The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-05-31
FORAKER FAVORs
FULL FREEDOM
OF DISCUSSION

Steubenville. o., May 31.-speaking at
the memorial exercises here. Senator
Foraker defended himself from the at
tacks made upon him by the friends OF
the Roosevelt administration and was
applauded frequently and loudly by the
5000 people who listened To his address.
The exercises were held at the Soldiers
and Sailors monument IN the Union cem-
etery. and tho meeting was one OF the
most notable gatherings OF the kind In
the large number which have been held
there
Are we TO confuse policies and meth
DDS" he asked. ''and failing to dis
tinguish between them. forget that one
may be favored and the other condemned
without any inconsistency or lack of
fidelity to the principles involved? Mere
difference OF. opinion is not unfortunate.
Rather the reverse is true. Divergent
views arouse discussion. and discussion In
sures intelligent conclusions
I'm fact, the surest legislation Is found
In that freedom of debate In which inde-
pendent and conscientious legislators en-
sage. II should not be condemned. but be
encouraged. Not infrequently those who
are proposed do greater service in point
ing out objections that should be removed
and weak points that should be strength
ened than the advocates Of such meas
ures..''
After enumerating the various external
problems that confront the nation. Mr..
Foraker asked:
How gre these questions 10 be de-
termined? Is some one individual or
authority TO assume what is right and
pronounce final Judgment by simply tell
ing US what to do? Or are the different
views to be heard and their relative
merits ascertained by discussion and
argument?
''But foreign questions are not ALI
Domestic questions OF the greatest i'm
portance and most difficult solution are
also constantly arising. Who is to set
tie them? II not the whole people. why
not? Has our form Of government been
changed; and, IL so, when. how and by
whom?
There IL a practical unanimity OF
sentiment in favor OF the general policy
Of efficiently regulating trusts. railroads
and large orporations-especially those
engaged in Interstate commerce. but
there are mony honest differences TO
details. Are they to be impatiently
brushed aside as not in harmony with
somebody's policy. or are they TO be
carefully considered?
lis IL out OF order 10 hear each other
before we decide such mstters7 Are
we TO confuse policies and methods, and
falling To distinguish between them for
get that the one may be- favored and
the other condemned without any in
consistency 6r lack OF fidelity 10 the
principle involved.
THAT we must act carefully and wisely
and patriotically in dealing with public
affairs all will agree; and yet II is be-
coming an everyday occurrence TO hear
and read expressions of impattence not
only because somebody insists upon time
for consideration and debate. but also be-
cause OF constitutional restraints that In
terfere with freedom OF action, coupled
not infreduenty with suggestions that no
great harm would be done IL in this. or
that. or the other particular case. they
should be disregarded
''rhose who fought TO save the Consti-
tuition may be pardoned for entering
protest against this tendency. The Ameri-
can people do not need 10 be rushed We
should be particularly careful to observe
the distribution Of the great powers OF
government made by our fundamental law
into the legislative, executive and judicial
departments"