The dangers that confront a free people when monopoly obtains a stronghold have been freely discussed during the past few years, and wise restrictions have been placed among our laws. At this very moment the rates and methods of express companies are being considered by the Interstate Commerce Commission, and from them we may expect the same fair-minded decision as recently shown in railroad matters. The laws are on our books. It is for us to urge, argue, even threaten that they be obeyed, but the appeal of the proponents of the parcels post bill that we punish the express companies by starting a government monopoly in opposition has about the same force to me as an invitation to jump from the frying-pan into the fire. The power is always ours to regulate by law, and the law is already ours. One-half of the same energy in letters, telegrams and petitions asking and insisting on the immediate action of the law, as has been shown in the propaganda for the novelty of the parcels post, would have produced results long ago. If this association, if the various boards of trade, or chambers of commerce, should manfully and persistently follow this line of action, results would follow, and thus avoid the dangerous expedient of increasing the already formidable list of government officials.
Passing from the consideration of these elusive and mendacious appeals by self-seeking interests, I ask your attention to what in my judgment are positive objections to the parcels post, objections that are not based wholly on dollars and cents, but on the broader principles of humanity that are above the fleeting tribulations of our little hour, and whose laws of action create or destroy states or nations as they are applied wisely or unfortunately.
John Stuart Mill, one of the strongest reasoners in political economy, stated in an incisive sentence that “The community that contains the greatest diversity of industries will always be the most prosperous and intelligent.” It would seem as if his vision were prophetic of our loved New England, where towns and villages contain within their borders the farmer, the manufacturer, the merchant, the teacher, living in useful harmony, and by their diversity of thought and action producing men equipped to accomplish the destiny of this wonderful land. Such environment, such healthy conditions, produce the character of Americans that the country needs, and the practical benefit from the New Englander reared in such communities is impressed upon all sections of this great land. It is to wither and destroy these safeguards of national security that the proponents of the parcels post intend. In their infinite wisdom they would sweep the village aside in their zeal for the mail order octopus and the magazine advertisements. A great city whose water supply is polluted is in serious danger; a great community that stems or hinders the growth and influx of healthful men is short-sighted, and decay will follow. Totally aside from personal gain, I believe we should steadfastly oppose any attempt, open or concealed, to sap the vitality of the New England town. Boston exists because of New England, and Boston should protect its own.