The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1912-01-23
OBEDIENCE TO LAW.
Speech Of VIM. E. BOrah Before New
York Republican Club, Dec. 90.
Mr.. President:

Mr.. President:
! agree with those who regard The
political problems of today as new ant
unusual, serious, and singularly in
volved. ! am In full sympathy with
those who are at war with present
conditions. | am not one of those who
believe that our present institution.
are not vulnerable to the same sap
ping and destructive influences which
have undermined and destroyed other
republics. But | believe we are YET
too young to die and ought to be toe
young to be discouraged There nc
doubt Is much trouble and a call fol
real patriotism wrapped up in the neal
future; in fact the situation is here
now. But l believe there is courage
enough to endure the troubles, patrio.
tism enough to respond to the calls
and brains and conscience enough tC
see our responsibilities and finally
meet them. If we keep our feet on
the earth and faith in our free institu-
tons full and strong, and deal with
these matters in broad practical
way, relieved of narrow partiZanship
and factional strife, the right course
will at last inevitably appear and be
accepted by all. In this great meet
ing tonight, held under the auspices
and inspiration of the youth-the en-
thusiasm, loyalty, and hope of this
great State-there is fine assurance
that the reserve power of the republic
is commensurate with it's trials and
responsibilities. There is no barrier
which wrong may erect as against
common rights, no special privilege
which injustice and selfishness may
create but must finally give way be-
fore the initiative, the energy, the dis
interestedness of young men.
l am not going in the brief time at
my disposal to recount to you the his
tory or remote with you the achieve
ments of our party. 1t is an interest
ing and an Inspiring theme, but filter
for the reflective hours of the splendid
men who helped to make it than for a
gathering of young men who are met
for action and covet the bracing effect
of the hours urgent duty. Neither am
l going to tell you in these twenty
minutes how to solve the trust prob
lem, Notwithstanding every man of
intellectual responsibility has a per-
feet plan as to how to do this, in
which plan no one generally has any
confidence except himself But if | am
permitted | want to talk briefly of a
question which lies at the foundation
OF all government-a question simple
in its presentation, but searching in it's
far-reaching effect upon our moral and
economic life and upon our strength
and prestige as self-governing peo-
pie. In dealing with our new ques-
tons, in our striving to find the bound
airy line, dim and deceptive, between
competition and that of regulation and
control, we cannot afford to wholly ig-
more the ancient virtues and homely
precepts of the republic--the virtues
and precepts through and by means Of
which the republic was built, and from
and by reason of which it has gathered
its strength and realized it's marvel
Gus growth.
III l were going to inscribe banner
under which to fight the battles of
good and wholesome government, a |
banner with which to arouse the dis
plrited millions of brave and loyal |
yeomanry, | would precede all other |
inscriptions, plans, and pledges with |
that OF enforcement of the law and OBJ
edience from one and all to it's terms
because it is the law. There are thou
sands and thousands of people, with
the number daily increasing, who
would like to feel safe in their per-
sons, safe in their workshops and
homes, who would like to feel that JUS
tice can be administered alike to the
rich and the poor, and that we have
not one government for the honest
business man trying to be right and
another for those who are ruthlessly
preying upon the rights of others and
OF the public. Even if l were going
as party to continue to yield to the
cupidity OF some and compromise with
the selfishness of others | would at
least recognize the demands of those
who still place their country above the
dollar and regard the enforcement of
equal and effective laws for all as
above every other blessing which gov
can bestow. What shall it
profit that we devise plans and enact
statutes for the protection OF human
life or property or the regulation and
guidance of our vast business interests
II every man is to be law unto him
self? The bedrock, the granite forma-
ton upon which great civilizations
and powerful governments are built,
IS obedience to the law We have
seemingly arrived at time when a
political party can afford to make it a
tenet Of it's faith.
A few weeks ago the country was
and shocked by the confess
sion of two labor leaders In order to
ave their own lives, which they had
20 often declared they would gladly
sacrifice for labor, they entered their
please OF guilty, insisting that they
lid all for principle, and seemed to
expect an astonished world to accept
heir remarkable apologies. No rea-
onable man would seek to hold Union
labor as such responsible for this con-
piracy to carry on indiscrimnate
murder. Fair men will not by reason
4 their confession seek to impeach
he citizenship of the rank and file of
he great army OF labor But even so [
nd with that conceded the brutal tale
( f1endish destruction of property and [
life leaves honest labor Inundated, '
iscouraged, and distrustful, it's up ;
light and conscientious leaders con- !
used and dispirited, and in view of |