The Columbus journal., 1908-06-17
TRAINED TO BE PRESIDENT
For Years the Nation has been Preparing Mr.
Taft for the White House,

He shows US how true was that word
Of the late Senator Hoar that the
best boy has something manly about
him, and the best man has much of
the boy in him." Taft is q man many
Of whose ways are those of a boy, q
big, husky, rollicking boy. ever ready
for laugh or q joke or prank, yet
never overstepping the bounds of dig.
nifty, mixing jest and laughter with
work. always bright and sunny, yet
always a marvel Of industry and
achievement.
1t has become automatic at Wash.
ington that whenever trouble occurs
anywhere in the world beyond the
power Of the ordinary agencies to deal
with, Taft is the man who must be sent
to straighten it out. Not only did he
bring order out of chaos in the Philip.
pines. but he averted civil war and
anarchy in Cuba, settled the difficult
problem Of the friars' lands by q visit
to the Vatican, started the vast activity
at Panama in effective fashion, and
then went back again to adjust q
threatened struggle between two jar.
ring states. Though the Secretary of
Peace, he carried IN the War depart
ment with a strong grip upon its de-
tails, helped reorganize the army and
create general staff, and incidentally
found time to make tour of the world
and to travel all over the country as q
fast rising fav orite for the presidency.
1t is not surprising, in view of his
achievements, his record as . getter of
results, as doer, that President Roo.
sevelt should say of him: TAFT is the
biggest going concern in the country"
He keeps going all the time. He
works from 8 o'clock in the morning
till midnight. He not only works
hard, but plays hard, laughs hard,
sleeps hard, eats hard, and sometimes
hits hard when reused, Is Bowen and
Stevens would be willing to certify.
If he keeps going with luck this giant
of a boy will reach the post for which
destiny has been training him through
these busy years.
Not only has Taft had the training
that fits him to be President; he has
the temperament. 1t would be Diff
cult to imagine temperament better
adapted than his to this difficult task.
He is a happy half way between Nc
Kinley and Roosevelt, with most Of
the strength and few ofthe weaknesses
ofboth. He has the training of the
lawyer, of the judge, of the admins
traitor, Of the diplomat. He knows
the American people, he knows the
government, he knows the affairs of
the world. He has an almost UMPIRE
cedented power of handling affairs and
men. Serenity abides with him, and
patience and justice and strength and
firmness. He may never fire the
hearts Of the people as Roosevelt has;
he may never be looked upon by all
as paragon of unpicturesque good.
ness, as was Mckinley. But if Taft
becomes President he will get results.
He will be master without carrying q
whip. He will always strive, as we
see he has always striven, to use in.
finite pains to get at all the facts, to
clarity them, to form slow but sure
judgments, and then to stand by them.
At the White house, if Taft presides
there, will be . great calm, great
patience of listening and Investigation,
great energy of work, great good hum
or, great peace.-Walter Wellman in
June Review of Reviews.