Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1907-06-13

fundamentals I have found American
citizens to be just about the same
everywhere In whatever locality Of
the country We live, whatever our
fortune or occupation in life, there
exist just about the same essential
good qualities and much the same
shortcomings in any gathering Of our
citizens. Of course, each community
has its especial temptations, it's espe-
Cial shortcomings; and if it is wise
each community will try to cure it.
self rather than to CA Sc heartburn
ings by railing at the shortcomings Of
a sister community. There is ample
field for the reform energies of every
one Of US in his or her particular
sphere Of home and neighborhocd
activity"
Thus declared President Roosevelt
in an address at the jamestown ex-
position yesterday when he spoke
for better understanding between
the north and the south, between
east and west and between varying
conditions as they develop in the social
and economic order
Not only is all Of this true as be-
tween one community and another"
said Mr. Roosevelt, but it is just as
true between one class of our citizens
and another. Now and then We meet
well-meaning people who have
genuine horror and dread Of all rich
men and think of them as being set
apart by peculiar vice and iniquity
Now and then We meet equally well
meaning rich men who have an equal
~ irrational dread Of those whom
they style labor leaders. In each case
I think the hostility is in large part
due to want of sympathy caused by
complete ignorance of the men who
arouse such distrust or anger AS a
matter OF fact if we take a given num-
Der of wage-workers, we find that in
their essential human nature they
are all alike. In each group We find
men as wise and as foolish. as good
and as bad as in the other group
Such being the case it is certainly well
that, so far as possible, when the men
OF a given group, as a whole, act in
a way that we deem contrary ID the
public interest we should treat the
action as wrong to be remedied
rather than as a wrong to be avenged.
We ought not to tolerate wrong 1t is
a sign of weakness to do 50, and in
It's ultimate effects weakness is often
quite as bad as Wickedness. But in
putting a stop to the wrong we should
50 far as possible avoid getting into
an attitude Of yindictive hatred to.
ward the wrongdoer."
The president declared that there
is increasing need that the welfare
of the children should be effectively
safeguarded by governmental action;
with the prOvisO. however, that this
action shall be taken with knowledge
and in a spirit Of robust common
sense for philanthropy, whether gov
ernmental or lndiYi ual is a curse and
not blessing when marked by a spirit
of foolish sentimentality and ignOr
ance. Such governmental action is
merely one inevitable result Of the
pick industrialism. Decade by decade
it becomes more and more necessary
that, without sacrificing their indi-
yidCal independence, the people of this
country shall recognize in more effect
i've form their mutua. interIependence
and the duty of safeguarding the inter
est of each in the ultimate interest Of
all We have inherited and developed
4 Superbly seIf-reliant indivr alism in
this country. Il most earnestly hope
he said that it Will not be lost. that
it will never be exchanged for a dead
enrng socialism"
The president declared that the ma
tional government should be a model
employer. 1t should demand the high,
est quality of service from its en-
pIoyes and should care for them
properly in return. He said that
congress should adopt legislation
providing limited but definite com
pensation for accidents to all work
men within the scope of the federal
power, including employees in navy
yards and arsenaIs. Similar Iegisla- |
tion should follow throughout the
states The old and inadequate !
remedy of suit for negligence would !
then gradually disappear
Such a policy" said Mr.. Roosevelt. |
would mean that with increased re-
sponsibility of the employer would
come increased care. and accidents
would be reduced in number The tenn
porary burden involved will not ham
per our industries. Long experience
of compensation laws in other coun-
tries has demonstrated their benefit.
What we advocate is only a simple
measure of jrstice only one step to-
ward the goal Of securing. so far as
human wisdom can secure. fair and
equitable treatment for each and
everyone Of our people"
Mr.. Roosevelt spoke strenuorsIv for
the navy. He said that our surest
guaranty for peace and if war should
ever come it will be the greatest safe
guard for our honor and our interest
AS is likewise true of our army. it is
manned by a volunteer force; for it
must never be forgotten that all our
soldiers and sailors. whether regular
or not, are volunteers. Every en-
enlargement should be given to our