The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-09-02

develop our natural resources, our
mines, our forests, our water power.
1 wish we could have made more
progress than we have made in this
vital matter: and 1 call once more,
with the deepest earnestness and So
licitude, upon the advocates of a care
full and provident conservation, on the
one hand, and the advocates of a free
and inviting field for private capital,
on the other to get together in
spirit of genuine accommodation and
agreement and set this great policy
forward at once.
We must hearten and quicken the
spirit ard efficiency of labor thruout
our whole industrial system by every
where and in all occupations doing
justice to the laborer, not only by pay
ing a living wage but also by making
all the conditions that surround labor
what they ought to be. And we must
do more than justice. We must safe
guard life and promote health and
safety in every occupation in which
they are threatened or imperilIed.
That is more than justice, and better,
because it is humanity and economy.
We must coordinate the railway
systems of the country for national
use, and must facilitate and prom: Se
their development with a view to that
coordination and to their better
adaptation as a whole to the life and
trade and defense of the nation. The
life and industry of the country can
be free and unhampered only If these
arteries are open, efficient, and COM
plete.
Thus shall we stand ready to meet
the future as circumstances and in
ternational policy effect their unfold
ing, whether the changes come slowly
or come fast and without preface.
1 have not spoken explicitly, gentle
nf r1a adn at
Louis; but it has been implicit in all
that 1 have said. I have sought to
interpret its spirit and meaning. The
people of the United States do not
need to be assured now that that plat
form is a definite pledge, a practical
program. We have proved to them
that our promises are made to be kept.
We hold very definite ideals. We
believe that the energy and initiative
of our people have been too narrowly
coached and superintendent, that they
should be set free, as we have set
them free. to dispense themselves
turnout the nation: that they should
not be concentrated in the hands of a
few powerful guides ana guardians. as
CUR opponents have again and again,
in effect If not in purpose. sought to
concentrate them. We believe. more
over-who that looks about him now
with comprehending eye can fail to
believe THAT the day of Little Amer
when methods of protection and in
dustrial nursing were the chief study
of our provincial statesmen, are past
and gone and that a day Of enterprise
has at last dawned for the United
States whose field is the wide world.
We hope to see the stimulus of that
new day draw all America, the re-
publics of both continents, on u new
life and energy and initiative in the
great affairs of peace. We are Ameri-
cans for Big America. and rejoice to
look forward to the days in which
America shall strive to stir the world
without irritating it or drawing it on
to new antagonisms, when the nations
with which we deal shall at last come
to see upon what deep foundations of
humanity and justice our passion for
peace rests, and when all mankind
shall look upon our great people with
new sentiment of admiration, friend
ly rivalry and real affection, as upon
people who, though keen to succeed
seeks always to be at once generous
and just and to whom humanity is
dearer than profit or selfish power
Upon this record and in the faith
OF this purpose we go to the country.