The Detroit times., 1913-03-04
Ne90 Wee Presldent
Addresses me SENATE

tN0G1 lIt AZ IlblC
III MS inaugural address, Nicc prcsl-
Gent Wilson spoke as follows:
senators; The prophecies OF this
occasion probably require q few words
from one who is grateful TO the Amer.
lean people for the honor heretofore
done him aud lhis-daY. contaminated.
No senator has. | trust. a keener
appreciation OF the necessities I'm the
way of tact and courtesy now devoIy.
ing upon me than | myself | offer No
surety as to my discharge OF duties
other than a personal pledge that |
will seek 10 familiarize myself with
them and will endeavor ALWAYS TO
exercise that complaisance and for.
bearance which are essential 10 him
who ably presides over great debates
upon great public questions by great
men.
Divergent views relative to this
body would be less divergent IL the
American people would come 10
realize that on all sides OF real cues.
tons much may truthfully be said.
Such an attitude OF the public mind
would eliminate the view that this
body is distinctively deliberative and
not thoroughly patriotic.
Charges OF bad faith based upon
an attitude of mind or upon conduct
should never be made until it is clear.
ton is the outcome Of personal in
terest or improper and dishonorable
business or social relations
Your action has not always met
with universal approval, but up tc
this good hour no workable substitute
for the exercise of the functions Of
this body has been proposed. 1t Ii
not needful for me here and now &c
accept a brief In your defense. This
body will continue to stand not be
cause of its presiding officer, but be
cause of the patriotism and intel
ligence OF its constituent members
and their devotion to our system OF
Government a Harness.
To my mind government is the har.
ness with which a people draws it's
load OF civilization. If the harness
be properly adjusted the load, though
heavy, will be drawn with ease and
no part of the people will be CALLED.
The senate is the binders, intended
to keep the people from shying at
dangers and topping Into
the ditch our system of government.
So long as the binders serve this
purpose they are most valuable part
OF the harness, but II they be drawn
so closely to the eyes as to prevent
Tho saaipo ~ roaI donyaro than than
should either be spread or done
away with entirely. am one Of
those who think that we can so ad-
Just our FLINDERS as to meet new con.
ditions and render US sanely respon-
sive to every reasonable demand OF
the people without disturbing any Of
the checks and balances of our sys-
tenn OF government and preserving
with loyalty and fidelity the ancient
ideals OF the republic.
With neither right nor desire to IN
fringe upon the prerogatives OF the
president 30 soon to be, beg the Elk
preston OF the opinion that whatever
diverse views may be held relative tt
the work OF this body all persons are
agreed that under the constitution thu
senate OF the United States Is singu
larly the guardian OF the peoples
honor; that more and more, az
righteousne ss is exalted among this
people, the idea Is becoming more
firmly fixed that 1t Is not vast terri
tory, great wealth nor large learning
which mark the real status Of Ameri-
ca; that America is to be measured
BY the golden metewand OF honor;
M iJao In hnr Fnrrlp finn "A
the inherent right of men to rule
that now she can ill-afford
to announce this doctrine In her own
land and renounce 1t for an instru-
ment OF oppression In other lands.
No Honor Standard.
Unfortunately there Is no fixed
standard Of honor outside the die
tionary. The gambler may hold 1t to
consist in paying his gaming debts,
the member OF the smart set, In
divorcing his neighbours wife before
taking her unto himself. the senator
In eliminating personalities. But
when we enter the chancelleries Of
the world and submit TO their judg-
ments not only our right to be but
our right to be respected we can hope
to be measured in but one way; and
we must be able to show that the
solemn treaty obligations Of this re-
public will be kept with the same
honesty, both OF spirit
and letter. whenever made with the
humbl people of this continent
for self-government or with
the mightiest monarch OF the old
world This high sense OF honor con
stitutes the panoply Of the American
people. Armies and battleships fur
nish no substitute for II. These are
valuable but the people never intend
ed that authority should use them as
accessories to burglars kit.
II any one in the name OF the
people, either in violation
OF treaty obligations or the manifest
purpose of the Monroe doctrine, has
taken aught while this body was de-
liberating, Il Is your duty TO ascertain
all facts thereto. And Ii wrong or
Injustice has been done. even TO the
humblest republic, let this people be
brave enough and sufficiently honest
10 make reparation. The real great.
ness OF this republic rests upon its
unsullied honor and IT is the duty or
this body TO search down rumors or
bad faith and dishonesty and 10
rectify wrong wherever wrong Is dis
covered.
Hare I'm fhie mozt sacred SUOt,