The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-23
BANQUET TO TAFT.
Former Attorney General Harmon
 the Chief Speaker,

Former Attorney General Harmon
 the Chief Speaker.
 Cincinnati, Feb. 2z.--Secretary of War w. H. Taft has been thesguest of honor of his brother, Hon. Charles P. Taft, proprietor of The Times Star. since he attended the Hanna funeral at Cleveland last Friday. During that time he has been the guest of honor at a series of receptions including social functions at the residence of Charles P. Taft, and public reception at the Loyal Legion State headquarters this afternoon.
 ' The closing event before Secretary Taft returns to Washington tomorrow was Q complimentary dinner tonight at the St. Nicholas Hotel, at which 260 plates were turned. The floral and general appoint ments were very elaborate. All the occa- sions were non-partisan, especially the ward Colston, a one-armed Confederate and leading Democratic attorney, was toastrnaster, and the leading address was by Judge Judson Harmon; attorney gem eral in the Cleveland administration.
 Mir. Harmon Speaks.
 Ex-Attorney General Harmon, in re- spending to the toast "The Guest" coms plimented Governor Taft upon the manneP in which he had performed his duty aa Governor of the Philippines. saying he was entitled to the gratitude of his coun- trymen. He then said:
 ''While the country Is committed to a course especially one which puts the well fare of another people in it's charge. It's honor is involved whether that course be one 1t should have taken or one 1t should have avoided.
 'Tn fact, if our republic ought never to have taken the first step, It Is the more important that the obligations as- sumed be faithfully fulfilled. One who becomes 8 trustee through his own fault is justly held the more strictly account. able. So 1t is both sensible and patriotic in those who disapprove our holding thd Philippines in subjection to wish the con sequences. both to the people of these is- lands and to our own, to be tho best that can be made so long as the relations last It would not mend the original wrong tc make it worse by aggravation in perform ance; nor can the mitigation of result evei justify 1t. Our country must do witt credit whatever she engages in until thu sober final judgment of the people shal interpose to stop 1t. The sooner there ii trial which all must consider fair thu prompter will be the decision.'
 While Secretary Taft referred to thu complimentary references of all who pre- ceded him, he gave special attention tS the remarks of Judge Harmon. WheI Harmon resigned as superior Judge her' sixteen years ago. Secretary Taft wal appointed by Governor Foraker to thu vacancy, and afterward by President liar rison as judge of the United States Cir cult Court of Appeals. He reviewed thu political associations of over a decade 1T those capacities with the speakers whC had preceded him and the Cincinnati at torneys who were so largely represented on this occasion. Judge Harmon being ar ultra anti-expansionist. he showed how life long personal friends honestly difrel on matters of public policy.
 He maintained that this country wal conscientiously looking at the welfare o the people in the Philippines. He review ed what had been done and with a con tinuation of the same policy predicted 6 great future not only for the archipelago but also for this country in the trade re- lations that are yet in infancy. He ex' pressed regret at leaving the Philippine: at this interesting state of their devel- opment. but felt with his experience there he could now be of service to those islands in the War Department.