The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-08-10
.P|NCH0T SPEAKS
VIGOROUSLY ON
]. 5. LAND LAWS
CONTINUED From Page One.)

result, straight thinking and strong
action are necessary, and the straight
thinking comes first. To make this
country what we need to have it. we
must think clearly and directly about
our problems, and above all we must
understand what the real problems
are. The great things are few and
simple, but they are too often hidden
by false issues, and conventional, un-
real thinking. The easiest way to
hide real issue always has been, and
always will be, to replace it with a
false one.
The first thing we need in this
country, as President Roosevelt so
we'll set forth in that great message
which told what he had been trying
to do for the American people. is
equality of opportunity for every citi-
zen. No man should have less, and
no man ought to ask for any more.
Equality of opportunity is the real OBJ
ject of our laws and institutions. Our
institutions and our laws are not valu-
able in themselves. They are valuable
opportunity for happiness and welfare
for our citizens. An institution or a
law is means, not an end, means
to be used for the public good. to be
modified for the public good, and to
be interpreted for the public good.
One of the great reasons why Presi-
dent Roosevelt's administration was
OF such enormous value to the plain
American was that he understood
what st. Paul meant when he said:
1.-THE letter killeth. but the spirit Civ.
eth life" To follow blindly the let.
ter Of the law. or the form of an insti-
tuition. without intelligent regard both
for its spirit and for the public vel,
fare, is very nearly as dangerous as to
disregard the law altogether What
we need Is the use of the law for the
public good, and the construction of II
for the public welfare.
Law Is Supreme.
It goes without saying that the Law
is supreme and must be obeyed. Our
fertilization rests on obedience to law
But the law is not absolute. It re
lquires to be construed. Rigid con
struction OF the law works. and must
work, in the vast majority OF cases
for the benefit Of the men who can
hire the best lawyers and who have
the sources Of influence In law-makine
at their command. Strict construction
necessarily favors the great interests
as against the people. and in the Ions
run can not do otherwise. Wise ex
lecution OF the law must consider what
the law ought to accomplish for the
general good. The great oppressive
trusts exist because of subservient
lawmakers and adroit legal construc
tions. Here is the central stronghold
of the money power IN the everlasting
conflict OF the few to grab. and the
many to keep or win the rights they
were born with. Legal technicalitiei
seldom help the people. The people
not the law. should have the benefi
of every doubt.
Equality of opportunity, a square
deal for every man, the protection o
the citizen against the great concen
trations Of capital. the intelligent US,
Of laws and Institutions for the publ,
good, and the conservation Of on
national resources. not for the trusts
but for the people: these are real is
sues and real problems. Upon sucl
things as these the perpetuity OF thi
country ~ Nation Of homes reall.
depsnda We arc coming 70 $50 thu