Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-10-06
TAFT AS A SPEAKER.
His Talks to the People Winning
Many Votes.
DOESN'T POSE AS AN ORATOR.

Word Pictures Not Needed to State
Facts Plainly-Republiean Candi-
dates CIearness and Sincerity Carry
Conviction.
From being decidedly apprehensiye
rs to the outcome OF Judge Tafts
speaking tours Republican leaders are
now convinced that one of the wisest
moves of the campaign was the decf-
sion to let the Republican candidate
visit as many sections Of the country
as possible between now and election
day and talk to as many voters as the
time will permit. When speaking tours
for Taft were first discussed the oppo-
nents of the plan Gased their opposi-
ton ON the fact that as an orator Tart
cannot be compared to Bryan. They
argued that Taft, who makes no pre-
tense to oratory, would be placed at
disadvantage appearing on the stump
against the gifted Nebraskan. But
Judge Taft himself solved the problem
and cleared the whole situation with
one sentence in his recent speech at
Sandusky, o.
Il cannot dwell in the cerulean blue,
but have to deal with facts" he de-
c!ared. II Is this dealing with facts In
clear, dispassionate manner that mas
made William Howard Taft what he
Is, that will cause him to gain strength
every time lie appears in public. Tafts
best friends cannot claim for him that
he Is an orator. But he can tell the
truth and does tell It. He will not have
to paint beautiful word pictures OK
what should be done. He will not have
to plead with silyery eloquence for the
alleged downtrodden nor call on the
masses" to rise up and save the coun-
try from the ruin which Bryan has
been predicting and finding various
panaceas for during the past twelve
years.
What Taft has to do Is to state
.oId, clear cut facts, to tell the truth
about himself. to give to his auditors
4 clear and unmistakable idea Of what
Taft the man is and what he STANDS
FOR. And this he can do, and do well.
BY nature he is frank and open. II
would be difficult for him to dissembls
# he wished to do so.
Already Taft has begun making ser1-
ous impressions OH his audiences. Bry-
an never fails to tickle his audiences.
In most instances he arouses enthusf-
asm. but It Is an enthusiasm which
rarely lasts. Those who listen and
applaud go away and forget. With
he Taft audiences 1t is different. BY
he clearness of his exposition and the
absolute sincerity Of his manner he
,arries conviction. His auditors are
soon impressed by two things-Tafrs
ability and Taft's sincerity.
THAT man means what he says" h
1 comment frequently heard after Taff
has spoken. Another Taft character
tstic that is winning many friends for
The Republican candidate among those
who knew nothing Of him before they
saw and heard him Is his great cour-
lge. He says what he thinks, ana
says II In such Il way that 1t remains
liked in the minds Of those who hear
him. At Athens, o.. he was address
ing 400 union coal miners He told
hem about having issued injunctionS
Il issued them. he said. because
he ri.hts Of the plaintiffs demanded
t. when am on the bench | enforce
he law. And | have no apology to
make
For minute there was absolute ST.
ence. dramatic III It, intensity Then
he lOO mincr; broke not merely into
ipr!ause. bet INTO enthusiastic cheers
tfter the meeting they We're heard ex-
)rco ling their views
That man is on the level" sai one.
'Ic doesn't hand out any con talk.
70 kncws here he stands AMI - not
frald TO come straight out WIN
hing He amt the orator Bryan Is.
,ut he says things that Bryan wouldn't
lire say"
Unlike many Of Bryan's utterances,
rafts utterances will bear inspection.
He will make no declration that Is
open to doubt. 81 have to deal with
facts" he said. In some Of his
speeches Bryan. intoxicated with the
sound Of his own words, frequently
makes statements not entirely trust.
worthy. Taft has been too long on the
bench. too long In high government po-
sitions, where his utterances carried
weight, to permit OF his making care
less statements Furthermore, Taft
possesses TO marked degree the sbil-
Ity to discuss the most intricate sub.
Iects In the simplest language. H3
proved tkas most conclusively ut sam
iusky when he made perfectly plain to
his audience the development Of anti
trust legislation and the powers and
limitations Of the federal government.
Everybody knew exactly what he was
hlking about and understood II clear.
", vet there were few In the audience
VINO redllZeu t1bt ue NuS uiSCN5SHiS
lbstruse legal problems without resort
ng to. bewildering legal phraseology.
AS far as personal magnetism goes.
Taft and Bryan are nearly equal. But
where Bryan's personality Is one that
creates interest and enthusiasm Tafts
Is one that inspires affection and trust
| mlness. THAT man has fine face;
would trust him anywhere" said q
West Virginia woman who with q
arge party came over the mountains
10 hear Taft speak ut Hot Springs.
Those who meet him feel that he Is
not only sincere. but that he possesses
the ability and courage TO handle safe
y the many problems that confront a
president II Is the knowledge OF all
this that makes the Taft managers
gisd that be Is to 60 out and meet the
people
Free trade England Is alarmed again
ut the physical deterioration Of her