The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-24

when these things which touch US
privately seem very small when the
work to be done is so pressing and so
fraught with big consequences that We
know that we are not at liberty to
weigh against it any point of personal
sacrifice. We are now in the presence
of sucn an occasion. 1t is absolutely
Imperative that we should give the
business men OF this country a bank
Ing and currency system, by means OF
which they can make use of the free
dom Of enterprise and OF individual
initiative which we are about to be-
stow upon them.
I'VE are about to set them free; we
must not leave them without the tools
OF aotion when they are free. We are
about to set them free by removing
the trammels OF the protective tariff
Ever since the Civil War they have
waited Tor this emancipation and for
the free opportunities II will bring
win II. 1t has been reserved for US
to give II TO them. Some fell in love,
indeed. with the slothful security. of
their dependence upon the government;
some look advantage OF the shelter
OF the nursery 10 set up a mimic mas
terry OF their own within it's walls
Now both the tonic and the discipline
of liberty and maturity are 10 ensue
There VIII be some readjustments OF
purpose and point OF view There will
FOLLOW period OF expansion and new
! enterprise. freshly conceived II Is for
US 10 determine now whether il shall
be rapid and facile and of easy ac-
complishment. This II cannot be un-
less the resourccful business men who
are TO deal with the new circumstances
use the Observation-Disclosures and convent
ences OF free enterprise which indie
pendent men need when acting on their
own initiative.
Duty Not Negative.
Ut is not enough 10 strike the
shackles from business The duty OF
craftsmanship is not negative merely.
IL is constructive also We must
show that ne understand what bust
ness needs and that we know how TO
supply IT, No man. however casual
and superficial his observation OF the
conditions now prevailing in the coun-
try can fan 10 see that one OF the
chief things business needs now. and
VIII need Increasingly as it gains in
scope and vigor in the years immedi-
ately ahead Of us. is the proper means
by which readily to utallze lis credit
cor pHate and individual. and it's origi-
native brains What will IL profit US
to be free If we are not to have the
best and most accessible instrument
ta!it.es OF commerce and enterprise?
What will it profit us TO be quit OF
oi.c knid OF monopoly II ne are TO
remain in the grip OF another and
more effective kind? How are ve to
gain and keep the confidence OF the
business community unless we show
that ne know how both TO aid and to
protect IL? What shall we say IL we
make fresh enterprise necessary and
also make II very difficult. by leaving
all else except tho tariff just as We
found it? The tyrannies of business.
big and little. lie within the field Of
credit. We know that Shall We not
act upon the knowledge? DO we net
know how 10 act upon IL? II man
cannot make his assets available at
pleasure. his assets OF capacity and
character and resource. what salts
faction Is 1t to him 20 see opportunity
beckoning 10 MIN on every hand when
others have the keys to credit in their
pockets and treat them as all but
their own private possession? II is
perfectly clear that 1t is our duty to
supply the new banking and currency
system the country needs. and that II
will immediately need {, more than
ever.
The only question is when shall
We supply it-now. or later, after the
demands shall have become reproaches
that we were so dull and so slow
Shall We hasten 10 change the tariff
laws and then be lagRards about max
Ing II possible and easy for the coun-
try 10 take advantage OF the change?
There can he only one answer TO that
question. We must act now, at what.
ever sacrifice 10 ourselves. II is a
duty which the circumstances forbid
us 10 postpone. l should be recreant
TO my deepest convictions Of public
obligation did not press Il upon
you with solemn and urgent insist
ence.