New-York tribune., 1908-02-23

seized. of moral Influences so widespread and ef-
fective. is to despair of humanity itself Here.
progress is the child of aspiration wedoeu 10
common sense. Let US dismiss vague alarms
and GO forward with calm confidence in the IN
tegrity and destiny of the American people.
We have only begun to develop the commerce
of this country The realization of its pos
sibiiities awaits improvements which we must
undertake in systematic manner. Washing
ton with his usual farsightedness was deeply in
terested in the development of facilities of COM
rnunication for the purpose of promoting COM
mercial intercourse and creating community OF
interest. Repeatedly he outlined schemes OF IN
ternal improvements and connection of water
WAYS and the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal had Its
origin in these projects which were never absent
from his thought. My own state has ever ap-
preciated the Importance of work of this de-
scription to which the Erie Canal bears witness.
And il is now engaged in a stupendous under
taking Of canal improvement, the intelligent and
efficient prosecution of which is of serious con-
sequence to commercial interests But while
here and there much has been done, there has
been wanting realization of the need of a COM
prehensive plan for the improvement of inland
waterways from the standpoint of national in
ferest President Roosevelt, with his keen de-
sire to advance the national interests, and his
usual force has emphasized this and we may
be said to be entering upon of COM
mercial Development We take just pride In our
present enterprise and achievements. but we
may believe that the commerce of the future
will far exceed that OF the present as the
va ried production, the vast extent of CONNER
cial exchanges and the means of communication
of to-day transcend the hopes and even the
dreams of Washington.
This is no time for encouragement or halting,
but for appreciation of American opportunity
and for that intelligent and united effort by
which alone can avail of it and deserve the
blessings OF poStFrlty-
SETTLED GOVERNMENTAL POLICY.
To support this confidence and to gain these
ends must have a settled governmental pol
icy. And it must be right policy.
1t must be policy consistent with the genius
of our institutions. The people of this country
do not desire socialism even as an experiment.
They do not propose TO pass through a dreadful
quarter of an hour of revolutionary changes
TO satisfy themselves of those imperfections Of
human nature of which they already we'll
appriSe0, and which make impossible the per-
manent constitution of society in accordance
with socialistic theory. We must make progress
and ii must be steady and consistent, conserv-
ing what is good and safeguarding the oppor
tunities for honest effort. otherwise gains Will
be offset by unnecessary losses and expert
countantS may search in vain for a credit bal
ance. We may accomplish needed reforms by
making institutions work they were in
tended to work and by effecting, in the light of
the benefits thus secured, such changes
perience may commend and deliberate judg
ment may approve.
II must be a policy consistent with our con-
stitutional limitations and distribution OF
powers. These are the words of Washington in
his farewell address: This government, the
offspring of choice uninfiuenced and
unawed, adopted upon full investigation and
mature deliOeration. completely free in its prn
cpes in the distribution of its powers. uniting
security with energy and containing within
itself a provision for its own amendment. has
Just claim to your confidence and your sup
port. Respect for its authority, compliance with
its laws, acquieScence in its measures are duties
enjoined by the fundamental maXns of true
liberty. The basis of our political systems is
the right of the people TO make and to alter
their constitutions of government. But the
Constitution. which al any time exists till
changed by an explicit and authentic act of the
whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all"
There are. of course. borderlands where the line
OF demarcation between federal and state au-
thority has not been clearly defined by judicial
decision. The content of grants of power has
been better appreciated as the course OF expert
ence has revealed the Importance of the grants
and their application to national eXigenCies.
Differences of opinion undoubtedly exist. as they
will continue to exiSt-infiuenced by differences
Of viewpoint and of political and economic the
oTy--with regard to the extent of federal powers
under the great clauses of the Constitution.
These differences must be resolved, and for that
purpose we have final arbiter in the Supreme
Court. Let such matters be frankly debated
with q clear understanding on the part Of the
people the manner in which they must be
decided. We secure our peace and confidence
by loyal acceptance of the decisions of our UNI
pires. Wherever constitutional provision is clear
in fits application or has been construed author
itatively we must avoid confusion by recOgniz-
ing the fact and direct our plans accordingly,
unless and until change be effected in the
manner which the Constitution provides. We
should not expect from the nation what the
remedy is denied for want of federal power