The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-02-13
Says Big Problem - Relation
Of National, State, Local
Governments

Washington, Feb. 13.-F-Presi-
dent Hoover declared In q Lincoln
Gay address Thursday night that the
dominant problem In the American
form Of government today revolves
about the relationship Of federal,
state and local governments. II
!, Speaking over the radio from the
white mouse study, fraught with
memories OF the Civil war president
because 1t was there he worked. Pres
ident Hoover warned that increased
federal powers can lead but to the
~superstate where every man becomes
the servant Of the state and real H.
berty Is lost"
Such . state, he said, was not the
kind Of government Abraham Lincoln
sought to build.
There Is an entirely different
avenue by which we may both resist
this drift to centralized government
end at the same time meet q multi
tude Of problems" he said. "That IL
to strengthen in the nation q sense
and an organization Of self-help and
cooperation to solve as many prob
lems a. possible outside Of govern
meut."
Tests American People
The situation arising out OF the
present economic depression was
viewed BY the president as . test Of
the American peoples ability to solve
great problems outside Of govern
ment action.
1.-THE degree Of moral strength with
which we emerge from this period"
he said, will be determined by
whether individuals and local COM
munides continue to meet their re-
sponsibilities."
The country can take courage and
pride In the. manner In which organ
izations for relief and for the provi-
sion Of employment have sprung up
over the nation, he said adding:
"Never before in q great depression
has there been 50 systematic q pro-
lection against distress; never before
has there been so little social disor-
der; never before has there been such
ar outpourtng Of the spirit OF self
sacrifice and Of service"
President Hoover said the "iuvisfr
bic presence" of Lincoln dominated
the walls OF the room from which he
spoke.
From the windows Of the study, he
said. Lincoln watched the construc-
ton OF tho Washington monument.
and even the very chairs In which he
sat while mediating upon his pro-
b.ems, were grouped about the room.
Lincoln, President Hoover said,
was Q builder In an epoch Of destruc-
ton. It was his assignment by provi-
dence to restore the national edifice
20 badly shattered in its social and
economic structure that It had well
night failed.
Had Same Problems
He added that some OF the present
day problems were equally vivid in
Lincoln's day.
"You win find Lincoln addressing
the country In strong and urgent sup
port Of the protective tariff with
vivid defamation against the party
opposing that policy. You will find
him advocating federal government
aid In internal development Of wa
terways, rivers and harbors, and
transportation. You will find him
pounding at the public mind against
notification on and for adherence
to constitutional processes Of govern
ment.
mo stronger statement has ever
been made than that Of Lincoln upon
obedience to law as the very founda-
ton Of our republic"
In closing, President Hoover touch
ed again on the business depression,
declaring that victory over this de-
preston and over our other difficult
ttes. will be won by the resolution Of
our people to fight their own battles
in their own communities, by stimu-
lating their ingenuity to solve their
own problems. by taking new cour-
age to Be masters Of their own des-
TIMES In the struggle Of life. This is
not the easy way, but It Is the Amer
lean way. And It was Lincoln's way"
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