Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-03-04
WILSON AND MARSHALL GIVE VIEWS
DONATION IN INAUGUR ADDRESSES

We should either as organizers OF in
dustry, as statesmen or as individuals.
SOCIETN'S DUTY TO ITSELF.
Nor have we studied aud perfecte-
the means by which government may
be put at the service Of humanity IN
safeguarding the health of the nation.
the health Of it, men and lis women
and its children. rs well aS their rights
in the struggle for existence. This i
no sentimental duty. The hrm basis
Of government is justice. not pity.
These are matters of justice. There can
he no equality or opportunity. the first
essential OF justice in the hofy 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 sincly
cope with. Society must see to it that
II does not itself crush or weaken or
damage its own constituent parts. The
first duty of law is to keep sound 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 the things we
ought to do and not leave the others
undone, 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 as a nation To the light that
shines from the hearth fire OF every
mans conscience and vision OF the
night. II is incOnceivable we should do
this as partisans; II is incOnceivab BILE we
should do It in ignorance of the facts
as they are or in blind haste We shall
restore. not destroy. We shall deaI
with our economic system as il is and
as it may be modified, not as it might
be If we had a clean sheet OF paper
to write upon. and step by step we
shall make 1t what it should be in the
spirit OF those who question theil
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 be our motto
TASK NOT MERELY POLITICAL.
And yet it will be no cool process of
mere science. The nation has been
deeply stirred-stirred by a solemn pas
sion. stirred by the knowledge OF
~ % ~,
too often debauched and made an in
strunent of evil The feelings witt
which we face this new age of right
and opportunity sweep across Oul
heartstrings like some air out of Gods
own presence. where Justice and mercy
are reconcileG and the judge and the
brother are one. We know our task I,
he no mere task Of politics. but a taSE
which shall search us through anc
through. whether we he able TO under
stand our time and me need of on
people. whether we he indeed thci
SpYkrsUpu and interpreters. vhpthc
We have the pure heart to cOmprpheu,
and the rertiiicd will To choose on
high course nf action.
This is not day Of triumph: II 4
r daT Of dedication Here muster no
the forces Of uartv. hut tie forces o
humanity Mems hearts wait upon uS
mems lives hang IN the balance: men
hopes call upon us 10 say what w
will do Who shall live up TO the Crea
trust? Who dar"~ fail to try? | sum
mon All honest men. al patriotic. al