The Monte Vista journal., 1908-02-15
GLOWING EULoGY OF THE PREsL
DENT DELIVERED At,
KANSAS CITY. ;.
IMMENSE GATHERING
DECLARES THAT PRESIDENT
LEADS HIS PARTY AS
LINCOLN DID.

Kansas City.-William H. Taft, SEQ
retary OF war, was given an ovation by
$4,000 people in Convention hall Mon
day night, when he was the guest Of
honor and principal speaker at tho
most elaborate banquet ever attempted
In this city, given by the Association
Of Young Republicans of Missouri and
attended by 1900 persons, many OF
whom came from Nebraska, Kansas.
Oklahoma and distant Missouri cities.
The demonstration accorded Secre-
tary Taft when he entered the great
banquet hall, and again when he rose
to speak, has never been surpassed by
the welcome given any public man in
the history of this city. Each of the
1900 banqueters paid $3.50 for the
privilege of attending, but the bal
comics OF the hall were free to the pub
lie, and long before the speaking be-
gan standing room in the hall was at
premium.
Secretary Taft's speech was a gen
eral defense of the Republican party
and especially of the policies brought
to the fore by the administration OF
Theodore Roosevelt. In eulogizins
Lincoln, the speaker said that Lincoln
was party man, "as all men must he
who expect to leave their individual
impress upon the political character
of the nation" Speaking of the recent
panic and the Presidents late special
message to Congress. the secretary
said:
The message contains an answer TO
the charges made that the administra-
v G ba tnV
depression and the sharpness and en-
phasis with which this unfonnded at
tack is met have heartened the great
body OF the people as n bugle call to
renewed support OF the administra.
ton.
From beginning to end the message
shows his earnest desire to protect the
honest business man and the honest
laborer, and to secure to them the pos
| sibility OF living under the equal ad-
ministration of the law"
Secretary Taft referred to abuses by
corporations and declared that a con-
viction had seized the people that
there were many engaged in the man
agement of corporation wealth who re-
garded the statutes as dead letters and
themselves as a privileged class. we
were passing into regime Of an ir-
responsible plutocracy." said he. Dur
Ing the last four years there has been
a great moral awakening to this dan
ger among the people and n popular
demand that the law breakcrs-no
matter how wealthy or how high or
powerful their position-shall be made
to suffer. Under the leadership OF
Theodore Roosevelt. the Republican
party has not faltered In its determine
n hn nIrA %
situation and to enact such legislation
ms may be necessary TO bring to
close this period OF Illegal corporate
immunity" Df'h .N
There are those who have been
members of the Republican party who
diner with Mr.. Roosevelt IN respect
to the proper course 10 be taken in
stamping out these abuses OF corpor.
ate wealth. The great bulk Of the R1
publican party, however, stands solidiy
nj his back In the work which he and
the representatives OF the party In
| Congress are doing"
In concluding. Secretary Taft said:
Vigorous action and measures To
stamp out existing abuses and effect
reforms are necessary 10 yindicatc so
cioty as at present constituted. Other.
wise we must yield To those who seek
10 Introduce new order OF thinfs on
n sociallsilc basis.
The Republican party follows tho
administration upon this social ard
moral rcform-apnroycs It's attitude iu
favor OF vested rights. OF maintaining
The power Of the courts. Of rendering
more equal by legislation the basis OF
dealing between employer and en-
p'oyc. OF STRENGTHENING the rcguln,iyc
power over corporations. and OF prose.
cutting those lawbrcakcrs who continue
TO defy public opinion. Roosevelt leads
his party ms Lincolr led his-as Nc.
kinlcy led his-to meet tho now liz
sues. 10 arm oGr present civilization.
and nj II with n bold front TO resist
the attacks Of Socia,isn,. and to trans
NIT TO the coming generations nm.
harmed the crent institution of civil