New-York tribune., 1906-12-15
lGAINST INCOME TAX.
urrSON TO SOUTHERNERS
,.,ccfon's President and Others
Discuss States Rights.

Fu..,ss, rights were argued for by speakers at
o.u-onty-arst annual dinner of the New York
~s.horn Society at the Waldorf last night
s.,ssnt woodrow Wilson of Princeton said
=. .pa nation must be considered as a whole,
ute Of the varied powers of the states. He
came out strongly against the proposed in
- tax which he declared was not only con-
- ~ all rules Of taxation. but would be in
sis.ent since the country had laws which
roues Of the ilegitimate accumulation of
e.lth He said America was growing anx-
,,rsly thoughtful. but he believed not hope
IL tboughtfuI. and that no true patriot would
h.seve that there was not enough red blood in
=. nation 10 counteract any disease. He spoke
,this in connection with the movement which
No declared seemed TO be a mere discomfort with
nresent conditions.
President Wilson said:
Patriotism properly conceived, is no<s mere SEN
,ren;: il Is . principle OF action or, rather IS a
sne energy Of character, operating beyond the
narrow circle of self-interest; Every man should
hs careful 10 have available surplus of energy
over and above what be spends upon himself and
ss opn interests, TO spend for the advancement
of his neighbors Of his people OF his nation.
II requires constant effort of the imagination and
ions which diversity the life Of the country from
ocesn to ocean, ana an ever persistent catholcity
of sympathy and of Judgment 10 think of this
rolniry as every citizen should as a single whole
3 thing 10 be served not merely in its parts and
tended IL. but also in its entirety as the
federal government IS intended TO It, keeping
al interests harmonious, all powers cooperative
$50, s. n5S Hose Who ToaI,e tSa YI noSlig I h
reason Of the virtue OF those who obey them
nfellirent sense Of duty be based Genuine patri-
otism cannot he based upon a sense OF private
advantage or upon any calculation OF interest: IT
must conceive its object the country. the nation
America has fallen 10 The commonplace level of
eli the other nations which have preceded her. and
which accompany her In the race for prestige
faith that makes Of her public men idealists and
Of her typical citizens men TO whom principles
seem sustaining motive for action. II there Is any
circumstance that should deeply trouble us in the
signs OF our times it is that We have found. as a
tome ancient principle of right some sturdy desire
10 achieve what We have conceived but IN sheer
ETongs not in the spirit of those who would hope
fully right them but rather in the spirit OF those
would punish those who have beaten us.
have nade II il be an evidence of reverence that
Think by the easy process OF making more laws
hardly be firm and patient force by which We
seek 20 change them Indeed, the chief menace OF
present state OF mind IS that there is neither
patience prudence IN our thought and action
upon the matters w.-.ch eclte us. am not sure
thst We need new laws. suspect that what We
really need IS smaller regard for persons IN the
value without a watchful public opinion. and of
what shall public opinion he watchful If II know
rot what 70 watch for, IL there has been no slow
study OF como tions no patient SEEKING OF remedies
no careful observation Of the real errors and the
II 20 me strange thing 10 propose reye-
nue laws es E means Of checking and penalizing
wealth, the same time that retain laws
which lesd 10 its unnatural accumulation, The The
money for the expenses Of the government, though
revenue ought always TO be obtained from such
sources that taxation viii assist rather than check
part by The examples Of governments in such
matters that individuals have used the revenue
getting powers of corporations 10 penaltze rivals
s,5 - Sss-I-,ctsC3 TIE rirtf oriecfs Of law are
70 facilitate the life Of society and to keep the
souifv fair dealing ana equal advantage. Gov
erumeuts should supply an equilibrium. not dis
To keep such conceptions at the front in public
policy IS not easy IA striving and restless age:
he crowd" resist the adn1ission thatsthe gov
sgT h2d % 80 90 9 e @ & aehg io as Sa seneTSs ne1e
for such sober counsel as VIII relieve the govern
~ sqS n. q n6rs }aT ns OF 81 PGsoe and of mpaTa
regulation. mastery over what is evil, fosterage
Q. what IS good. but not management Of affairs
Patriotism Is a mere sentiment and IS blind alike
. rs opportunity and 10 its duty y i does not
seek 10 perceive and 70 act upon large principles.
General Horace Porter former Ambassador to
France. delivered a speech. which he closed
with a eulogy 70 the nation reunited after the
civil strife Of the war Of 1861. But he steered
clear OF any serious declaration on the question
OF states rights or Capitalization Of power with
The federal government
William A Barber, president Of the South
Carolina Society, took up the cudgels stoutly in
favor of states rights and in opposition TO the
doctrine OF more Capitalization, as outlined by
Secretary of State Root at the dinner OF the
Pennsylvania Society on Wednesday night.
Augustus Thomas, the playwright, said he did
not believe the states would object TO a reason
able surrender Of their rights 10 the federal gov
eminent but would want the duties Of the CO.
ordinate hrarches ~ the latter a little more
plainly outlined He r1diculed "simplihed SPELL
ing
Marion J. Verdery. president Of the society, in
opening the speaking paid a tribute TO the late
Samuel Spencer, president of The Southern Rail-
road, who was killed in a wreck on his own road.
He said Of him.
VOID you have an individual example altogether
fhsne'al and Industrial activities there is dark
6ere ,it, ~ IS deep unfathomsble mystery R;ght
taT. il went out in the sudden shock Of terrific
SororeS 'S, ~ ~ sjd IN ia ges , 9 ~ ~ go go f @
as ID us lies. strive 10 live like him.
William A. Barber. president Of the South
carolina Society, in opposing too much centraliz-
suon Of federal power, said in part:
y seems fashionable nowadays 10 discuss con
tutluonal questions around the dinner table: oiy
tnguished Secretary Of State. speaking in this
u%Shoqet hall, gave his hearers enough coiIsuIu-
Fs view always Interesting, but especially
~ ,t Eaeh ne speaks as me u.nune oi d - aDi''''
y Is pleasing 10 be reminded that since the Con-
ttitution was adopted our country has grown from
rom ocean 10 ocean and embraces some clS
T.lion population. It Is pleasing 10 be tod that at
tooern invention has so destroyed ll,ne ana diS S
ence '-at every section Of ms great country S y
N immediate contact sHd .-as intimate bhue anu