New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-01-23

and n
5Ttis adnoinisfra ton has achieved some Things
II has sought, but has not been abe; TO w. IN
others. IL has doubtless made MISTAKES ~ a.
It has done or attempted has been IN tL,e oi3
consistent effort TO secure and enlarge the rlslS
and opportunities of the men ana "oIileil % :
United States. We are trying 70 coilsei o e striv
"a good in our social system, and we are sCIAE
ing toward this end when we endeaNot ~ ~
away with what is bad. Success may % MY s
too hard for some If 1t Is mace toE 80 ord
others The rewards of common indusuy anu
thrift NAV be too small II the rewards JOY
other and on the whole less valuable. qu1illIs
are made too large, and especially IL tne IL
wards for qualities which are really, from the
public standpoint, undesirable are peIIttSG -
become too large Our aim is so far as az
to provide such conditions that there sidI nv, We
equality Of opportunity where tilere - 90 go
Of energy fidelity and intelligence; WheH M
is reasonable equality Of opportunity thS us
tribution OF rewards viii take care ol I''''-
FIGHTING AGAINST PRIVILEGE.
The unchecked existence of monopoly is in
compatible with equality or oppoTtuilIly ~
reason for the exercise Of government tontIo
over great monopoes is to equalize opportu-
nifty We are fighting against privilege IL was
made unlawful for corporations TO con IL LUZ
money for election expenses in order TO aDrldSe
the power of special privilege at the polls Ran
road rate control is an attempt TO secure an
equality Of opportunity for all men aHecIeu py
rail transportation; and that means an OF US,
The great anthracite coal strike was settled ana
the pressing danger OF coal famine Ye , II1
because we recognized that the cohttol OF d pun
lie necessity involves duty TO the people ana
that public intervention in the affairs OF run
lie Service corpora is neither to be resented
as usurpation nor permitted as a privilege by
the corporations, but on the contrary to be &C
cepted as a duty and exercised as a right by
the government in the interest OF all the people
The efficiency of the army and the navy mas
been increased so that people may follow IN
peace the great work of making this country d
better place for Americans to live H. ana our
navy was sent around the world for the same
ultimate purpose. All the acts taken by the
government during the last seven years, ana al
he naIio haT mrs
ment, fit in parts of a consistent whole.
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 champion is to serve all the PEG
pie legtimately and openly, instead Of permit
ting the lands TO be converted, lleGitunalely
and under cover, TO the private b1hefit of a few.
Our forest policy was established that we
might use the public forests for the permanent
public good instead of merely for temporary
private gain, The reclamation act. under which
the desert parts of the public domain are COLI
verified to higher uses for the genera oelish'; was
passed so that more Americans might nave
homes the land.
These policies were enacted into law and nave
justified their enactment. 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 Dement'S 70
the use of the smaU man, who Is the home
maker. instead Of allowing IL 10 he controlled
by few great cattle and sheep owners
The enactment Of q pure food law was n rec
ognitfon Of the fact that the public welfare out
weighs the right to private gain, and that no
man may poison the people for his private profit
The employers liability bill recognized the con
trolling fact that while the employer usually
has at stake more than his profit. the stake
Of the employe is & living for himself and hIs
family.
We are building the Panama Canal. and this
means that we engaged in the giant engi-
neering feat OF all time. We are striving to add
in all ways TO the Availability and beauty Of
our country We striving to hold In the
public hands the remaining supply of unappro-
prated coal for the protection and benefit Of all
the people. We have taken the first steps tow
ard the conservation of our natural resources
and the hetterment Of country life and the I'M
provement Of our waterways. We stand for the
right Of every child 10 childhood free from
grinding toll. and to an education; for the civic
responsibility and decency OF every citizen; for
prudent foresight in public matters and for falr
play in every relation or our national and eco
nomic life. In international matters We apply
a system of diplomacy which puts the obliga-
tons of international morality on a level with
those that govern the actions Of an honest gen
tIemar in dealing with his fellow men. Within
our own border stand for truth and honesty
in public and in private life. and We war stern
" against wronEdoers Of every grade. All these
efforts are integral parts Of the same attempt,
the attempt to enthrone justice and righteous
ness TO secure freedom OF opportunity 20 all Of
our citizens. now and hereafter, and to set the
ultimate interest Of all of above the tempo
rary interest OF any individual, class or group
ALL EXIST FOR THE CITIZEN.
The nation. its government and its resources
exist first OF all, for the American citizen what
ever his creed, race or birthplace. whether he
be rich or poor educated or ignorant provided
only that he is q good citizen. recognizing his
obligations 70 the nation for the rights and OPP
portunities which he owes TO the nation.
The obligations and not the rights Of citizen
ship increase in proportion to the increase OF a
mans wealth power The time is coming
when will be judged, not by what he las
succeeded in getting for himself from the com
mon store but by how wen he has done his duty
citizen and by what the ordinary citizen
has gained in freedom Of opportunity because
OF his service for the common good The high
est value we know is that of the individual Citi-
zen, and the highest Justice IS to give him fair
play in TIE effort TO realize the best there IS In
him.
The tasks this nation has 10 do are great
tasks. They only be done at all by our citi-
zens working together. and they be done
best Of all by the direct and simple application
OF homey common sense. The application of
common sense to common problems for the
common good. under the guidance of the prin-
Ciples upon which this republic was based. and
by virtue of which IL exists. spells perpetuity
for the nation, civil and industrial liberty for
it's citizens and freedom OF opportunity in the
pursuit Of happiness for the plain American for
whom this nation founded, by whom II was
preserved and through whom alone IT can be
perpetuated. Upon this platform-larger than
party differences higher than class prejudice,
broader than any question OF profit and loss
that the common good stands first.
The National Conservation Commission wisely
confined its report to the statement of facts and
principles. leaving the Executive TO recommend
the specific steps to which these facts and priu-
ciples inevitably lead. Accordingly, I call your
situation disclosed by the report and to the ac-
tion thereby clearly demanded for the general
good