Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-01-22


too easy for others. The rewards Of
common industry and thrift may be
too small If the rewards for other,
and on the whole less valuable, quail
ities, are made too large, and espec-
tally II the rewards for qualities
which are really, from the public
standpoint, undesirable, are permit
ted to become to large. Our aim Is
so far as possible to provide such con-
ditions that there shall be equality Of
opportunity where there is equality
OF energy. fidelity, and intelligence:
when there is a reasonable equality
Of opportunity the distribution of re-
wards will take care Of itself.
Our public land policy has for its
aim the use of the public land so that
it will promote local development by
the settlement of home makers; the
policy we champion is to serve all
the people ligitimately and openly,
instead of permitting lands to be con-
erted, illegitimately and under cover,
to the benefit of few. Our forest
policy was established SO that we
might use the forests for the prema-
nent public good. instead Of merely
for temporary private gain. The re-
elamation act. under which the des-
ert parts of the public domain are
converted to higher uses for the gen.
eral benefit, was passed so that more
Americans might have homes on the
land.
These policies were enacad into
law and have justified their enact
ment. Others have failed, so far, to-
reach the point of action. Among
such is the attempt to secure public
control Of the open range and thus
to convert its benefits to the use of
the small man. who is the home-mak-
er, instead of allowing it to be con-
trolled by a few great cattle and
sheep owners.
The enactment OF a pure food law
was a recognition OF the fact that the
public welfare outweighs the right to
private gain, and that no man may
poison the people for his private prof
it. The employers liability law re-
cognized the controlling fact that
while the employer usually has at
stake no more than his profit. the
stake of the employee is a living for
himself and family.
We are building the Panama can
all and this means that we are en-
gagged in the giant engineering feat
of all time We are striving to add
in all ways to the Availability and
beauty of our country. We are striv-
ing to hold in the public hands the
remaining supply of appropriated
coal, for the protection and benefit
of all the people.
We have taken the first steps to-
ward the conservation OF our natural
resources, and the betterment Of
country life, and the improvement
of our waterways. We stand for the
right OF every child to n childhood
free from grinding toll, and to an ed
ucation; for the civic responsibility
and decency of every citizen; for pru-
dent foresight in public matters, and
for fair play in every relation OF our
national and economic life. In In
ternational matters we apply a sys-
tenn of diplomacy which puts the OBJ
legations of international morality on
level with those that govern the ac-
tions of an honest gentleman in deal
| ing with his fellow-men. Within our
own border we stand for truth and
honesty in public and private life;
and we war sternly against wrong
doors of every grade. All Of these
efforts are integral parts of the same
attempt, the attempt to enthrone
Justice and righteousness, to secure
freedom of opportunity to all Of our
citizens, now and hereafter. and to
set the ultimate interest Of all OF US
above the temporary interest of any
individual. class or group.
The nation. its government, and Its
resources exist. first Of all, for the
American citizen. whatever his creed,
race or birthplace. whether he be rich
or poor. educated or ignorant. pro-
yided only that he is a good citizen.
recognizing his obligations to the ma
ton for the rights and opportunities
which he owes to the nation.
The obligations, and not the rights
of citizenship increase in proportion
10 the increase of a mans wealth or
power. The time is coming when
man will be judged. not by what he
has succeeded INJECTING for himself
from the common store. but BY how
well he has done his duty as a citi-
zen. and by what the ordinary citi-