The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1908-10-17
RELIGIOUS; FIGHT
ON . TAFT A FAILURE
Desperate Attempt by Opposition
to Stir Up Prejudice Proves
Boomerang.
Clergymen of All Denominations
Rush to the Defense of Judge
Taft and His Attitude
Toward Religion.

The effort to arouse prejudice against
William ii. Taft because of his relig-
ious belief has, in the opinion of the
campaign managers not only proved q
failure, but has had salutary effect,
for many clergymen of prominence have
hastened TO express their confidence In
the high religious standing of the Re-
publican candidate. The attack on re-
igious grounds began long before the
candidate was nominated, when friends
Of one of the allies sought to spread
the report that Mrs. Taft was Cath
Ollie. The story was widely told, but 1t
never gained much credence 1t was
too well known that Mrs. Taft was an
Epscopalian and Il regular attendant
at st. Johns Church in Washington,
where only year ago her daughter,
Miss Helen, was confirmed in that
faith
After the nomination the attack was
renewed from wholly different quar-
ter and was based on the ground that
Mr.. Taft was a Unitarian. When this
| report was brought to the attention Of
| Mr.. Taft. who has been conspicuous for
| his breadth of view in religious mat
| Iers and the assistance which he has
| rendered on every opportunity to Chris
tian ministers and missionaries of ev-
| cry denomination, he became indignant
and refused to defend his creed.
This method of attack has proved q
| boomerang, and many Christian minis
| tiers. indignant at the character of the
| articles and editorials published on the
| subject, have FASTENED to testify to
their full confidence in the high char
acter and deep religious conviction Of
the Republican candidate.
Praise from Bishop Fallows.
One of the most notable declarations
| of this character was that OF Bishop
Samuel Fallows of the Reformed Epis-
copal Church of Chicago, who declared
| from the rostrum at Toledo his high
| opinion Of Mr.. Taft, saying in part
He is easily master among all the
masterful men who are to-day controli-
| ing the governments of the earth. He
is deeply religious, without trace OF
bigotry, fearing God and working right
eousness as did the two Adamses and
Abraham Lincoln. He is equally the
friend Of capital and labor. as every
President should be. l can aver with.
out fear of successful contradiction that
no man ever came before the American
people for the highest honor in their
| gift, the proudest political position
known to man, so thoroughly prepared
to meet its weighty responsibilities az
| 10 H1
broad in the brow and broad in the
| heart"
Like testimonials have come from
| many other prominent clergymen, tes-
| timonials, which might, perhaps, in
many instances. never have been volun-
teered but for the attacks to which the
| candidate has been subjected from GER
tain quarters, and on grounds concern.
ing which clergymen are most compsr
tent to speak.
| The Rev. DR.. shorts Tribute.
In a recent public address the most
Rev. John Ireland, Catholic Archbishop
of st. Paul, took occasion to pay high
tribute to Mr.. Taft's high character and
pre- eminent fitness for the great office
| lDE WHICH Is IL anu OUIy
today the Rev. DR.. Francis Burgetts
Short, a leading Methodist clergyman
of Salt Lake City, paid tribute to MP.
| Taft in these words
Judge Taft surely occupies a con-
spcuous place in both the ethical and
religious world. He is eminently fitted,
both in character and practice, to occu.
py the highest Office in our land. His
efforts to raise n high standard OF life
at home, his interest in and solicitude
Cor the nations across the sea mark
him as man Of sane religious visions
and desire. Such man this nation
needs and requires at its head, If We
continue to hold the undivided admira.
tion of those at home and those abroad.
Such man we must have if we would
make history that is gloriously humane.
| No place here for the visionary, but
large and fitting place for a prophet,
and for one whose genius and expert
ehce and heart have directed difficult
| tasks to most successful elimination.
Our President must be a master in the
art of statecraft. He must be able at
times to stand like Gibraltar and yee
he must have heart as human as q
babe.
"Such a man. and much more, is that
scholar and genius and statesman and
patriotic citizen, William Howard Taft
He surely merits the support Of all
high minded citizens, for we recognize
| that he has given his entire influence
| toward the better development of q
higher Christian civilization both at
home and abroad"