Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-06-30
WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT, FROM HIS LATEST PICTURE.

Thus In 1900 William II. Taft be-
came IN international figure Speak
ing almost literally. the eyes of the
world were upon him. II devolved up
on him to administer the affairs Of
turbulent archipelago but lately re.
leased from centuries Of despotic mis-
rule aud still struggling violently
against the manifest destiny Of Amer
lean guardianship. No other American
statesman ever was called upon to
undertake like task. How well
Judge Taft fulfilled his mission is In
dicated by the present situation in the
Islands. After bringing about SEM
Dlance of civic organization Taft was
appointed civil governor Of the Phil
Npines. He remained four years In
the islands. When anally he returned
to the United States to become secre-
tary Of war in the Roosevelt cabinet
he had nodded form ont Of chaos and
had given the Filipinos Il running start
toward ultimate self government Of
the most approved American brand.
Before departing Cor the philippines
Judge Taft had said at dinner that
his sincere purpose was to help the peo-
ple of those islands When he was gov
ernor of the archipelago some Ameri-
can residents complained Of certain
rulings made by him. Taft replied:
"These islands are being governed
for the benefit Of the natives. If you
don't like the government you can get
out"
And he said 1t firmly, though. OF
course. good naturedly. An III natured
remark from Taft Is thing altogether
unknown. 1t is not of record that the
big Ohioan ever got angry save upon
that one memorable occasion when as
young lawyer he thrashed fellow
who had libeled Taft's father. Even
then Taft took his own time about get
ting good and mad.
The little Filipinos were awed by the
immense size of the American who
had been sent to guide them into the
paths of progress. At first they held
aloof. Presently they began to come
closer. There was something In the
Taft smile irresistibly attractive. This
big American was by no means so
fierce as his size suggested. He was In
fact docile and affable, friendly sort
Of fellow, who seemed to want to help
folks along. Moreover. he had no ex'
aggerated sense of his own Importance.
He wore no uniform, no gold lace. no
badges of distinction. White fannels
or duck sufficed for Governor Tafts
garb. with a cap or straw hat to COW
or his expansive head. He went around
among the natives just like an old
friend, studying their needs, informing
himself as to their history, so that he
might the better appreciate their point
of view, and always passing upon mat
tiers of administration in the spirit OF
the jurist on the bench who weighs
carefully both sides Of case before
delivering his opinion.
The result of the Taft methods and
the Taft manners was that the Filipt
nos came to love the large and liberal
American who was sent to rule over
t.Iem. They called him saint" Taft
and when he departed for the United
States they were not to be comforted
Governor Taft had remained long
enough to prove to the islanders thai
the United States has no intention tc
exploit them or their resources for tn,
benefit of anybody other than them
selves. He had made good his express
ed desire to do something to help the