Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-06-25

Such development can not occur
without the creation OF inequalities
and dangers to the social fabric. |
most strenuously deny that the AmerI-
can business man or the American cit
izen cherishes lower standards than
the citizens OF any other country. The
American people are by no means de-
PRAYED. But by reason Of their busy
absorption in varied pursuits and Of
the glamour which attends success In
great undertakings. questionable
methods have been able to engraft
themselves upon the business OF the
country. Rich rewards have too fire.
quently been gained by some who are
none too scrupulous. Monopoly, dis
honesty and fraud have assumed
prominence which calls for the earn
est attention and condemnation OF
every man who truly loves the re-
public
Against all these abuses and In the
work for restoring old ideals Of hon
esty and equality, as well as for high
or standards of civic duty, one man
has stood pre-eminent, and that man
is Theodore Roosevelt. Against cor
ruption In every form he has set his
face with grim determination, prompt
and fearless in action and with that
intelligent leadership which has as
sured the establishment Of better
era In which the strong and the weak
alike must submit themselves to the
impartial execution of the law. The
story OF his achievements will make
up one of the brightest>pages In the
history Of this or any age and will
prove that to-day, as In any critical
hour OF social unrest or Of danger, the
man will appear who can grapple with
the emergency.
Who so fit to take up the tasks
which this wondrous generation de-
mands should be wisely and impair
TALLY performed as his great war sec
rotary? Since the day when, in Ben
jamin Harrison's administration, these
two first met--the one as solicitor gen.
eral, the other as member OF the
civil service commisslon-they have
been bound together by like ideals and
aims, by close ties of friendship, and
by the exchange of mutual counsel,
each with his own individuality and
characteristics keeping constantly in
view the ennobling vision of better
and greater America. Since the day
when, less than 80 years of age, Mr..
Taft denounced, with burning words,
a member of his profession who had
been guilty of lagrantly vicious prac-
tees and had demoralized the COM
munity, he has ever been associated
with the cause of true reform-with
that reform which will not content it.
self with academic dissertation or hol-
low words. He has been imbued with
the spirit of action. His advocacy of
sounder conditions has never arisen
from a desire for the exploitation of
himself
No one has ever yet assumed the
presidential chair who had received a
more ideal preparation for the duties
of that great office. AS Judge in state
and federal courts, as solicitor general,
as governor of the Philippines, as sec
rotary of war, which has included the
work of colonial secretary and direc-
tor Of national public works, he has re-
ceived his training and has always
shown himself master Of the situation
and competent TO make more honor
able and beloved the American name.
There have been no years Of tnaction
In his career. He has been continu-
ously engaged in weighty tasks and
each successive service has been char
acterized by an increasing influence
upon most vital questions.
In our domestic affairs, in whatever
position he has held, he has displayed
the rare union of a judicial tempera-
ment with an unsurpassed gift for ad'
ministrative management. Although |
of an aggressive personality, he pos
sesses an infinite good nature, charm
of manner and a poise which have
made him a model for exalted station.
In the final analysis even the high
est officials must be judged as men,
and under this criterion Secretary
Taft is now and will ever be known
for his broad sympathies with every
grade Of humanity and as one In
variably actuated by that democratic
spirit which should characterize a
progressive American. And yet no
one can for a moment hesitate to
recognize his severity in dealing with
wrong-doing. While mo honest enter
prise need fear him, no dishonest
scheme could hope to hide its face
from the light or to escape punish
ment.
More than any other Of our public
men he has had to do with our out
lying dependencies and colonial rela.
lions. 1t was he who took in charge
the prosecution Of that colossal enter
prise on the isthmus, the canal unit
ing the lesser and the greater ocans,
and under his directing hand the com
pletion Of this most stupendous of |
public works is no longer vague and
defiant homo hiif an Imminent reality |