The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-03-07

| Ond ihOughi, TIE scales ~. needless
ness have fallru from our eyes We
have made M our minds tn square ev-
| cry process of our national life again
with the standards we 50 proudly set
up M the beginning ana have always
carried at oar hearts. Our work is II
WORK OF restoration.
Things &c Sc Aee-S plished.
We have itemized VIM some degree
of particularly the things that ought
to br altered. and here are some of the
chief items: \ tariff which cuts us off
from our proper part IN the commerce
OF the world. Violates the Just princi-
Piles Of taxation and makes the govern
ment n fnciie instrument in the hands
OF private Interests: II banking and cur.
rency system based upon the necessity
OF the government 10 sell It's bonds fifty
years ago ana perfectly adapted to con
centiTiting "aSh ana restricting credits:
an industrial! system which. take il OH
all it's sides. financial as well as ad-
miniStrativr. holds capital in leading
strings. restricts the liberties and linz
ploits without renewing or conserving
the nntnrai resources Of the country; Il
body of agricultural activities never
yet given the pilit icncy of great bust
ness undertakings or served rs IL
should he through the inStrunentality
Of science taken directly to the farm
or afforded the facilities of credit best
suited to its practical needs: water
courses Undeyeloppd. waste places UNI
reclaimed. forests INTENDED. fast dis
appearing without plan or prospect of
renewal. unregarded waste heaps at
every mine. We have studied as per-
haps no other nation has the most eff
fective means of production. hut we
have not studied cost or economy as
we should either as organizers OF in
dustry, as statesmen or as individuals.
Society's Duty to ITSELF
Nor have we studied and perfected
the means by which government may
be put at the service Of humanity in
safeguarding the health of the nation.
the health of its men and its women
and its children, as well as their rights
in the struggle for existence. This Is
no sentimental duty. The firm basis
Of government Is justice. not pity,
These are matters of justice There can
be no equality or opportunity. the first
essential OF justice In the body polite.
If men and women and children be
not shielded in their lives. their very
vitality, from the consequences of great
Industrial and social processes which
they cannot alter. control or singly
cope with Society must see 10 it that
1t does not itself crush or weaken or
damage Its own constituent parts. The
society it serves. Sanitary laws. pure
food laws and laws determining con.
ditions of labor which individuals are
powerless to determine for themselves
are Intimate parts of the very bust !
ness of justice and legal efficiency.
These are some of thc>t things we
ought to do and not leave the others
und0ne. the old fashioned. never to be
neglected. fundamental safeguarding
of property and OF individual right
This is the high enterprise of the new
day: TO lift everything that concerns
our life rs Il nation 10 the light that
shines from the hearth fire of every
mans conscience and vision Of the :
right II is Uncomfortable we should do
this as partisans; II is nronceivable we ,
should do ii In ignorance of the facts +
as they are or in blind haste We shall /,
restore. not destroy. We shall deal /
with our economic system MS it Is and !
as it may be modified. not as it might /
be if we had II clean sheet Of paper !
to write upon, and step by step we |
shall make it what ii should he, In the
spirit of those who question their
own wisdom and seek counsel and
knowledge. not shallow self satisfac-
ton or the excitement of excursions
whittier they cannot tell Justice. and
only Justice. shall always he our motto
Task Not Merely One Of Politics.
And yet it will be no cool process Of
mere science. The nation has been
deeply stirred-stirred by solemn pas
siop, stirred by the knowledge OF
wrong. of ideals lost. of government
lOO OIleu ueDuutUeNi biupt Hb IL
strument Of evil. The feelings with
which we face this new-~age OF right
and opportunity sweep across our
like some mir out Of Gods
own presence. where justice and mercy
are reconcilcd and the Judge and the
brother are one. We know our task to
be no mere task Of politics. bnt a task
which shall search us through and
whether we he able to under
stand our time and the need of our
people, whether we he indeed their
spokesman and interpreters. whether
we have the pure heart tO-comprehend
and the rectified will to choose our
high course Of action
This is not day Of triumph; 1t Is
a day Of dedication. Here muster not
the forces Of party. but the forces OF
humanity. Mems hearts wait upon ms;
mems lives hang In the balance: mems
hopes call upon us to say what. we
will do. who shall live up to the great
trust? Who dares fail to try? ] sum
mon all honest men. all patriotic. all