The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1907-08-17
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TINE CONSERVATISM OF OUR DAY.


Mr.. Rockefeller's recent remarks
touching the interdependence of the
great cooperation and the wage Garner
and the general consumer would
issue with more force from another
mouth than that of the creator and
chief beneficiary of the Standard Oil
Company. Possibly they might
have been more convincing even
from him if they had been uttered at
another time. As a sort of interlude
between Mr.. Commissioner Smiths
two reports what effect they may
have had has been distinctly ironic
and unintentional.
But these amiable generations of
Mr.. Rockefeller are interesting as
being an excellent example of the
anti-reform position. Very often
some captain of industry or financial
power makes this sort of protest
against all legislation, all investiga-
ton, all prosecution directed toward
the correction of evils in the higher
world of business. All these pro-
tests ignore the existence or implic-
lily assume the nonexistence of evils
and from that premise proceed to
point out the injustice and peril to
all concerned of restrictive legisla-
ton, of protective investigation, of
legal prosecution. These protests
are seldom definite and concrete
criticisms but are generalities whose
general effect is charge that
demagogues and alarmists and radi-
cal agitators are wantonly disturb
ing" business and importing pros
perity."
This crying of peace, peace, when
there is no peace" is and must be
futile. Happily the best type of
business man and the public at large
understand very clearly that these
protests beg the whole question,
and recognize that while there is
grave danger from unwise Iegisla-
ton and indiscriminate prosecution,
there is imperative reason for
thorough investigation and courage
Gus consideration, for just and expe-
dent legislation, for fearless and
effectual prosecution of lawbreaking
corporations and individuals.
Happily, too, men of leading in the
great activities of the business world
have had the candor and patriotism
to give their public adhesion to the
Legitimate work of reform. There
should be more of this candor and
patriotism, and less of the disingenu-
BUSINESS and willful irrelevancy which
characterizes the pronouncement of
Mr.. Rockefeller.
1t is true that we, in democratic
America, are interdependent- inter
dependent commercially, industrially,
politically, socially. That is great,
a splendid and inspiring truth. Is
it not shame that it should be de-
graded to be defense of evil-doing,
a cloak for those who have cyncially
and ruthleasly ignored it?
To those who see it steadily and
see it whole, the present period in
American history is a great conser-
vative period, an inspired and inspir-
ing period whose unrest is the spirit
of righteousness at work trump
nantly IN the national conscious
ness. 1t is not a period in which
greed, though it be buttressed by
billions, will prevail. 1t is not a
period when the hearts of Americans
need falter at the perils and prob
lens which it faces. It is period
full of faith and hope and not with
out charity; period which with it's
renewed ideals will work out the
highest, the. broadcast, most inclu.
sive wellbeing.
If follies and injustices have been
and are being committed, the Ameri-
can people and their representatives
will know how to correct them. We
are a kindly and justice-seeking
people and what is finally achieved
will be achieved with malice toward
none, with charity for all, with firm
ness in the rioht &C Cod 0ivoc TIC RI