Gilpin observer., 1909-01-28
able equality OF opportunity tho dis
tribution of rewards will take care

able equality OF opportunity tho dis
tribution of rewards will take caro-
of itself.
The unchecked existence of monop-
oily is incompatible with equality of
opportunity. The reason for the ex-
ercise of government control over great
monopolies Is to equalize opportunity.
We are fighting against privilege. 1t
was made unlawful for corporations
to contribute money for election ex-
penses in order to abridge the power
of special privilege at the polls. Rail-
road rate control is an attempt to Sc
cure an equality of opportunity for all
| men affected by rail transportation; !;
| and that means all of us. The great
| anthracite coal strike was settled. and
| the pressing danger of a coal famine
averted, because We recognized that
! the control of a public pecessity In
wolves duty to the people, and that
| public Intervention in the affairs OF a
| public service corporation is neither
| to be resented as usurpation nor per-
mitted as privilege by the corpora
tions. but on the contrary to be ac-
cepted as duty and exercised as q
right by the government in the in
terest of all the people. The eff
cheney of the army and the navy has
been increased SO that our people may
follow in peace the great work of
making this country better place for
Americans to live in. and our navy
ultimate purpose. All the acts taken
by the government during the last
seven years. and all the policies now
being pursued by the Government. fit
in as parts of a consistent whole.
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 profit
The employers liability bill recog-
ha fan bat Iii
the employer usually has at stake no
more than his profit the stake of the
employe is a living for himself and
his family.
we are building the Panama canal;
and this means that we are engaged
in the giant engineering feat of all
time. We are striving to add in all
ways to the habitability and beauty of
our country We are striving to hold
in the public lands the remaining
supply of unaDpropriated coal for the
protection and benefit of all the people
We have taken the first steps toward
the conservation of our natural re-
sources. and the betterment of coun-
try life. and the Improvement of our
waterways. We stand for the right
of every child to a childhood free from
grinding toll, and to an education: for
the civic responsibility and decency
OF every citizen; for prudent fore
sight in public matters. and for fair
and economic life. In international
matters we apply a system of diplo-
macy which puts the obligations of
interna tional morality on "A level with
those that govern the actions of an
honest gentleman in dealing with his
fellow-men. Within our own border we
stand for truth and honesty in public
and in private life: and we war stern
ly against wrongdoers Of every grade
All these efforts are integral parts
AT att 30
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 it's 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-
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 to
| the increase of mans wealth or
| power. The time is coming when q
man will be judged. not by what he
has succeeded in getting for himself
from the common store. but by how
| well he has done his duty as citizen
| gained in freedom of opportunity be.
cause of his service for the common
| good. The highest value we know is
that of the individual citizen. and the
highest justice vs. to give him fair
play in the effort to realize the best
| there is in him.
The tasks this nation has to do
are great tasks. They can only be
| done at all by our citizens acting to-
gether and they can be done best of
| all by the direct and simple applica-
uon of homely common sense The
application of common sense to common
| problems for the common good under
| the guidance of the principles upon
| which this republic was based. and by
| virtue of which IL exists spells per
petuity for the nation. civil and indus
| trial liberty for its citizens and
| freedom of opportunity in the pursuit
| of happiness for the plain American.
| for whom this nation was founded by
whom 1t was preserved. and through
| whom alone 1t can be perpetuated
| Upon this platform-larger than any
| party differences. higher than class
prejudice. broader than any question
| of profit and loss-there is room for
| every American who realizes that the
| common good stands first"
Accompanying the message are ex-
| plantations and recommendations of
work to be done for the future good of
| the country. The president says: 'It is
especially important that the develop
ment OF water power should be guard =
| ed with the utmost care both by the
| national government and by the states
| In order to protect the people against
| the upgrowth OF monopoly and to in
| sure to them n fair share in the bene-
hts which Will follow the development
OF this great asset which belongs to
the people and should be controlled by
them.
Il urge that provision be made for
| both protection and more rapid devel-
| opment OF the national forests. other
wise either the increasing use of these
| forests by the people must be checked
| or their protection against fire must
| be dangerously weakened II we
compare the actual fire damage on sim :