The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-06-09
Men cannot live isolated; wo are
all bound together, for mutual GOOD
or else for mutual misery, as living
nerves In the same body.
Carlyle.
Republican Palliatives for Re-
publican Evils.

a soberer second thought is beginning
10 show the public to what length Presl-
dent Roosevelt, if permitted would glee-
fully carry his programme of undiluted
paternalism. The strangest part OF all
Is that Mr.. Roosevelt. who first achieved
fame as tho militant apostle of strenuous
.ndividuality-now that he Is President
has become the very incarnation of bu-
reaucracy. Interesting as the problem,
may be psycholog!cally IT is far more
important politically--for in practice
President Roosevelts theories tor human
bettermert would literally Prussinnze the
United States. For those who believe
in otticialdom instead of freedom, and
who prefer governmental regula ton to
individual Initiative, this change may at
least be desirable; but there are many
who are following President Roosevelt's
subversive and revolutionary recommen-
dutions under the belief that the Consti-
tuition Is still left in force and the basis
OF our citizenship remains un!mpared.
Rough and ready justice. which cures
life insurance frauds, prevents railroad
graft. deodorizes and disinfects the pack
ing houses, should By the same reasoning
not stop short of cleaning up sweatshops,
supervising child labor In cotton mills
and coal mines, destroying the padrone
system and Immediately Transforming this
struggling violent and restless world
= into a peaceful. Just and perfect para
disc. such apocalyptic visions of social
perfection in world by no means free
from human weakness have come to other
political drenmers beside Mr.. Roosevelt.
The libraries are filed with prescriptions
in government that are guaranteed 10 be
panaceas for all political ills-and yet
from the days of Moses and Plato TO
those OF Roosevelt and Hearst mankind
hes prospered by individual effort and
not by governmental regulation.
For half century tie Republican party
& has taught and pract!ced the doctrine
that men could be made rich and happy
and prosperous ana brave by tariffs
drawn to favor special interests. To-day
we are rcaping a slckening crop OF reve-
lations that Is directly trncenble TO that
principle. President Roosevelt is honest
and he is brave, but, unfortunately for
himself, his teeth are set on edge BY the
sour grapes cat&n by .his political fore
fathers.
The need for reform Is great; but we
should reform by going back to first
principles instead OF wandering into the
wilderness of paternalsm whittier Mr..
Roosevelt is leading all who will follow
him.
Tie time has come to stop, and lis
ten 10 the wise and forcible warning OF
Representative Hay, who said in ycster-
days Times Dispatch:
II don't know where we arc going to
stop in this government inspection bust
ness. Wo are increasing inspectors at an
enormous rate l am confidently expect
Ing Legislation proposed looking to the In
spection OF shoes and SOCKS every time
man crosses State line
''As a matter OF fact. state lines viii
be wiped out If we continue In the way
we are going. The activity Of the Fed
Z eral government was never SO great as
al present, We are asking the general
government 10 do everything. The power
OF the States In all matters seems to be
g. enilfely overlooked ny many people.
That tho people Of the North should DC
petItioning tho general government 10
regulate everything is not surprising, for
The rights OF the States have never been
30 closely adhered TO and contended for
IN TINT section as in the South"
This Is not opposition criticism. II Is
/ sound wisdom. Tho only safe path be-
tween Roosevelt paternalisIn and Hearst
socialism is to ilola and follow the demo-
cralic principles that the government c1-
lists 10 Interfere US little as possible with
3 the individual. The whole theory OF the
3 Republican party, in lis favored interests,
+ corrupt pensions and irnperia!is,lc tenden-
cies, is exactly The reverse. and to that
theory in practice tho present conditions
are due President Roosevelt may pal
liate--but he ran meyer cure tile existing
evils so long az the Republican ring
remains In control OF our government.
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Legislation as is Legislation.