The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1935-01-04
STATE Of nation
MESSAGE DETAILS
PROGRAM FOR 1885
Sights Progress Made in New
Order Of Things Under
Present Administration
SHALL HALT CASH RELIEF
Upholds Profit Motive But De.
nounces inequalities IN.
der Social System

UOunC0S uO0QudIvIleS VII
der Social System
Washington, Jan. 4.-(ReThe text
Of President Roosevelt's message to
congress Friday follows:
Mr.. President, Mr.. Speaker, men,
bers Of the senate and Of the house
Of representatives:
The constitution wisely provides
that the chief executive shall report to
the congress on the state Of the union,
for through you, the chosen legislative
representatives, our citizens every
where may fairly Judge the progress
Of our governing.
I am confident that today. in the
light Of the events Of the past two
years, you do not consider 1t merely
trite phrase when I tell you that
am truly glad to greet you and that
look forward to common counsel, to
useful cooperation, and to genuine
friendships between us.
Progress Under New Order
We have undertaken new order Of
things: yet we progress towards 1t
under the framework and In the spirit
and intent Of the American constitu-
ton. We have proceeded throughout
the nation measurable distance on
the road towards this new order. Ma
terially, I can report to you substan-
tial benefits to our agricultural pop
ulation, increased industrial activity,
and profits to our merchants. OF equal
moment, there is evident restoration
of that spirit Of confidence and faith
which marks the American charac-
ter. Let him who, for speculative
profit or partisan purpose, without
just warrant would seek to disturb or
dispel this assurance, take heed be-
fore he assumes responsibility for any
act which slows our onward steps.
Throughout the world change is the
order Of the day. In every nation
economic problems, long in the max
ing, have brought crises Of many kinds
for which the masters Of old practice
and theory were unprepared. In most
nations social justice, no longer dis
tant ideal, has become definite goal,
ana ancient governments are begin
/ ming to heed the call.
Thus, the American people do not
stand alone in the world in their de-
sire for change. We seek it through
tested liberal traditions. through pro-
cesses which retain all Of the deep
essentials Of that Republican form Of
representative government first given
to q troubled world by the United
States.
Outlines Of Change Apparent
As the various parts In the pro-
gram begun In the extraordinary
session Of the 73d congress shape
themselves in practical administra-
ton, the unity Of our program re-
veals itself to the nation. The out
lines Of the new economic order, ris-
ing from the disintegration Of the
old, are apparent. We test what we
have done as our measures take root
in the living texture Of life. We see
where we have built wisely and where
we can do still better.
The attempt to make distinction
between recovery and reform Is
narrowly conceived effort to subSti-
tute the appearance Of reality for
reality itself. When Q man Is con-
valescing from illness wisdom die
tates not only cure Of the symptoms
but also removal Of their cause.
It Is important to recognize that
while We seek to outlaw specific
abuses, the American objective Of to-
day has an infinitely deeper, finer
and more lasting purpose than mere
repression. Thinking people In al
most every country Of the world have
come to realize certain fundamental
difficulties with which civilization
must reckon. Rapid changes-the
machine age, the advent Of universal
and rapid communication and many
other new factors have brought new
problems. Succeeding generations
have attempted to keep pace by re-
forming In piecemeal fashion this
or that attendant abuse. As q re-
: suit, evils overlap and reform becomes
confused and frustrated. We lose
sight. from time to time, Of our ulti-
mate human detectives.
Upholds Profit Motive
Let US, for = moment. strip from
our simple purpose the confusion
that results from q multiplicity Of
detail and from millions Of written
and spoken words.
We find our population suffering
from old inequalities, little changed
by past sporadic remedies. In spite
Of our efforts and In spite Of our
talk, We have not weeded out the
overprivileged and we have not ef-
fectively lifted up the underprivileg-
ed. Both Of these manifestations Of
injustice have retarded happiness. No
wise man has any intention Of de-
''stroying what is known as the profit
motive: because by the profit motive
we mean the right by work to earn
. decent livelihood for ourselves and
Tor our families.
We have, however, clear mandate
from the people, that Americans must
forswear that conception Of the ac-
quisitiop Of wealth which, through
excessive profits, creates undue pri.
vate power over private affairs and,
to our misfortune, over public affairs
Is well. In building toward this end
We do not destroy ambition nor do
We seek to divide our wealth into
equal shares on stated occasions. We
continue to recognize the greater abii.
lty Of some to earn more than others.
But We do assert that the ambition
Of tho individual to. obtain for him
and his . proper security. . reason-
\eble leisure, and . decent living
throughout LIE. Is IN ambition to Be
preferred to the appetite for great
wealth and great power.
Recalls Security Objective
I recall to your attention my mes
SAGE to the congress last June In
which said-"Among our objectiyes
I place the security Of the men. wom-
On IA dchildren Of the nation first. "
That remains our first and continue
1ng task; and IN . very real sense