The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1905-09-16
DESPOTISM
OF POWER

Idaho World, delivered the principal
address at the Portland Labor Day ex-
ercises, September 4. The. address in
part follows:
Each American, whether he works
with his head or his hands; whether he
IS an employer or wage Garner; no
matter where he was born or what creed
he Processes, is entitled to be Judged nv
his fellows on his worth as a man. In
return he Is bound in honor to do his
pest TO give to every man fair deal.
Tor no man deserves more and no man
should receive less."
Mr.. Chairman, and friends; I have
chosen these words from recent public
address OF prominent member of the
Brotherhood Of Locomotive Firemen-
Theodore Roosevelt. In their spirit it
will be my endeavor to speak to you
today.
1t Is in the nature of man to follow
example when he will not give heed to
precept, and it rejoices me today to
know that the American citizen mas
continually before him - pillar of
cloud by day and a pillar of fire by
night - the life and character of the
noblest among living men = the presi-
dent Of the United States. He it is
who says, Each American is entitled
to be judged on his wortL as man. y
He it is who says, every man de
serves fair deal - neither more mol
less" These are the truths that power
ia denying in practice, but which ovel
= .a..non American workingmen ar,
banded together to defend.
1t was the "Bard of Avon" who said
ooh, it is excellent to have a giant
strength, but it is tyrannous to use i
like giant" The power which gol,
confers does not possess the characte
OF benevolence. True, there have beel
instances wherein men have acquire,
power and used it gently, but they ar
rare-and as refreshing-as the shower
that come in summer. The abuse {
power is the rule, and it is the abus
of power which is giving the peopl
concern.
The quarrel is not so much with tn
: man who has power as with the cond
D tions which bestow it. The systeI
a which makes the happiness and we
: being of thousands subject to the cs
price of an individual, or an associatio
: of individuals, is wrong, and to diffus
8 this power among the people should
: the ambition of every man, whether
4; private or in public life.
d My brothers, l have not come to yo
k with message Of pessimism. Or
If cannot breathe the free air of Idaho
&c glorious valleys and not catch the SUI
g shine in his life; so when say to yC
that there are great wrongs to be RICH
ls ed in this land we love so we'll, I wou
sr have you know that believe they cs
p be and will be righted-righted by Il
g. genius, and in the wrath if need be
ID him who is greater than all the crown
le sovereigns that have been or are-yo
ts brother and mine-the American eli
zen.
ct Ours is government designed to
as tablish man in the fulness of libert
ae and its people will not be shackled
IN mind or in industry, because shack
is strong enough for that purpose ha
ir never yet been forged.
ol But they are patient nation,
ed American people. Conscious of
strength of race of giants, they ha
ue elected to remain gentle under provo'
w ton to strike, and strike hard. But
who says they are afraid does not re
their history Alright.
There are five men in this couni
xt today who, acting in concert, col
cd stop the wheels Of industry and brl
about the desolation that follows pan
to True, they don't do lit wouldn't |
in dollars and cents just now; but
power is theirs--the power that
tn people must regain. 1t does not al
AN the condition any to say that one
these men is a prominent member
- the Baptist church; the church Il
ago found him burden. 1t does
subtract anything from the danger
saw that another Of these power
a throned men is erecting free libral
Il of marble and granite. In the eye
81 labor these are but the monume
a offered by stricken conscience to
Il martyred toilers of Homestead and
Il timer - martyrs to the despotisn
81 power.
a From servile courts they have WI
the brutal injunction, and with
II fruits of labor's toll purchased legi
tion to keep themselves in power-t
n asked applause for erecting schools
q the children of the poor are not peri
# tod the leisure to attend, and for nj
nj Libraries with books that they 90
MI know how to read.
81 rejoice that the despotism OF Pc
MI does not rest so heavily upon the
mi and women of the golden west as
$M the toilers of the eastern states.
$N in this Eden-land gives an lnterpl
MI t;on to liberty that they have no.
$$l nerienced and therefore cannot un
mi stand; but in the great struggle
# engages them they have the rign
$$ expect help from you.
$ And the time will come, ana
ouicklv. when you will need their
- preserve America for the Amer
Ssh neople. 1t has long been one o
pnholy ambitions of the despotls
W NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. is econ
~ ..-.,sta Jazus