Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-09-30
churchn1en Who Know Judge Taft
Render Him This Sincere
Tribute.
The Attitude of the Republican Can
6idate Towards Religion and a
Life Which Shows Adher-
ence TO the Best Ethics
and Morals.

This is the way in which ! heard the
pastor Of a Methodist church in south
ern Illinois end an argument with a
laymaa on the train coming to Cincin-
natl from ST. Louis, writes a staff cor
respondent Of the st. Louis Globe
Democrat The layman, paying due
respect to the cloth Of his OPP
pOnent, was trying to convince him
that he should not support Mr..
Taft for the presidency, and instead
should vote for his Democratic oppo-
nent. The churchman defended the
principles Of the Republican party, and.
as indicated, defended the man for
whom he said he expected TO vote, from
his personal standpoint Of a churchman,
because he is the highest type Of a
Christian gentleman"
Bishop J. G. TIartzell 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
yy.li not be decided by their religious
by the principles and policies they stand
for in the administration of the gov
eminent ! believe that in acting upon
this view, as an American citizen, 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 as 10 quail
fications TO any Office or public trust
under the United States My eonvic
ton is 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. craftsmanship. litera-
ture, art and religion 70 those who
have not been IN strict harmony with
some OF the dogmas OF the church. The
days OF the inquiston are past"
Remembering that Mrs. Taft Is
Presbyterian. but that Miss Helen Taft
was confirmed In the Episcopal Church
in Washington last winter at the same
time that Miss Ethel Roosevelt, daugh
tr Of the President. was confirmed
wondered as TO Mr. Taft's church asso-
citation. When | made the inquiry here
/ was answered through the columns
OF the Northwestern Christian Advo-
cate, the great Methodist publication.
just as 1t had given answer to hundreds
OF inquiries from It's Methodist subscrib-
ers IL said.
Man OF Broad sympRthies.
Mrs. TAFT and children are Episco-
palial :, and the Secretary frequently
accompanies them to st. Johns Church.
where, also. he has a pew. While Mr.
Roosevelt goes to the German Reform
ell Church, his wife and family, who
Johns Church, where they sit only one
or two pews removed from Mrs Taft
and her children. Secretary Taft
spends his vacation at Murray Bay
Canada. where there In Union Church
attended by the summer colouists of all
denominations. The Secretary OF War
is 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
licat,on--the Western Christian Advo-
catee-.I found a discussion Of both noun
inees. In the course Of which 1t was
asserted:
1.-THE sympathles Of both Mr.. Tar
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, q President OF clean life
lofty principles and Christian convlc.
lions"
Opinion of Negro Clergyman,
On the same afternoon. when Bishop
Hartzel called. Rev. James G. Robin
son. pastor OF the Eaker Street African
Methodist Church of Dayton. Ohio
called at the headquarters In company
with w, ii. Jones. one OF the leading
colored lawyers OF the same city Mr.
Jones was proud OF the fact that he Is
president OF tile ColoreI Taft Club. this
first one to he Incorporated In the Uni
ted States. and Rev. Mr., Robinson al
mitted that he is president OF the
Board of Directors OF the same club
As he left Mr.. Taft's office asked hin
for his view of the candidate. both from
his standpoint as churchman and q.
n laader OF his race
II believe" he said. Judge Taft will
be elected by safe and comfortable
majority. not simply because he Is q
Republican, nor am l speaking because
I am a Republican. But Judge Taft
represents all OF the ideals OF the true
Christian statesman"
As 20 tire attitude Of his own race,
Rev. Mr.. Robinson said; I'VE can not
afford TO line mn with the Democratic
party, which has been antagonIstic Go
our interests always, and against the
party headed by such wise and Chris
tian statesmen as Is Judge Taft. He is
a man whom we know in Ohso Is deSir,
Gus that all men. without regard TO