Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-03-08

But We were very needless and In .
hurry 90 be great.
We have come now 10 the sober Sec
ond thought. The scales of needless
ness have fallen from our eyes. We
have made up our minds TO square ev.
cry process of our national life again
with the standards we so proudly set
up ~ the beginning ana have always
carried ~ our hearts. Our work is
work of restoration.
Thiras to Be Accomplished.
We have itcmized with some degree
OF particularly the things that ought
to iie altered. and here are some OF the
chief items. 4 tariff which cuts us of
from our proper part IN the commerce
OF the world. violates the Just princi-
ples Of taxation and makes the govern
mcmt faciie instrument In the hands
OF private interests: a banking ana cur
reuey system based upon the necessity
OF the government 10 sell its bonds iifty
years ago and perfectly adapted TO con
ceutratiug cash and restricting credits;
an Industrial system which. take IL on
ali It's sides. financial as well as adj
mlnistrativc. holds capital In leading
strings. restricts the liberties and lin
It's the opportunities of labor and ex-
ploits without renewing or conserving
the natural resources of the country:
body of agricultural activities never
vet given the efficiency of great busi-
ness undertakings or served as 1t
should be through the fundamentally
OF science taken directly 90 the farm
or afforded the facilities OF credit best
suited to its practical needs; water
courses undeveloped. waste places I'M
reclaimed. forests INTENDED. fast dis
appearing without plan or prospect OF
renewal, unregarded waste heaps Mt
every mine We have studied as per-
haps no other nation has the most eff
fective means of production. but we
have not studied cost or economy as
we should either as organizers of in
dustry. as statesmen or rs 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 It's children. as well ms 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
moi 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 to II that
II does not itself crush or weaken or
damage It's own constituent parts. The
first duty Of law is 10 keep sound the
society II 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 % the things we
ought TO 10 and not leave the others
undone. the old fashioned. never 10 he
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 as n nation to the light that
shines from the hearth IRE of every
mans conscience and vision oil the
right. II IL inconceiyable we should do
this ~ partlsaus: II il inconccivable we
should do Il IN ignorance of the facts
as they are or In blind haste. We shall
restore. not destroy. We shall deaf
with our economic system as IL is and
as il may be modified. not as Il might
! be If we had II clean sheet OF paper
to write upon. and step by step we
| shall make il what II should hc. In the
spirit Of those who question their
| own wisdom and seek counsel ana
knowledge. not shallow self satisfac-
ton or the excitement OF excursions
whittier they cannot tell. Justice. and
only Justice. shall always be our motto
Task Not Merely One Of Politics.
And vet II will be no cool process OF
mere science. The nation has been
deeply stirred-stirrcd by solemn pas
sion. stirred by the knowledge or
wrong. of ideals lost. OF government
too often tehauched and made an In.
strument of evil The feelings with
which we face this new age OF right
and opportunity sweep across our
heartstrngs like some air out Of Gods
own presence. where Justice and mercy
are reconcIlcd and the judge and the
brother are ane. We know our task 10
De no mere task OF politics. but task
which shall search us through ana
through. whether we be able to under
stand our time and the need 81 onf
people. whether we be indeed their