The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-06-03

The lr''or from n friend In Vermont
prlnted In another column shows many
mlaapprehcnaions ~ tho principles and
the course n TnE SuN m ono matters
~ high moment But n Ia IN honest
lettet, n Wild bat generous indignation
inspired IL; and without regard IN its
somewhat undiplomatio compliments, u
shall h. answered frankly
Evidently this gentleman has derived
moro heat than light from THE Sun.
He forRuts that IL has denounced So
verely tho abuses revealed In the man
agcmcnt of insurance companies, and
no journal hns been moro insistent in
its warfare against rebates and unfair
determinations, the essential evil in
railroad administration and n source OF
dishonest prosperity 20 many corpora
tons. No instance OF favoritism or
craft has found a defender here; and
we have heartily sympathized with what
we have called "the great moral awak-
ening' Of the American people in the
last year or two. Apparently our corre-
spondent does not know or admit that
there has been such an awakening. for
he speaks Of "the benumbed moral sense
and apathy Of the country We feel,
on the contrary, that the moral sense Of
the country was never more sensitive;
and il it were not, moral regeneration
must still be communicated by the peo-
pie to the Government and cannot flow
from the Government to the people.
Believing that corporations are an
indispensable form Of modern business,
we cannot share in any undiscriminating
and passionate attack upon them.
They have their rights. They must be
made to do right.
The growing disposition to look to the
Federal Government for protection and
supervision seems to us to be founded
on a mistaken notion Of the proper pur-
pose Of that Government and to tend to
weaken the dependence upon local and
State and individual initiative.
AS to the philanthropists Of the pack
ing business and some of their business
methods, we are about as much en-
amoured Of them as Of the saints Of oil.
But here is a great industry, employing
many thousands of persons, innocent
persons who will be injured by any
injury to 1t; innocent persons who have
already been injured by the loss or
decrease Of the export meat trade, which
Is already subject to Government in
sp~ection, but suffers from the attacks
upon the packers, attacks whose main
source seems to be a megalomaniao
novelist barking for his book.
If these packers have been guilty Of
offences against the public health, they
should be severely punished. Surely the
courts in the States in whose jurisdiction
they are may be trusted to do that, But
they are not to DO condemned without
hearing and trial. Even the Neill-Rey-
nolds report, which, or a part Of which,
may be published this week, it is said. will
be but an en- pdrte statement. To them,
as to everybody else, let justice be done.
They are not to be hanged, drawn and
quartered on the strength of mere aocu-
satidns and rhetoric.
As to Mr.. BEvERIDdE's meat inspeo-
ton bill, it is palpably impossible and
unconstitutional In some parts. It will
have to be licked into shape In the House
OF Representatives.
b THE SUN believes In the Constitution
and equal justice, in the common sense
and honesty of the people.