The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-10-09
Mr.. Fish's
Moral Issue.

Moral Issue.
Mr.. Stuyvesant Fish, late president
of the Illinois Central RailrdNd, Is re-
ported to have said some very good
things in a speech recently made at
banquet at Orange. ~. J. Mr.. Fish
said:
The contest is no longer between
those who have and those who have
not, but between those on the one
hand who have moderately, sufficient
" and even abundantly, and on the
other those who, through the use OF
trust funds and the power incident
thereto, seek by questionable prac-
tees TO have excessively. This is the
ISSUE which is daily brought into every
home in America. Like taxation with
out representation, il involves moral
and ethical questions, and also strikes
at the pocketbook, which has been
called the sure road to- the Anglo
Saxon's heart. 1t will not down.
Great and repeated efforts have been
made to quiet and hush the clamor
which is rising on this subject. Such
efforts may succeed for a time. but
MOI in the end. 1t is not for me to
say, in the words of Patrick Henry,
Gentlemen may cry peace. peace, but
there is no peace, nor yet, Shall we
lie supinefy on our backs until the
enemy shall have bound US hand and
foot? No. a thousand times no.
cannot and will not stir your minds
up TO Il sense of wrong. Such is not
my purpose, nor is this the forum for
an appeal against unjust wealth. You
and | have too large a stake in 1t to
risk adding to the danger into which
1t has been brought by the malfeas-
snce of some of our agents. What l
do want is 10 bring to Your attention
the TACT that no apparently effective
thing has been done to right the
wrongs which are known to exist. and
that II rests with US, the great middle
class, 10 meet this issue as our faith
ers met those which confronted them
soberly, adyisedly and in fear of God.
Let us do and say nothing rash, but.
relying upon past experience. move
Forward as people who know their
rights. and knowing dare maintain -
Mr.. Fish declared that a moral is
sue is involved. and he waved elo-
nuent and quoted from Patrick Henry.
IT is n noble speech. Mr.. Fish is one
Df the rich men of the country-at
least, he would have been considered
rich few years ago. although he may
not be rich when his wealth is meas,
ured against the wealth of some OF
Dur magnates. He has recently had
some experience with the manipuIa-
tors of the railroads and he was
worsted in the contest. His defeat
seems to have opened his eyes as TO.
what is going on in this country, and
he sounds a note of warning. The
Tact that he makes this protest is one
Of the signs of the times. There is
40 antagonism in this country TO
honest wealth, no matter how much
a man makes. if he markes it.honestly
and gives to society an equivalent SER
vice. He will be protected in the en-
Ioyment of his wealth. There is
Iense of justice among the American
people to which the successful man
can appeal if his success is merited.
but it is time that a distinction was
made betwene money honestly accu-
nulated and money which has been
stolen. II is time that the honest men
who have made fortunes in legitimate
business separate themselves from
The predatory classes and join with the
masses in putting an end To exploita-
ton. A few years ago many of the
small business men felt that they
must take the side OF the big finan-
riers. They are learning that the big
financiers are class by themselves.
and that their schemes Contemplate
The enrichment of the few at the ex-
Pense of the many.
Mr.. Fish probably regards his expul-
sion from the Illinois Central director
ate as a misfortune. but If that mis-
fortune makes him an apostle of re-
form. the public may well rejoice over
the misfortune. Mr. Fish has been
on the inside, and he knows some
thing of the methods of these men
Who have been synjicating 81 nations
prosperity and monopolizing the op-
portunities OF the country May mis-
conscience prompt him to spe ak, and
ia speak often. if he has m pre- mes
sages like the one recently delivered
The Republicans are now Thoroughly
frightened, and il other evid ences OF