The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-01-23

Washington, D. C.-The address on
Trusts, delivered by President Wilson
at e joint session OF the two houses of
Congress Tuesday, was as follows:
|. Address Of the President.
Gentlemen Of the Congress:
In my report ION the state of the
Union" which had the privilege of
reading to you on the LIST of December
last, ventured to reserve for dis
cussion at a later date the subject of
additional legislation regarding the
very difficult and intricate matter Of
trusts and monopolies. The time now
seems oppOrtune to turn to that great
question; not only because the cur
rency legislation, which absorbed your
attention and the attention of the
country in December, is now disposed
of, but also because opinion seems to
be clearing about us with singular
rapidity in this other great field of
action. In the matter Of the currency
it cleared suddenly and very happily
after the much-debated Act was
passed; in respect of the monopolies
which have multiplied about us and
In regard to the various means by
which they have been organized and
maintained it seems to be coming to
a clear and all but universal agree
ment in anticipation of our action, as
if by way of preparation, making the
way easier to see and easier to set
confusion of counsel.
Legislation has its atmosphere like
everything else, and the atmosphere
of accommodation and mutual under
standing which we now breathe with
SO much refreshment is matter of
sincere congratulation. 1t ought to
make our task very much less diff
cult and embarrassing than it would
have been had we been obliged to con-
tfnue to act amidst the atmosphere
of suspicion and antagonism which
has SO long made it impossible to ap-
proach such questions with dispas-
sionate fairness. Constructive legisla-
ton, when successful is always the
embodiment of convincing experience,
and of the mature public opinion which
finally springs out of that experience.
Legislation is a business of interpreta-
ton, not of origiration; and it is now
plain what the opinion is to which we
must give effect in this matter. It
is not recent or hasty opinion. 1t
springs out Of the experience Of q
whole generation. 1t has clarified itself
by long contest, and those who for
long time battled with it and sought
to change it are now frankly and hon
orably yielding to it and seeking to
conform their actions to it.
The great business rlen who or
ganized and financed monopoly and
those who administered it in actual
everyday transactions have year aft
er year, until now, either denied its
existence OF justified it as necessary
for the effective maintenance and de-
velopment of the vast business pro-
cesses of the country in the modern
circumstances of trade and manu-
facture and finance; but all the while
opinion has made head against them.
The average, business man is convinced
that the ways of liberty are also the
ways of peace and the ways of sue
cess as well: and at last the masters
OF business on the great scale have
begun to yield their preference and
purpose. perhaps their judgment also,
In honorable surrender.
What we are purposing to do. there
foiS. is. happily, not to hamper or
interfere with business as enlightened
business men prefer to do 1t, or in
any sense to put it under the ban.
The antagonism between business and
government is over. We are now about
to give expression to the best business
Judgment of America, to what we
know to be the business conscience
and honor of the land. The Govern
ment and business men are ready to
meet each other half way in COM
mon effort to square business methods
with both public opinion and the law.
The best informed men Of the bust
ness world condemn the methods and
processes and consequences of mono
poly as we condemn them; and the
instructive judgment of the vast ma
jority> of business men everywhere
goes with them. We shall now be
their spokesman. That is the strength
OF our position and the sure prophecy
Of what will ensue when our reason
able work is done.
When serious contest ends, when
men unite In opinion and purpose,
those who are to change their ways
of business joining with those who
ask for the change. it is possible to
effect it in the way in which prudent
and thoughtful and patriotic men
would wish to see 1t brought about,
with as few, as slight. as easy and
simple business readjustments as
possible In the circumstances. nothing
essential disturbed, nothing torn up
by the roots, no parts rent asunder
which can be left In wholesome COM
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