New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-05
the 4ooth anniversary Of the day Balboa

the 400th anniversary Of the day Balboa
discovered the Pacific.
Finally, although We entered Office In
the shadow of a recent panic. during
the four years Of this administration
business has revived. confidence has re-
turned, widespread prosperity is at
hand. the demand for labor is greater
than ever. and the standard of wages
for all classes OF labor is higher tnan
ever before In orr history.
Now, under these conditions. what was
it that impeded my progress as candl-
date, and what was the political disease
OF which ! died? l am hopeful that
when historians conduct their post-mor-
tens it may be found that my demise
was due to circumstances over when 1
had no great control, and to political
cataclysm which / could hardly have
anticipated or avoided: but. whether this
be true or not. even friendly critics are
able to point out personal reasons why
it was that, though I went In. also
went out with large majorities.
1t has been charged against me that l
am an aristocrat, and that l have no
sympathy with the common people, and
I have no doubt that this impression
has gone abroad and has settled deep In
the minds Of many people. Now. don't
think II Is true. I think / am as SYM
pathetic with the common people, as
earnestly DESTROYS of their happiness as
anxious to see that they have Justice
accorded them and that they enjoy their
rights under the law and Constitution as
fully and completely as any one. l De-
lieve most profoundly that popular gov
eminent is the best government that We
can have, and 1 am greatly concerned
that 1t shall continue and be successful
in giving to the people at large the best
measure Of Individual liberty on the one
hand and the greatest practical ELL
cheney in government on the other. III
may be that I'm my earnest desire 10
make government efficient | have not
always explained that l believe that 10
make government efficient is to woTK
directly in the interest of the common
people.
My administration has come and gone
in a period CT unrest and agitation FOR
something intangible which 1t Is dihcult
definitely to describe. We have lived
during the last four years, and are liv-
ing now, in an atmosphere OF strenu-,
Gus denuncfations of certain evils and
loud aspirations for an ideal state in
which the common people are 10 become
happier, the poor and the oppressed are
to acquire property and cease suffering.
and much or all OF the change is 10 be
accomplished through the agency Of tho
government
The Accommodations Of swollen fortunes
during the two decades preceding. and
many Of them by an improper means
that is. by a violation Of the antitrust
law or the anti-rebate law-aroused
feeling Of Just Indignation and set the
tune to public addresses. The notes or
denunciation of the malefactors or
wealth on the one hand and of prom
ises of rectifying such inequalities by
governmental means and increasing the
equality Of opportunity among the poor
rang pleasantly in the ears of the peo-
pie They made for the popularity or
those who produced the sweet tones, as
surfing better conditions and complete
social reform, all by means OF elections
ard governmental action