New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-05-02
WISE FOR DISARMAMENT
Rabbi Says Efforts Should Go on
Without Roosevelt.
DEGREES ONE MAN POWER
Not Democracy's Part to Lean
Upon Single Leader, Even
One Able as Hughes.

IL the course of al address on rs IL
Well with the Republic?' at the Free syna-
gosue yesterday DR.. Stephen s Wise salo'
In part:
Time was when We rejoiCed in the sta
bility OF the foundations of the Republic
The time has come for us to recognize that
certain foundations may undermine the
Republic A democracy must insist upon
the right 10 judge men irrespective OF their
gifts and benefactions. A democracy must
not suffer so-caled benefactions to con-
found and confuse moral standards.
cit will not be we'll with the Republic
Unless are wise and stateSmanhhe
enough to enter upon large programme
of social reform. Failing comprehensive
social programme, we shall continue 10
shift TO the shoulders OF overworked char
ity the burdens which can be borne equita-
bly, only by underwOrked justice.
AN imperilling tendency in the Republic
is taking the form in our day Of lawless-
ness The most dangerous type of law
lessness is quasi-legal in form, and there
fore douby insidious and endangering. An
example of this ouasi-legal law1esSness lies
close at hand in the conduct of the rail-
road company which has for years sue
cessfuly resisted the attempt to lessen the
peril to the population OF New York by
insisting upon its legally dubious and
morally untenable right 70 MAIN and
slaughter men. women and children on
Death avenue
Some weeks ago Il was announced that
former President Roosevelt would discuss
with the rulers of England and Germany
the possibility of joint limitation of arma-
ments. The leading journals of the nation
voiced public opinion in declaring mat
successful outcome of this plan would
nobly crown the great career OF PRESIDENT
Roosevelt. Before the chorus of praise had
died away d report reached these shores
to the effect that former President Roose-
welt had vigorously denied that he had
harbornd any suCn purpose. My question
is If it was wrong in the former Presi-
detn to venture to suggest to the heads of
tvSo foreign powers the possibility OF lin
ting ornaments, the American people
should not have Eesitated TO register tier
conviction 10 this effect. If, on the other
hand. as We hold, ii would have been the
c.rowrinC achievement of almost I'M
eoualIAd career for President Roosevelt to
have used the power of his One-time office
and The prestige of his massive personality
to urge upon the European powers the
madness of ceaseless piling Up of cima-
ments, then ought the American peopie
seek to do that to-day which but yesterday
they rejoiced TO learn President hCuScfelt
had manned to do? In other words are We
TO abandon what might be called the
American plan. or are We 20 persist III
presenting It to the conscience OF the world.
even though that plan be not supporter W
the authority and personal force Oh the late
President of the United States?
Again and again we find that the many
in the Republic are ready TO shift TO the
shoulders of one or a few the burdens
which can alone be supported by the Who4e
people. Since the appointment OF the Gov
crnor of our state TO the supreme I0uTt
bench il is becoming increasingly Gear
that the politicians assume that. with the
removal of the tremendous moral power OF
Governor Hughes from the state capital
they will be safe in plotting the defeat "
Governor Hughess wise plans 10 minimize
the power of the POLITICAL machines aDd
their ofttime corrupt bosses 1t IS not
the part of democracy to fasten It's tasks
and burdens upon any one man, however
strong and commanding democratic
neop!e must pc greater than its greatest
leaders The restoration of the power OF
SoIf-royernment to the people of our STATE
* NOT the business of one man. though that
ma, be as efficient and consecrated as iS
Governor Hughes.