| This
Administration has come into power with a very clear and definite
mandate from the people. The expression of the popular will in favor of
maintaining our constitutional guarantees was overwhelming and decisive.
There was a manifestation of such faith in the integrity of the courts
that we can consider that issue rejected for some time to come.
Likewise, the policy of public ownership of railroads and certain
electric utilities met with unmistakable defeat. The people declared
that they wanted their rights to have not a political but a judicial
determination, and their independence and freedom continued and
supported by having the ownership and control of their property, not in
the Government, but in their own hands. As they always do when they have
a fair chance, the people demonstrated that they are sound and are
determined to have a sound government. | 13 |
| When we turn from what was rejected to inquire what was
accepted, the policy that stands out with the greatest clearness is that
of economy in public expenditure with reduction and reform of taxation.
The principle involved in this effort is that of conservation. The
resources of this country are almost beyond computation. No mind can
comprehend them. But the cost of our combined governments is likewise
almost beyond definition. Not only those who are now making their tax
returns, but those who meet the enhanced cost of existence in their
monthly bills, know by hard experience what this great burden is and
what it does. No matter what others may want, these people want a
drastic economy. They are opposed to waste. They know that extravagance
lengthens the hours and diminishes the rewards of their labor. I favor
the policy of economy, not because I wish to save money, but because I
wish to save people. The men and women of this country who toil are the
ones who bear the cost of the Government. Every dollar that we
carelessly waste means that their life will be so much the more meager.
Every dollar that we prudently save means that their life will be so
much the more abundant. Economy is idealism in its most practical form. | 14 |
| If extravagance were not reflected in taxation, and through
taxation both directly and indirectly injuriously affecting the people,
it would not be of so much consequence. The wisest and soundest method
of solving our tax problem is through economy. Fortunately, of all the
great nations this country is best in a position to adopt that simple
remedy. We do not any longer need wartime revenues. The collection of
any taxes which are not absolutely required, which do not beyond
reasonable doubt contribute to the public welfare, is only a species of
legalized larceny. Under this republic the rewards of industry belong to
those who earn them. The only constitutional tax is the tax which
ministers to public necessity. The property of the country belongs to
the people of the country. Their title is absolute. They do not support
any privileged class; they do not need to maintain great military
forces; they ought not to be burdened with a great array of public
employees. They are not required to make any contribution to Government
expenditures except that which they voluntarily assess upon themselves
through the action of their own representatives. Whenever taxes become
burdensome a remedy can be applied by the people; but if they do not act
for themselves, no one can be very successful in acting for them. | 15 |
| The time is arriving when we can have further tax reduction,
when, unless we wish to hamper the people in their right to earn a
living, we must have tax reform. The method of raising revenue ought not
to impede the transaction of business; it ought to encourage it. I am
opposed to extremely high rates, because they produce little or no
revenue, because they are bad for the country, and, finally, because
they are wrong. We can not finance the country, we can not improve
social conditions, through any system of injustice, even if we attempt
to inflict it upon the rich. Those who suffer the most harm will be the
poor. This country believes in prosperity. It is absurd to suppose that
it is envious of those who are already prosperous. The wise and correct
course to follow in taxation and all other economic legislation is not
to destroy those who have already secured success but to create
conditions under which every one will have a better chance to be
successful. The verdict of the country has been given on this question.
That verdict stands. We shall do well to heed it. | 16 |
| These questions involve moral issues. We need not concern
ourselves much about the rights of property if we will faithfully
observe the rights of persons. Under our institutions their rights are
supreme. It is not property but the right to hold property, both great
and small, which our Constitution guarantees. All owners of property are
charged with a service. These rights and duties have been revealed,
through the conscience of society, to have a divine sanction. The very
stability of our society rests upon production and conservation. For
individuals or for governments to waste and squander their resources is
to deny these rights and disregard these obligations. The result of
economic dissipation to a nation is always moral decay. | 17 |
| These policies of better international understandings, greater
economy, and lower taxes have contributed largely to peaceful and
prosperous industrial relations. Under the helpful influences of
restrictive immigration and a protective tariff, employment is
plentiful, the rate of pay is high, and wage earners are in a state of
contentment seldom before seen. Our transportation systems have been
gradually recovering and have been able to meet all the requirements of
the service. Agriculture has been very slow in reviving, but the price
of cereals at last indicates that the day of its deliverance is at hand. | 18 |
| We are not without our problems, but our most important
problem is not to secure new advantages but to maintain those which we
already possess. Our system of government made up of three separate and
independent departments, our divided sovereignty composed of Nation and
State, the matchless wisdom that is enshrined in our Constitution, all
these need constant effort and tireless vigilance for their protection
and support. | 19 |
| In a republic the first rule for the guidance of the citizen
is obedience to law. Under a despotism the law may be imposed upon the
subject. He has no voice in its making, no influence in its
administration, it does not represent him. Under a free government the
citizen makes his own laws, chooses his own administrators, which do
represent him. Those who want their rights respected under the
Constitution and the law ought to set the example themselves of
observing the Constitution and the law. While there may be those of high
intelligence who violate the law at times, the barbarian and the
defective always violate it. Those who disregard the rules of society
are not exhibiting a superior intelligence, are not promoting freedom
and independence, are not following the path of civilization, but are
displaying the traits of ignorance, of servitude, of savagery, and
treading the way that leads back to the jungle. | 20 |
| The essence of a republic is representative government. Our
Congress represents the people and the States. In all legislative
affairs it is the natural collaborator with the President. In spite of
all the criticism which often falls to its lot, I do not hesitate to say
that there is no more independent and effective legislative body in the
world. It is, and should be, jealous of its prerogative. I welcome its
cooperation, and expect to share with it not only the responsibility,
but the credit, for our common effort to secure beneficial legislation. | 21 |
| These are some of the principles which America represents. We
have not by any means put them fully into practice, but we have strongly
signified our belief in them. The encouraging feature of our country is
not that it has reached its destination, but that it has overwhelmingly
expressed its determination to proceed in the right direction. It is
true that we could, with profit, be less sectional and more national in
our thought. It would be well if we could replace much that is only a
false and ignorant prejudice with a true and enlightened pride of race.
But the last election showed that appeals to class and nationality had
little effect. We were all found loyal to a common citizenship. The
fundamental precept of liberty is toleration. We can not permit any
inquisition either within or without the law or apply any religious test
to the holding of office. The mind of America must be forever free. | 22 |
| It is in such contemplations, my fellow countrymen, which are
not exhaustive but only representative, that I find ample warrant for
satisfaction and encouragement. We should not let the much that is to do
obscure the much which has been done. The past and present show faith
and hope and courage fully justified. Here stands our country, an
example of tranquillity at home, a patron of tranquillity abroad. Here
stands its Government, aware of its might but obedient to its
conscience. Here it will continue to stand, seeking peace and
prosperity, solicitous for the welfare of the wage earner, promoting
enterprise, developing waterways and natural resources, attentive to the
intuitive counsel of womanhood, encouraging education, desiring the
advancement of religion, supporting the cause of justice and honor among
the nations. America seeks no earthly empire built on blood and force.
No ambition, no temptation, lures her to thought of foreign dominions.
The legions which she sends forth are armed, not with the sword, but
with the cross. The higher state to which she seeks the allegiance of
all mankind is not of human, but of divine origin. She cherishes no
purpose save to merit the favor of Almighty God. | 23 |