98 Presidential Addresses 



essary steps for securing a proper share to our peo 

 ple of this commercial future. The possession of 

 the Philippines has helped us, as the securing* of 

 the open door in China has helped us. Already the 

 government has taken the necessary steps to provide 

 for the laying of a Pacific cable under conditions 

 which safeguard absolutely the interests of the 

 American public. Our commerce with the East is 

 growing rapidly. Events have abundantly justi 

 fied, alike from the moral and material standpoint, 

 all that we have done in the Far East as a sequel 

 to our war with Spain. 



AT PROVIDENCE, R. L, AUGUST 23, 1902 



Mr. Governor, and you, my Fellow-citizens: 



We are passing through a period of great com 

 mercial prosperity, and such a period is as sure as 

 adversity itself to bring mutterings of discontent. 

 At a time when most men prosper somewhat some 

 men always prosper greatly; and it is as true now 

 as when the tower of Siloam fell upon all alike, 

 that good fortune does not come solely to the just, 

 nor bad fortune solely to the unjust. When the 

 weather is good for crops it is good for weeds. 

 Moreover, not only do the wicked flourish when the 

 times are such that most men flourish, but, what 

 is worse, the spirit of envy and jealousy springs up 

 in the breasts of those who, though they may be 

 doing fairly well themselves, see others no more 

 deserving who do better. 



