The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1905-10-07
DESPOTl ISM
OF POWER

avery Y. Moore, editor Of the Weiser
Qdaho) World, delivered the principal
address at the Portland Labor Dav 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 a wage Garner: no
matter where he was born or what creed
ne processes, is entitled to be Judged by
his fellows on his worth as a man In
return he is bound in honor to do his
best to give to every man a fair deal,
Tor no man deserves more and no man
should receive iess.''
Mr.. Chairman, and friends: / have
chosen these words from a recent public
address OF prominent member OF the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen-
Theodore Roosevelt. In their spirit it
Wlli 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 has
continually before him - pillar of
cloud by day and q pillar of fire by
night $500 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.
He it is who says, "Every man de-
serves fair deal - neither more MOI
less. :" These are the truths that power
is denying in practice, but which over
a million American workingmen are
banded together to defend.
It was the "Bard of Avon" who said
"Oh, it is excellent to have giants
strength, but it is tyrannous to use il
like giant" The power which golt
confers does not possess the character
of benevolence. True. there have beer
instances wherein men have acquired
power and used it gently, but they arr
rare-and as refreshing-ss the shower
that come in summer. The abuse o
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 condi
tions which bestow it. The system
which makes the happiness and wei
being of thousands subject to the ca
price of an individual, or an association
of individuals, is wrong, and to diffus
this power among the people should b
the ambition of every man, whether il
private or in public life.
My brothers, / have not come to yoI
with message of pessimism. On
cannot breathe the free air of Idaho
glorious valleys and not catch the sun
shine in his life; 80 when say to yo
that there are great wrongs to be right
ed in this land we love so we'll, I woul
have you know that I believe they ca
be and will be righted-righted by tn
genius, and in the wrath if need be {
him who is greater than all the croWne
sovereigns that have been or are-you
brother and mine-the American cit
zen.
Ours is a government designed to Ell
tablish man in the fulness of liberty
and it's people will not be shackled i
mind or in industry, because shackle
strong enough for that purpose hav
never yet been forged.
But they are patient nation, til
: American people. Conscious of th
strength of race of giants, they hav
elected to remain gentle under provoc'
ton to strike, and strike hard. But b
who says they are afraid does not res
their history Alright.
There are five men in this countr
/ today who, acting in concert, coul
stop the wheels of industry and brlr
about the desolation that follows pani
True, they don't do lit wouldn't pa
5 in dollaJs and cents just now; but tt
!, power is theirs.-the power that tt
people must regain. 1t does not alt'
. the condition any to say that one
these men is a prominent member
| the Baptist church; the church lo1
! ago found him a burden. It does n
4 subtract anything from the danger
b, say Glab aHObA0F u UAOoO P0WoA
throned men is erecting free librarl
of marble and granite. In the eyes
labor these are but the monumen
offered by stricken conscience to Il
. martyred toilers of Homestead and La
> timer - martyrs to the despotlsm
. power.
> From servile courts they have wrul
> the brutal injunction, and with t!
. fruits of labor's toll purchased leglsl
> ton to keep themselves in power-th'
: asked applause for erecting schools tn
" the children of the poor are not perm
|. ted the leisure to attend, and for tilll1
> libraries with books that they do n
. know how to read.
, I rejoice that the despotism OF pow
does not rest so heavily upon the m
= and women of the golden west as up
\ tina toilers of the eastern states. l.
/ in this Eden-land gives an interpret
/ ton to liberty that they have not
perienced and therefore cannot unde
stand; but in the great struggle I'd
engages them they have the rlght
expect help from you.
III And the time will come, and COZ
o,ioL1v when Won will need their he