The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-08-27
Secretary Taft Pays Glowing
Tribute TO the President
He is ANXIOUS TO AVOID WAR
Says He Represents as High Type as
There Is In the Country of
Energetic American
Manhood

Montpelier, Vt. August 2s.-secretary
of War William II. Taft was the princi-
pal speaker at the opening of the repub-
lican campaign in this state today.
Secretary Taft briefly reviewed the
issues and history of the parties and dis
cussed the platforms OF both parties.
In review Of the administration OF
President Roosevelt to which the greater
| portion of the speech wa devoted, Sec
retary Taft euogized the President high
! ly. saying.
Unable really to attack the record OF
the republican party, unable really to
take any ground which makes a combat
able issue with the republicans on the
main questions the democrats now seek
| to attack the President and to charge
him with violations of the constitution;
with head~strong disposition to rule
| or ruin; with tendency to involve the
country In foreign wars: with being. in
other wards, an unsafe man. In my ex-
| perinece l never have met a man In au-
thorty who has less pride Of opinion in
the judgments that he has formed In re-
spect to situations presented to him for
action, than has Theodore Roosevelt 1
| have never met a man who was so amen
able to reason; so anxious to reach Just
conclusion, and so willing to sacrifice a
previously formed opinion as the present
President of the United States.
Weighs Every Argument.
'He weighs every argument which is
brought before him. and If by reason Of
the limpid character of his nature. which
| leads him to speak as he thinks, he gives
instant expression to an opinion which
subsequent facts show him to be errone
Gus, he changes, only man can
change who is an, earnest seeker for the
truth, with the sincerest desire to do
right lie Is not a tyrant but he IS a
leader He does believe In a strenuous
| life. He does believe IN doing things
He bellAes that a man who Is given
brain AID musclc5i's esarged with tie
responsibility Of making the most OF them.
and OF doing as much with both as nos
sible for his fellow men. He represents
as high type as there Is In the coun-
try Of energetic American manhood. He
sympathizes with the laborer and the man
of wealth both, when they love the eoun-
try whose protection and security of life.
liberty and property they enjoy
Anxious to Avoid War.
NO man ever sat In the presidential
chair more anxious to avoid war or cor
fiict with foreign nations than he His
impusiyeness of manner, and his quick
ness of thought and speech, co-exlst with
real conservatism of action that makes
1t as certain as 1t was under Mr. Nc
Kinley that no policy Will be followed
needlessly exposing the interests of the
country to the peril of war. All, but 1t Is
said wait until he has free hand after
the election. then you Will Sc him In his
true llghtP 1t Is difficult to answer such
sratuitious sugs estion, founded as 1t
must be on the assumption that man
like Theodore Roosevelt, whose candor
and honesty are so patent that he almost
thinks aloud, has been playing part for
three years, and is only waiting the suc-
cess Of the election to throw Off the
mask. 1t Is too ridiculous for discuss
sion.
But now what specific things is Mr.,
Roosevelt accused of. First II is charged
that he Influences Legislation and trans-
crosses the line which under our consti-
tutional system should exist between the
executive and the legislative branches.
That 1t is unconstitutional for the Pres
ident to confer with the members of the
house and senate and to seek to Influence
them with respect to legislation, Is a
new doctrine to this republic In the
first place the constitution gives him tho
express power and right TO communicates
with congress in giving his Views with
respect to legislation.
I'm the second place he is made a
co-ordinating factor In the legisiativa
branch OF the government for he has the
power to veto any act passed by both
houses and It cannot become law un-
less It Is repassed by both houses by q
two-thirds vote in each house.
Weakness OF the Position.
Now, then, Is IL possible that in con-
versatlon with members OF each house he
may not repeat the recommendation made
In his communication to the house in
trrrtf ftper e., vita ~ fhair lot,
siblity for legislation. he may not advice
with them at any time, and convince
them, II he may, of the wisdom OF un-
wisdom Of the proposed legislation? Crit
icism founded upon such a proposition Is
evidence Of the weakness OF the position
of our adyersares.
This brings me TO the criticism OF
the President that he has departed from
his former high ideals in the matter of
politics No charge Is more unfounded
than this He is as much In favor OF
clean methods, he Is much opposed to
the spolls system, he believes In honesty
and efficiency In the administration of
government and In the enforcement of the
civil service law as completely as he ever
did or ever proposed TO do. He is doing
everything In his power to maintain his
Ideals Were he to take a course marked
out as the proper one in such criticism
and ostracse far as conference with
him Is concerned, the members of his
party whom the mugwumps do not ap-
prove, he would divide his party, tie his
hands and destroy utterly his power for
usefulness 10 the country"
Discusses Pension Service Order.
Mr. Taft briefly discussed the recent
service pension order, and the Panama
case. defending the President frora tho
charges Of usurpation of power and abuse
OF the constitution Taking up the ac-
ton Of President Roosevelt In appointing
the coal strike arbitration board. he said:
Nothing has commended him more to
the people of the United States than his
action in this matter, and TO make 1t the
basise for an attack upon him only shows
how ridiculously short of material his
enemies are. VIII Judge Parker say he
was not right in what he did2 Would
Judge Parker have done the same thing?
think not. | think not because l think
he has shown himself so timd In meeting
issues that we may infer he would have
sheltered himself behind the plea that
as he had constitutional power as
Continued on Second Pane.l