Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-18


embodied in the laws and mark the step
PIN stones by which the republic has
risen 20 ever greater heights Of power and
prosperity.
Courage BrinEs Success.
AS we thus call up the past and the
echoes Of these old conflicts again sound
in our ears and touch the chords Of mem-
DRY, one great fact stands forth, clear and
shining. The republican party has never
failed, except when 1t has faltered. Our
long career Of victory, so rarely broken.
question as 1t arose. to our facing every
danger. as It crossed our path, with entire
courage fearless oIfn Sc Of Of consequences nd af6 nc and de.
which brought the party into existence and
70 the spirit which has inspired II from
its birth. We faced secession rather than
assent to the extension OF slavery. Rather
than submit to secession, we took up the
dread burden OF civil war. But a few
publicans to leave us, thereby imperiling
our political power rather than abandon
the gold standard and plunge the country
Into disaster and dishonor.
In these latest years as In the most re-
mote. we have been true to our traditions.
reached where the country was confronted
by a situation more perilous than any II
has ever faced except in the civil war and
deal with problems OF the most complex
and difficult character.
SHRINK ITO Sur ,r S9noF Inc be task u sai Much we has have be SSs
done-mueh, no doubt, still remains to do
but the great underlying principles have
build. as necessity arises. carefully and de-
liberately.
have spoken OF the seriousness of the
situation with which the country was con-
estimated. 1t grew out Of conditions and
was the result OF forces beyond the control
Of men. Science and invention, the two
great factors in this situation, have not
only altered radically, human environment
application, they have revolutionlzed econ
omic conditions. These changed economic
ss oSShit,i have In turn effected Tte pro,
led, among other things. TO combinations of
eahital and labor on a scale and with a
opened the way to accumulations of wealth
in masses beyond the dreams of a~varice,
and never before contemplated by men.
Problem Essentially New.
The social and political problems thus
TO. suppose that because the dement's are
old the problem itself must, therefore
have gone before. The elements may bC
old but the problem presented by a change
10 the proportion OF the elements may be
and. In this case H., Entirely new.
Great Individual fortunes and rich mer
are. II Is true, as old as recorded history
yearly 1900 year age the ts. farmers o
fit and protection; the English people, three
centuries ago, revolted against the patents
ana mOnopOneS granted by EilZaDetn ant
James to their coCftiers and monopolists
forestallers and spectators In the neces
stiles OF life were a curse In our revolution
and bitterly denounced by Washington
Yet. Il Is none the less true that the sam
things today present questions different Il
kind as well as in degree from their pre-
decessors.
II IL the hugs size of private fortunes
the vast extent and power OF modern com
binations OF capital, made possible by pres
ent conditions. which have brought upo
US, In these later years, problems porten
tous in their possibilities. and threatening
not only our social and political welfare
but even our personal freedom, II they ar
not boldly met and wisely solved.
The greater body OF the American peopl'
RATHER very rich nor veFyypoor, the nones
the thrifty, the hardworking, the men an
women who earn and save, have no has
envy-no fanatic hatred of wealth, whethe
Individual or corporate, II II has been nor
estly gained and Is wisely and generousl
employed with q sense OF responsibility
the public. But this great body of OF
people. by habit and instinct alike. wisel
conservative, these people, who are I'll
bone and sinew OF Dur country and upo
whom its fortunes and its safety rest, b.
gan TO observe, with deep alarm, the recel
manifestations of the new economic cond
lions. More and more they came TO belie'
that these vast fortunes and these hul
combinations OF capital were formed al
built up by tortuous and dishonest meal
and through a cynical disregard OF Il
very laws which the mass Of the Peep
were compelled to obey. They began
fear that political power, was being re
, from their bands ara put into the posse
sion OF the money holders, that their dea
est rights were IN ans that their hop
OF success and advancement were cut G