rightly wants the present
divided care Of the reserves concentrated
in the one Department of Agriculture.
He seeks to improve the Indian service
by closer relationship between the cen
trail bureau and the agent in the field.
Then follow Endorsement of the rural
free delivery, advocacy Of national
quarantine law, word for the upbuild-
ing OF merchant marine, needed safe
guards around immigration and naturali-
zation, the protection Of elections, the ex-
pedition OF criminal prosecutions and the
amelioration of conditions in Alaska.
'sWhen the message reaches tile subject
Of foreign policy it takes on note Of
yigor and tone of elevation. The up
lift is Immediately felt. Not any men,
ace; not any turbulence; but patriotic
and national inspiration. The President
extols peace, but the peace Of justice,
and not the peace of tyrannous terror or
craven weakness. The nation is bound
to infiict no wrong and to suffer no in
justice. 1t must be able to assert its
rights and protect itself. Its just attitude
toward the world cannot be maintained
without considering the army and the
navy, for it is idle to declare policies
without tile power to support them.
While prepared for emergencies the
country should seek in every honorable
way for the peaceful adjustment Of all
differences. The Government is, there-
fore, negotiating arbitration treaties
wherever practicable, and has invited
second Hague Conference.
but though ardently devoted to peace
this country has mission and respon-
sibility. 1t has special obligation in
the Western Hemisphere. III this con-
nection the President takes no back
track. In all the dignity Of message to
Congress he repeats the pregnant hints
and admonitions Of his breezy letter to
the Cuban dinner last Spring "-Phiia.
Press.