La Junta tribune., 1908-10-03
Chsrehsss VIE Ksew Jsdgs Taft
Reader Him This Siacsrs
Tribsts.
me Attitude Of the Republican Cam
didats Towards Religion and .
Lifs which Shows Adhsf-
sncs to the Best Ethics
and Morals.

because he is the highest type OF
thA Christian gentleman
This II the way In which heard the
pastor Of Methodist church In south
ern Illinois end an argument with
iayman on the train coming to Oincin-
natl from St. Louis. writes a stan cor
respondent OF the st. Louis Globe
Democrat The iayman. paying due
inspect to the cloth Of his op-
ponent. was trying to convince him
that he should not support Mr..
Taft for the presidency. and instead
should vote for his Democratic oppo-
nAnt. The chnrchman defended the
principles Of the Republican party. and.
a Indicated. defended the man for
whom he said he expected to vote, from
his personal standpoint OF n churchman.
because he IL the highest type Of a
Christian gentleman"
Bishop J. C. Hartzeli of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church. discussing the
religious beliefs OF Bryan and Taft,
after calling on the latter. said:
(which OF these men shall vote for
win not be decided by their religious
beliefs. but what they arc as men. and
oy the principles and policies they stand
for In the administration of the gov
eminent. I believe that In acting upon
this view. as an American citizen. I am
In harmony with the spirit and purpose
OF the founders Of our republic. who
put into the constitution that there
should be no religious test MS to quail
dcations to any Office or public trus,
under the United States My convIc-
tlon In that the future safety Of the
nation depends very largely upon our
people needing that constitutional pro
hibition. Our nation owes much In
moral character. statesmanship. litera-
tnre. art and religion to those who
have not been in strict harmony with
some Of the dogmns Of the church. The
days OF the inIulsItion are past"
Remembering that Mrs. Taft Is n
Presbyterian. but that Miss Helen Taft
was confirmed In the Episcopal Church
In Washington last winter Mt the same
time that Miss Ethel Roosevelt. daugb
ter Of the President. was confirmed.
wondered as to Mr.. Taft's church asso
ciation. When I made the inquiry here
I was answered through the columns
of the Northwestern Christian Advo
cate, the great Methodist publication
1ust as II had given answer to hundreds
Of inquiries from Its Methodist subscrib-
ef8. II said: -
Maa Of Broad sympathies.
"Afrs. Taft and children arc Eplsco
paiians. and the Secretary frequently
accompanies them to st. Johns Church,
where. also. he has pew. While Mr.
Roosevelt goes to the German Reform.
I'd Church. his wife and family. who
ne EpiscopaIians. attend historic st
Johns Church. where they sit only 0nt
or two pews removed from Mrs. Taft
and her children. Secretary Taf,
spends his vacation at Murray Bay.
Canada. where there is Union Church.
attended by the summer colonists Of all
denominations The Secretary Of War
Il one of the trustees of this summer
colony church, where people Of many
faiths gather for worship"
This Methodist testimony indicated
to me the broad and liberal view OF
Mr.. Taft In religious matters In look
ing through the file Of this same pub
lication-the Western Christian Advo
cate-I found discussion Of both nom
inees. In the course Of which 1t was
asserted:
"The sympathIes OF both Mr. Taft
and Mr.. Bryan are very broad. and they
worship easily and naturally with any
Christian denomination. Whichever
man Is elected. the country win have.
therefore, . President Of clean life.
lofty principles and Christian convic-
dons."
0pinisa ss Nsgrs Clergyman.
On the same afternoon. when Bishop
Hartxeil called. Rev. James q. Robin
son, pastor OF the Eaker Street African
Methodist Church Of Dayton. Ohio.
called at the headquarters in company
With w. H. Jones, one Of the leading
colorsd lawyers OF the same city. Mr..
Zones was proud Of the fact that he ia
president Of the Coiored Taft Club. the
drst one to be Incorporated In the Uni
ted States. and Rev. Mr.. Robinssa ad-
mitted that he II president Of the
Roard OF Directors OF the same club
~ he left Mr.. Tnft's o6ice asked him
for his view OF the candidate. both from
Ais standpoint a. churchman and N
Gleader OF his race.
II osllevs." be said. Judge Taft will
- elected by q safe and comfortable
sm3ority. mot simply because he b
Republican, nor am speaking because
am = Republican. But Judgs Taft
represents all OF the ideals cf the true
Christian statesman."
A. to the attitude Of his own race,
Rev. Mr.. Roblnson said: I'VE can mot
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