The La Jara chronicle., 1908-10-16
RELIGIOUS FIGHT
ON TAFT A FAILURE
Desperate Attempt by Opposition
to Stir Up Prejudice Proves
Boomerang.
Rush to the Defense of Judge
Taft and His Attitude
Toward Religion.

The effort to arouse prejudice against
William H. Taft because of his rellg-
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-
lisious 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
ole. The story was widely told, but IL
never gained much credence. 1t was
too well known that Mrs. Taft was an
Episcopalian and regular attendant
at st. Johns 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 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
ters 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
t..ra la. Il
articles and editorials published on the
subject, have hastened TO testify to
their full confidence in the high char
acter and deep religious conviction of
the Republican candidate
Prni.e from Bishop FaIIows.
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
mastcrful men who are to-day controll-
ing the governments of the earth. He
is deeply religious without n trace Of
blgotry, fearing God and working right
eousness MS 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 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.
tcered but for the attacks to which the
candidate has been subjected from GER
tain quarters, and on grounds concern
ing which clergymeh are most compS
tent to speak.
Tho 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
for which he is a candidate. and only
to-day the Rev. DR.. Francis Burgetts
Short, ieading Methodist clergyman
OF Salt Lake City, paid tribute to MS.
Taft in these words:
Judge Taft surely occupies a con-
splcuous 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 high standard of life
at home, his interest in and solicituds
for the nations across the sea mark
him as n man of sane religious visions
and desire. Such man this nation
needs and requires at Its head, II we
continue to hold the undivided admira.
ton OF those at home and those abroad
Such a man we must have II we would
make history that is gloriously humane,
No place here for the visionary, but .
large and fitting place for prophet,
and for one whose genius and expert
ence and heart have directed dificult
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 yse
he must have 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-mindcd citizens, for we recognize
that he has given his entire influence
toward the better development of .
higher Christian civilization both a