The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-10-16
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.

LUG euort 20 arouSe prejudice against
william II. Taft because of his reliv-
lous belief has, in the opinion of the
campaign managers. not only proved a
failure, but has had a salutary effect.
Tor many clergymen of prominence have
hastened to express their confidence in
the high religious standing of the Re-
publican candidate. The attack on re-
ligious grounds began long before the
candidate was nominated, when friends
OF one Of the ~"allies" sought to spread
the report that Mrs. Taft was a Cath
Ollie. The story was widely told, but it
never gained much credence. 1t was
too well known that Mrs. Taft was an
Eplscopalian and Il regular attendant
at st. h Church in Washington,
where only a year ago her daughter,
Miss Helen, was confirmed in that
faith.
After the nomination the attack was
renewed from a 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
tiers and the assistance which he has
rendered on every opportunity to Chris
tan ministers and missionaries of ev-
cry denomination. he became indignant
and refused to defend his creed.
This method of attack has proved a
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 tina 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 a master among all the
masterful men who are to-day controll-
ing the governments Of the earth. He
is deeply religious, without a trace Of
bigotry, fearing God and working right
eousness as did the wv Adamses and
Abraham Lincoln. He is equally the
friend Of capital and labor, as every
President should be. | 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 prondest political position
known to man, so thoroughly prepared
to meet its weighty responsibilities as
Mr.. Taft. He is broad in the back,
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 compe-
tent to speak.
The Rev. DR.. shorts
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
for which he Is a candidate, and only
to-day the Rev. DR.. Francis Burgette
Short, a leading Methodist cieI lyman
of Salt Lake City. paid tribute to Mr..
Taft in these words
Judge Taft surely occupies a con-
spicuous 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 a high standard Of life
ut home, his interest in and solicitude
for he nations across the sea mark
him as a man Of sane religious visions
and desire. Such q man this nation
needs and requires at its head. IL we
continue to hold the undivided admira-
ton of those at home and those abroad.
Such q man we must have il we would
make history that is %gloriously humane.
No place here for the visionary, but a
large and fitting place for a prophet,
and for one whose genius and expert.
ence 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 yet
he must have a heart as human as .
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 influences
toward the better development OF
higher Christian civilization both 6
home and abroad"