The Washington herald., 1906-11-30
MeSSrS. West and Wilson
Offer Thanks.
TELL OF NATIONS WEALTH
District Official Declares Founders of
Government Had No Apprehension
Courage on Supreme Bench Needed
Now to Save Country from Danger.

1tOUstNtit IHdnkSSlNluS pIoCldlldl4uil
wherein it was pointed out that material
well-beiHg could be nothing more than the
foundation of true national greatness and
prosperity. Mr.. West emphasized the
problems which are arising cut of the un-
eqUaled prosperity of the country, and
said that the United States is now passing
through a period of adjustment to new
conditions. a period which. in his opinion,
IS as important as the early days Of the
republic.
In the discussion during the conven-
ton which preceded the adoption of the
Federal Constitution. said Mr.. West,
there is no indication that the fathers
of the republic had the slightest concep-
ton of the conditions which now con-
front US. The fundamental principles of
government were considered by them with
much detail. The jealousy which the
smaller States might manifest toward the
larger ones; the necessity for equalizing
in some legislative body the differences in
area and population; the adjustment Of
the delicate relations between the legisla-
tive. executive, and judicial branches
all these and more did the founders Of the
republic anticipate and attempt to regu-
late.
Had No Fear of Capital Then.
Nowhere however, do we find reference
to the aggregation of capital and its
menace. Great financial wealth was al
most unknown in those days. and even
the few who possessed large fortunes did
not combine. In the hundred or more
years which have elapsed since the adOp-
tion of the Constitution. our civilization
has become most complex, and in the
effort to control and regulate the vast
corporations which now monOpOlize many
avenues Of trade. the courts viii be com
PEELED to make liberal construction of
the Constitution in order that public in
terests may be fully protected
THE time is at hand when the Supreme
Court of the United States-the final ar
bitter Of public questiOns-will occupy
position as important as in the days of
Marshall. when the republic was evOlv-
ing out of its experimental stage. Il was
the broad and mastery Interpretation Of
the Constitution by John Marshall and
his colleagues which settled the United
States upon a firm foundation. Il viii
require equally wise and courageous
minds To guide US safely through the
maze Of litigation which now threatens.
Measures which are Of vital import 10
the American people are 20 be attacked
upon the ground that they are uncon-
stitutional. Very SagaciOus must be the
men who will not mar the wonderful
symmetry Of our immortal document and
yet will find II is a protecting aegis for
-t-n r.-,oIa r,aor1a 80
Other Problems of Prosperity.
Referring to other problems which
arise out Of great prosperity. COmmis-
sionef West said that while wealth and
wickedness are by no means necessarily
synonymous, it is, nevertheless. a historic
fact that with the increase Of wealth
come insidious vices which undermine
and sap the body polite As it is impossi-
bic to halt the progress Of prosperity.
and even though individuals seem small
factors IN the development Of the nation.
yet the fact remains that the salvation
OF the country can be secured only
through individual effort
'The nation will be honest, strong. and
he said, "Only as its in
dividual citizens display these desirable
1t is the consensus of
individual opinion which makes public
sentiment, and il we are 70 have that
sentiment on the side of right. then the
great mass of the individuals must be on
the same side"
He asserted that It is all the more i'm
portant to emphasize the value Of indi-
vidual effort because II the development
of our complex civilization circum-
for the individual citizen 20 look to some
power greater than himself for adequate
protection.
Individual Is Helpless Alone
The individual cannot, single-handed
anc alone" said Mr., West. protect him
self against the extortion Of an unscru-
puIous corporation. He cannot even be
certain that his food and drink are pure
Il IS this condition Of affairs he added.
which has led Congress to stretch to
the utmost the limits Of governmental
The necessity Of thus caring for the
individual is bringing the nation face to
face with the problems Of socialism and
paternalism. it being pointed out that too
much dependency upon the government
is an unhealthy condition
with more of individual effort" said
Mr.. West, with citizens doing more for
themselves and the government less pa
ternal, We would be laying the founda-
ton for a better citizenship in future
years.
Glad OF Good Being Done.
In conclusion. Commissioner West ex-
pressed qualification because so much
wealth is being employed to do good. and
then cited some of the great movements
IN progress for the betterment OF hu-
manity
Let Us be thankful" he said, that
even while the great prosperity Of the
country is fraught with problems which
time alone can solve; that while there is
4 spirit of discomfort and restlessness in
the air, due largely to the fact that this
is not shared by all, and that
while the vices that accompany luxury
may threaten our moral integrity-they
are manifested to a greater degree nova
days than ever before in our history
nevertheless, dynamic forces are at work
for the good of humankind"
In the widespread manifestations of
modern philanthTOpic work, the settle
ment and neighborhood houses, the juve-
nile courts the letting Of sunlight and air
into the dark and dismal alleys, the
speaker found the saving antidote against
the poison of prosperity.
Only when greed and seIfshness have
hardened all our hearts," said he, IN
need we fear for the future
OF our country"
Secretary Wilson's Speech.
Secretary Wilson said that within ten
days an agent of the Agricultural Depart
ment had sent word that he had found in
Siberia an alfalfa which zr,o,,ld s--o-,