APRIL 25, 1934

Lexington, Massachusetts, is still proud of a battle once fought there against the British troops. The date was April 19, 1775.

The other day, townspeople of Lexington awoke to a new call. It was an alarm against enroachment [sic] upon their principles of democracy.

On the anniversary of their early battle they signed a petition reaffirming their belief in the principles of democracy.

Their petition took the form of a protest, sent to Washington, against federal interference in business under the guise of business recovery and social reform.

The question is one that will ever come up for discussion as time goes on. The essence of the argument is, not whether government will run business. Nor is it whether business should run the government. It is still another, and greater, problem.

It is rather the protection, safeguarding, and welfare of the whole people, not labor alone, nor capital. Slowly are we coming to see that the prosperity of each omen in the contract . . . capital, labor, and the public . . . is not independent of any one element, if we are to enjoy freedom in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.