The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1914-01-30

of congress, said;
Gentlemen of the Congress-: In my
report ION the State of the Union,
which l had the privilege of reading
to you on the I'd of December last
ventured to reserve for discussion
at a later date the subject of add
tional legislation regarding the very
graphical and intricate matter Of
trusts and monopolies. The time now
seems opportune to turn to that great
question; not only because the cur
reney legislation which absorbed your
attention and due attention Of the
country In December is now disposed
of, but also because opinion seems to
be clearing about us with singular ra.
pidlty in this other great field Of ac-
ton. In the matter of the currency
It cleared suddenly and very happily
| after the much-debated act was
| passed; in respect to the monopolies
which have multiplied about us, and
in regard to the various means by
which they have been organized and
maintained, 1t seems to be coming to
a clear and all but universal agree
ment in anticipation of our action, as
II by way of preparation, making the
way easier to see and easier to set
out upon with confidence and without
confusion of counsel.
Legislation has Its atmosphere like
everything else, and the atmosphere
of accommodation and mutual under
standing which we now breathe with
80 much refreshment is a matter of
sincere congratulation. II ought to
make our task very much less difficult
and embarrassing than 1t would have
been had we been obliged to continue
to act amidst the atmosphere Of sus-
picion and antagonism, which has so
long made 1t impossible to approach
such question with dispassionate fair
ness. Constructive legislation, when
successful is always the embodiment
of convincing experience and of the
mature public opinion which finally
springs out of that experience. Legis-
lation is a business OF Interpretation,
not of origination; and 1t is now plain
what the opinion Is to which we must
give effect in this matter. 1t is not
recent or hasty opinion. It springs
out of the experience Of whole gen.
Grafton. 1t has clarified itself by long
contest, and those who for long time
battled with It and sought to change il
are now frankly and honorably yield
ing to It and seeking to conform their
actions to It.
Masters Of Business Yield.
The great business men who organ
ICED and financed monopoly and those
who administered it in actual every
day transactions have, year after year,
until now, either denied its existence
or justified it as necessary for the eff
iective maintenance and development
Of the vast business processes of the
country In the modern circumstances
of trade and manufacture and finance;
but all the whole opinion has made
Roadway against them. The average
business man is convinced that the
ways Of liberty are also the ways Of
peace and the ways of success as
well; and at last the masters of bust
ness on the great scale have begun to
yield their preference and purpose,
perhaps their judgment also, in honor
able surrender.
What We are preparing to do, there
fore, Is, happily, not to hamper or in
terfere with business as enlightened
business men prefer to do it, or in any
sense to put 1t under the ban. The
antagonism between business and gov
eminent 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
mont and business men are ready to
meet each other half way in common
effort to square business methods with
both public opinion and the law. The
best-informed men Of the business
world condemn the methods and pro-
cesses and consequences of monopoly
as we condemn them, and the instinc-
tive judgment of the vast majority of
business men everywhere goes with
them. We shall now be their spokes-
men. That is the strength of our po-
sition and the sure prophesy of what
will ensue when our reasonable work
Is done.
No Sweeping Measure Necessary.
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, II is possible to effect
It in the way in which prudent and
thoughtful and patriotic men would
wish to see is brought about, with as
few. as slight, as easy and simple bus.
mess readiustments as possible in
the circumstances, nothing essential
disturbed, nothing torn up by the
roots, no parts rent asunder which
can be left in wholesome condition
| Fortunately, no measures Of sweeping
or novel change are necessary. 1t will
be understood that our object is moi
to unsettle business or anywhere Sc
riously OF break its established