Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-03-10

the way of governing themselves. He
made Il clear that he wished to correct
an impression that he had declared the
people unfit for self-government. At the
close Of his definition Of a progressive,
the president reviewed some OF the acts
OF the administration including the tar
III. the enforcement Of the antitrust and
interstate commerce acts.
In conclusion. the president pointed TO
acts of his administration to prove Its
progresstveness. He said In part:
In the history OF politics. from time
to time, new phrases are coined 10
characterize new issues and new move
ments. One of the terms which has come
into constant use today is progressive,
and II is supposed to indicate the APP
poslte OF reactIonary' or 'ultraconserya-
tive Men differ as TO what progressive
policies are. but perhaps We can reach
definition that will suit everybody.
Purpose of Government.
Government 10 framed for the creates.
good for the greatest number. and also
for the greatest good of the individual.
and the problem presented is the baianc-
ing OF these two objects in such way
as that both may proceed side by sde.
While we would not part with the right
Of property. and while, possibly. in GER
tain directions We might be willing TO
modify the character Of Its use where II
has turned out to be an abuse. as In
the case Of the antitrust law. what we
are all struggling for. what we all recog-
nize as the highest ideal in society. is
equality Of opportunity for every member
born into IL.
Under the Jeffersonian idea IT was
thought that the least government OF
mankind was the best. and that the more
nearly the functions Of the government
were confined to the administration Of
justice and to the enforcement OF law the
better: but under present conditions OF
population and civilization there are many
functions that the government can more
effectively and more economically per-
form than private enterprise. and In this
way the individuals among the people
may derive greater benefits. The statu-
tory provision Of the legislative discharge
Of such functions by the government Is
progressive.
There were many who were not So
cialists. but who saw in the present struc-
ture Of our government, and especially in
the checks and balances intended b. the
trainers Of our constitution. 10 secure de.
liberation and calm action on the part
Of the people, a real obstruction 10 the
reforms that were deemed necessary IN
order TO maintain the proper control OF
capital and corporate privilege by popu.
lar will and TO secure equality Of oppor-
tunty. ProgTessives Of this stripe at
tained a great popule- support and were
able for a time at leGst to give the i'm
preston that others who were equally
Imbued with the necessity for reform BY
legislative and governmental action, bu.
who thought 1t might come without de
stroying the present structure Of our gov
eminent, and without affecting the guar.
antics OF life. liberty and property, were
rsaetionary and Unsympathetic with the
cause Of the people. The bitterness OF
the attacks which they made on men in
responsible position. the lack Of restraint
that they manifested in impeaching the
motives of men as high-mineed and az
honest as any Of them. we're only symp-
toms OF a psychological situation tina,
must pass under the calming lapse Of