Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-02-26
NEW OFFICERS ELECTED
THE BANQUET
Bay state Official Discusses American
ism and It's Foes

More than $50 members of the assoc
citation and their guests attended the
banquet at which Lit. Gov. Claiming
Cox of Massachusetts, was the prin-
cipal speaker. G. w. Bailey. acting
president of the University OF Yer
mont, was the toastmaster. The ad-
dresses Of both Mr.. Cox and 1t. Gov,
Mason S. Stone of Vermont who was
the other speaker, carried with them
notes of optimism regarding tho pres
ent situation and it's outcome Both
had the utmost confidence in tho Amer
lean people and felt that they would
carry through successfully.
Mr.. Stone said that the bankers could
do no more patriotic service than in
steadying and stabilizing business dur
ing the days to come. He had conf
dence in the bankers. who more than
anybody else. had this work to do He
pointed to the other rough times, which
had followed first the Revolutionary
and thea the other wars, when the
dark days held great problems and
when Alexander Hamilton and others
stepped to the rescue. At the present
time there seemed to be no great
leader but he felt that the bankers of
America could do more than any one
great man.
Lit Gov. Cox dealt with American
ism and It's Foes and pleaded for 100
per cent Americanism. He handled his
subject in a powerful manner and in
an entirely different way than have
other speakers on the same subject.
He first told of the trials of Washing
ton and alluded to the abuse which he
endured at the close OF his administra-
ton, when there was large element
which stood ready to doubt his every mo-
tive, and read an editorial from lead
ing paper of the day, which was filled
with invectives against him. He then
told Of the prosecutors Of Lincoln and
asked IL there WAS An inclination to be
too severe on present statesmen and for
get the blessings of to-day, IN criticisine
acts which the public was incapable of
judging because 1t was not informed Of all
the circumstances.
Mr.. Cox alluded to the wonderful times
in which We five and of the scientific
discoveries which are coming to light,
but stated that human nature had not
changed and that no substitute had been
found for work. He urged that a proper
value be put on the constitution. the most
wonderful political document Of all ages.
We need to return to some Of the fun
damental principles. The constitution
| obliterated all classes and welded to-
gether the greatest social union ever
brought into existence. We heard alto
gether too much about the rights OF labor
and the rights Of capital, These are only
parties to the whole. The duty of the
people is to elect men who will do their
duty by the whole nation and not pass
legislation for any class.
The speaker was an optimist about the
nation. The people have been tested and
the new corners have caught the spirit
as was shown in the war. In Massa-
chusette when it came to the time that
Governor Coolidge had to choose between
right and wrong and chose fearlessly.
the entire people stood behind him. This
reference to Governor Coolidge brought
great applause.
1t is discouraging to see men and wom-
en- leaving their work In groups, when
the world is suffering from under pro-
duction, but Mr.. Cox believed they would
come to their senses and would tegin TO
produce. Then again would be prosperity.
He spoke of the bankers particularly as
leaders out OF this present crisis and be-
lieved that the public should be told things
and dealt with nsthe open. II the time has
come when tho bankers of the country
think that II IN time for deflation OF cur
renoy. he believed the people should be
told 80. There 10 some cause for alarm
when already In small way competition
has been entered into with Germany and
the supposedly wrecked country was
sending over toys and other goods to the
United States. Italy has already shipped
automobile parts into the.rountry to he
assembled AT a greatly r'viuced price,