Presidential addresses and state papers, Volume 4 (of 7)Roosevelt, Theodore
History
Presidential addresses and state papers, Volume 4 (of 7)
Roosevelt, Theodore
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919; United States -- Politics and government -- 1901-1909
It is impossible too strongly to insist upon what ought to be the
patent fact, that it is not only in the interest of the people of
wealth themselves, but in our interest, in the interest of the public
as a whole, that they should be treated fairly and justly; that if they
show exceptional business ability they should be given exceptional
reward for that ability. The tissues of our industrial fabric are
interwoven in such complex fashion that what strengthens or weakens
part also strengthens or weakens the whole. If we penalize industry
we will ourselves in the end have to pay a considerable part of the
penalty. If we make conditions such that the men of exceptional ability
are able to secure marked benefits by the exercise of that ability,
then we shall ourselves benefit somewhat. It is our interest no less
than our duty to treat them fairly. On the other hand, it is no less
their interest to treat us fairly—by “us” I mean the great body of
the people, the men of moderate or small fortunes, the farmers, the
wage-workers, the smaller business men and professional men. The man
of great means who achieves fortune by crooked methods does wrong to
the whole body politic. But he not merely does wrong to, he becomes a
source of imminent danger to, other men of great means; for his ill-won
success tends to arouse a feeling of resentment, which if it becomes
inflamed fails to differentiate between the men of wealth who have done
decently and the men of wealth who have not done decently.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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