Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-09-12
HARMON ON RIGHT OF STATE
Former Attorney General Talks at
Jamestown Exposition.
WOULD NOT LIMIT FORTUNES
Likes idea that state May
Take Cnre of Itself on All
Great Questions of the
Day.

NORFOLK, Va, Sept. 11.-Judson Har-
mon, former attorney geenral of the United
States. speaking at the Ohio day celebra-
tion today said, in part
The people of Ohio cherish still as they
always have done, the rights OF SOW
ereignty. freedom and Independence, as
well as the membership in the union, thus
secured to them. They might have gained
these otherwise, but are none the less crate
ful for the precaution taken by Virginia,
which assured them. And they have Justi-
fled her by the use they have made oil
these rights.
set out to govern themselves to look to
some One else, no matter who, to help gov
ern them is a confession of unhtness,
they are proud of the governor VINO when
pleaded with to call for federal troops said
Ono could take care of herself, as she
did.
lncy know that authority once sur
rendered or qualified is never regained, no
matter how bitter the regret. They nave
learned that enCroaChing power is some
times well meant and always streWs ~
path with attractive present benehts. Ahu
they have that sovereign virtue OF lrGt
people-patience to endure for time, u
need be- while they work out through tneiI
own agencies the difficulties which chang
ing circumstances are ever presenting.
And the people OF Ohio have no excuse
for lapsing from the virtue OF sell re-
lance. They have shown that they know
how to deal with trusts and combinauomns on
organized and conducted in dehance OF tie
laws of trade and the rules OF talr deal
ing They are sure they, better than
others, can control without GRIPPING tne
corporations they create and fix the con
ditons on which those created by othei
sovereignties may do business within thell
borders And they are not wilthhg thr 10 nower wee
or to nave il qualified save by the CON
dition to which they have given irrevocable
consent, that they must act justly VIII
respect to rights lawfully acquired.
II is a matter of no personal interest 70
me because my aim In life has never been pee |
to amass wealth, but am not taken VIII VIZ
the idea of seeking to limit by law the
acquisition of fortunes. The smalles'
fortune is too great IL II be dishonesty
cr unfairly gained. With laws SO franco
the people, which operate to give some
advantages over others. and with laws
methods and corrupt practices, no fortunes
will be swollen" which implies unnatural
and perverted growth.
Nor with our well-tested systems OF In
hertance and restriction OF entailments
will fortunes long remain in unworthy
hands, while fair gotten wealth has neither
temptation nor occasion to seek Illicit ia
vors from officials who make and enforce
the laws And In our free country every
man who thinks happiness lies in wealth
has the right to get as rich as he honestly
can. All we should demand is that he
shall not increase his gains by withhold
ing from the laborer his just reward OF
adding hardships to his lot nor by de.
priving others of their gains by unfair
competition. And he must bear his due
snare OF the expenses of the governments
which protect him in pursuit and pos.
session. pN'
But If for the first time in the histor,
or the race somebody is TO draw a line
Ground thrift and enterprise l am sure
pnlo VIII insist on trying the experiment
Tor itself: For all economic measures ar,
necessarily experiments, especially those
whieh deal with new conditions And wher
the atmosphere is charged with discontent
ana resentment no matter how just the
eye Is not always sure nor the hanf
always steady, so that results not intendaS
or desired may follow. Hue'