Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-04
The Message.

The message sent to Congress today is
in many respects the most interesting
and important paper of that character the
President has yet prepared. Its topics are
very much alive. and their treatment shows
a breadth and elevation of view which
could not be overpraised. Behind every
word is the spirit of purpose and convic-
ton. and guiding that is an intelligence
which undoubtedly has sought the truth.
Whether treating of Cuba, the Jar cnese
question. the Rio conference, Porto Rico,
the Philippine tariff. capital am Ia
Dor further legislation in restraint OF
trusts. the army and navy. or what not.
the President states his case with clear
ness, and offers something altogether
worthy of the most respectful considera-
ton of Congress. The style is smooth
throughout, and testifies to unusual care.
AS a writer. no less than man of ideas,
the President appears to advantage. and,
as the popular phrase is. has scored
There are three topics which stand out
from their fellows. well because of their
weight In the scale of our affairs as be-
cause of the force and directness of the
Presidents recommendations.
% 1t was known that the President IA
vored an inheritance tax, and 1t was be-
nGNeQ ne WOulu ADVISE III ldNOT VI all III
come tax. He advises in favor of both. He
thinks the time ripe for thus enlarging the
scope of our scheme of taxation. and in
GLIDING in 1t levies upon the swollen for
tunes which our phenomenal prosperity has
favored. AS matters stand wealth does not
bear an adequate portion of the national
burden. and this has done it's part in
fomenting the discomfort observable in the
cnuptry In the matter an income tax
the decision of the Supreme Court suggests
the necessity of a constitutional amend
ment but in any event the President fayors
the tax And here is something for both
the financiers and the constitutional law
yers to take in hand.
90 Upon the subject of lynching the
President speaks well and worthily. The
appeal is to both black and white, as 1t
should be- Crime begets crime. The
lyncher lowers himself TO the plane of his
victim The black man should assist in
ferreting out the criminals of his race.
and the white man, in whose hands are
the forces of government should guaran-
tee n just execution of the laws OF the
land Responsibility is upon both. but
heaviest of course upon the superior race,
which. rightfully insisting upon power,
should exercise 1t with scrupulous fairness
toward all men. The tribute to the work
done at Tuskegee is thoroughly we'll de-
served, while the animadversion upon the
reckless and brutal demagogues melting
by speech or act the hatred of the low
and the thoughtless against all negroes
goes so straight that the public will ex-
perience no difficulty in following it home.
CD The Japanese question is pitched in
the key of practical craftsmanship and
broad enlightenment. We are at peace
and on treaty terms with a power whose
place in the foremost rank Of nations is
beyond dispute. Japan has conquered in
the sign Of both progress and character.
The American people as a whole not only
respect but admire the japanese. They
were the first to seek them cut, and open
their windows to the flood of western light
since so gladly admitted We cannot close
gates to such a people. and when we
admit them must accord them just
treatment. Why. the President asks,
close our public schools to them while well
coming them to our college and university
life, and testifying to their worthy walk
In those higher paths of instruction? And
why permit two three localities. acting
through prejudice. to embroil the whole
country with a power now friendly. but
against which they themselves would be
helpless in time of danger?
The message is so full of meat that, in
effect it will serve more appeal to
the country for a capitalization of senti-
ment than to Congress for a response at
this session in the nature of legislation
But sooner or later, legislation a de-
NAL of it, making for new issues and new
national purposes, must come.