The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1912-01-11
"OBEDIENCE
TO LAW"
speech Of VIM. e. Borah, Junior Uni.
ted States Senator From Idaho, Be-
rore the New York Republican Club,
December 20, 1911.
Mr.. President:

/ agree with those who regard the
political problems of today as new and
unusual, serious, and singularly invol.
yea. am in full sympathy with
those who are at war with present cor
cltlons. / am not one of those who
beileve that our present institutions
are not vulnerable to the same SAN
ping and destructive influences which
nave undermined and destroyed other
republics. But l believe we are vet
100 young to die and ought to be too
young to be discouraged There no
doubt Is much trouble and call for
real patriotism wrapped up in the near
future; in fact the situation is here
now But l believe there is courage
enough to endure the troubles, patriot
Ism enough to respond to the calls,
and brains and conscience enough to
see cur responsibilities and finally meet
them. If we keep our feet on the
earth and faith in our free institutions
1ull and strong, and deal with these
matters in broad, practical way, re-
heved of narrow partizanship and fac
tlonal strife, the right course will at
last inevitably appear and be accented
by all. In this great meeting tonight.
held under the auspices and inspira-
ton OF the youth-the enthusiasm, 10y
atty. and hope of this great State
there is fine assurance that the re-
serve power Of the republic is com
mensurate with its trials and respon-
s.biljties. There is no barrier which |
wrong may erect as against common
rights, no special privilege which in
justice and selfishness may create but |
must finally give way before the in
ltlatiye, the energy, the disinterested-
ness of young men.
am not going in the brief time at
my disposal to recount to you the his
tory -ol remote with you the achieve.
ments CT our party. 1t is an interest
ing and an inspiring theme, but filter
for the reflective hours of the splen-
Cid men who helped to make it than
tor 4 gathering of young men who are
met for action and covet the bracing
effort of the hours urgent duty. Meth
er am ! going to tell in these twenty
minutes how to solve the trust problem
every man of intellec-
tual respectability has a perfect plan
as TO how to do this, in which plan |
no cne generally has any confidence ,
except himself. But if am permitted
want to talk briefly of a question
which lies at the foundation of all gov !
erhment-a question simple in it's pre- g
:enta;ion, but searching in it's far {
reaching effect upon our moral and '
economic life and upon our strength t
ard prestige as selfgoverning peo- {
pie. In dealing with our new question S
III our striving to find the boundary 2
line, dim and deceptive, between COM \
petition and that of regulation and n
control, we cannot afford tC 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 g
and by reason of which it has gather n
ed its strength and realized its marvel n
)us growth o,
IT l were going to inscribe banner a,
lnder which to fight the battles of p
good and wholesome government, b.
'anner with which to arouse the dis. o,
'irited millions of brave and loyal yeo- h
nanry. l would precede all other in a,
criptions. plans, and pledges with that
IT enforcement of the law and obedi- N
nee from one and all to its terms be-
'ause it is the law There are thous. g.,
Inds and thousands of people, with the he
lumber daily increasing, who would ~
Ike to feel safe in their persons. safe Oh
n their workshops and homes, who q,
you'd like to feel that justice can be II,
administered alike to the rich and the ~,
oor, and that we have not one gov. ~,
for the honest business man no
rying to be right and another for Cl
hose who are ruthlessly preying upon NJ,
ne rights of others and of the public. %.
wen If l were going as party to MI
ontinue to yield to the cupiaity of co
ONE and compromise with the self 20,
'hness of others l would at least re- nj.
ognize the demands of those who os
till place their country above the dol.
II and who regard the enforcement
equal and effective laws for all as
bove every other blessing which gov on
rnment can bestow. What shall il oo
rofit that we devise plans and enact co,
fatutes for the protection of human me
fe or property or the regulation and ma
nidance of our vast business interests ri,
every man is to be law unto him for
II? The bedrock. the granite forma. wi,
% upon which great civilizations and the