The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-08-26
DEFENDS ROOSEVELT.
Secretary Taft Declares President Is
Not Dangerous.

Montpelier, VT, Aug. 26.-Secretary
of War Taft addressed a Republican
rally in armory hall mere this after
noon- The secretary was accorded an
enthusiastic reception.
Secretary Taft briefly reviewed the
issues and history of the parties and
discussed the platforms of both parties.
In a review of the administration of
President Roosevelt to which the
greater portion of the speech was de-
voted Secretary Taft eulogized the
president highly saying:
Unable really to attack the record of
the Republican party. unable really to
take any ground which makes a COM
batable issue with the Republicans on
the main question, the Democrats now
seek TO attack the president and to
charge him with violations of the con-
stitution, with a headstrong disposition
TO rule or ruin; with tendency to in
VolVe the country in foreign wars; with
being, in otner words, an unsafe man.
In all my experience never have met
man in authority who has less pride
of opinion in the judgments that he has
formed in respect to situations present
ed to him for action than has Theodore
Roosevelt 1 have never met a man
who was SO amenable to reason, so
anxious to reach a just conclusion and
so willing to sacrifice a previously
formed opinion as the present president
of the United States. He weighs every
argument which is brought before him
and if by reason of the limpid character
as he thinks, he gives instant express
sion to an opinion which subsequent
facts show MIN to be erroneous he
changes as only man can change,
who is an earnest seeker for truth,
with the sincerest desire to do right.
He is not tyrant but he is a lead
er. He does believe in a strenuous life.
He does believe in doing things. He
believes that a man who is given brain
and muscle is charged with the re-
sponsloility of making the most of them
and of doing as much with both as pos
sible for his fellow men. He represents
as nigh type as there is in the country
of energetic manhood.
NO man ever sat in the presidential
chair more anxious to avoid war or con-
fi1ct with foreign nations than he. His
1mpulS1VeneSS of manner and QuickneSS
of thought and speech coexist with a
real conservatism of action that makes
II as certain as it was under Mr.. Nc
ktnley that no policy will be followed
needlessly exposing, the interests of the
country to the peril of war. All, it is
said wait until he has a free hand af-
ter the election then you will see him
in his true light 1t is difficult to an
Swer such gratuitouS suggestion,
founded as 1t must be on the aSSump
tion that a man like Theodore RooSe-
welt whose candor and honesty are so
patent that he almost thinks aloud, has
been playing part for three years and
is only waiting the success at election
to throw off the mask 1t is too ridicu-
lous for discussion
But now what specific things is Mr..
Roosevelt accused of? First, it IS
charged that he influences legislation
and transgresses the line which under
our constitutional system should exist
between the legislative and executive
branches That it is unconStitu utional
for the president to confer with the
members of the house and senate and
seek to influence them with respect to