New-York tribune., 1905-02-01
TIE PHILADELPHIA SPEECH.


The distinguishing characteristic of the Pres-
dents speech to the Union League OF fhlladel-
phia is It's reasonableness. The question which
he dealt with is vexed and complicated, his own
views upon 1t have been somewhat sharply an
ia gonized in certain quarters and the discussion
has evoked Incorporate utterances on poth
sides. But the President did not show trace
of excitement or impatience There is not
word in the speech at which the most sensitive
champion of corporate rights can take offence
All patriotic citizens do not agree that closer
federal supervision of interstate commerce is
necessary or advantageous. but no man who is
honestly anxious to the general welfare
of the country prevail over the selfish inter-
ests of individuals can fail to acknowledge the
moral elevation and dispassionate temper OF the
Philadelphia address. Not even those who urge
that existing abuses are exaggerated and that
they are more likely to be aggravated than
cured by the application of artificial rem
edy will deny either the sincerity of the Presi-
dents convictions or the strength of his posi-
tion.
Our belief is that great majority Of substan-
tial intelligent and rightminded citizens not
only admire the spirit Of the Presidents reso
lutte, straightforward declarations on the sub
1ect OF railroad determinations and federal con-
troll but heartily approve of his conclusions At
the beginning of the present discussion ex-
would prefer TO accept the risk Of harm result
ing from bestowal of larger powers on the
! Interstate Commerce Commission, or some other
depository of federal authority, rather than to
have nothing done for the relief Of conditions
which they consider oppressive. Since then we
have seen no reason to change that opinion,
which, on the contrary, has been confirmed. 1t
is not yet clear that Congress. If 1t so under
stands public sentiment, is prepared to respond
fo pt no wit
day or two the prospect of favorable action, at
least by the House, on a measure embodying
the recommendations of the Presidents Mes
sage has materially improved.
That such a measure would disappoint the
hopes of the radical minority seems to us far.
more probable than that 1t would work injus
tice and impair legitimate values. The Presi-
dents programme is not rash and destructive
but conservative In the highest sense. He said
at Philadelphia:
In entering field where the progress must
OF necessity be so largely experimental 1t is es-
sential that the effort to make progress should
be tentative and cautious. We must grow by
. evolution, not by revolution. There must be no
hurry, but there must also be no halt; and those
who are anxious that there should be no sudden
and violent changes must remember that pre-
cisely these sudden and violent changes Will DC
rendered likely If we refuse TO make the needed
changes in a cautious and moderate manner.
The spirit of adventure which seeks change
| lOr lne sake OF cnanSe nnds no cOunte0ance III
that para graph. and those who are disposed to
shrink from the implication contained In the
| last sentence should reflect that the President
is appealing not to their fears but to their sense
Of justice and their moral courage. Nor does
| be think that men Of broad, sagacious and pa
triotic views should feel that in approving such
| a measure Of restraint as he proposes they
would be merely consenting to sacrifice ex-
acted from their public spirit. He says truly,
persuasively-and adroity:
| It is in the interest OF the conscientious and
public spirited railway that there should
! be such governmental supervision of the rail-
way traffic of the country as to require from his
/ less scrupulous competitors. and from unscrupu-
! lous shippers well, that heed to the public
welfare which be himself would willingly give,
and which is of vital consequence to the small
shipper.
| There is no doubt wha atsoever that the Pres-
dent Is continuously exemplifying the spirit in
which this nation likes 10 be served We be-
lieve it is not less certain that the policies by
which he seeks to serve it command public ap-
probation and that those who have It in their
power to forward or hinder his endeavors will
be wise If they give due heed to the temper of
| the American people.