Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1908-07-03
TAFT ON THE PRESIDENCY.
The Secretary Of War Tells What He
Thinks 4 President Should Be-.

/ hau II. lat nas WIillen Lne I0ll0W.
ing article on his conception Of the
Presidency for the current issue Of
Golfers Weekly:
In the four years that l have been
a member Of the Cabinet, | have be-
come familiar enough with the re.
sponsibilities and burdens of the Pres
idency to know that no man can af.
ford unduly to seek that great office.
II he is attracted by honor and pow.
er alone without the hope Of being
useful, he Is unworthy Of the honor
and unfit for the use Of the power
He must prefer for the sake of his
own piece Of mind never to be Presi-
dent to being poor President. Con.
fident that the platform on which be
stands is for the best interests of
the nation, he is untrue to himself
and his supporters Il he does not
fight valiantly for election after he
accepts the leadership. Butof course
he must draw the line at any com.
pact which will not leave him free of
any promises and Of the control Of
faction.
"The Presidents duties clearly out.
lined by the constitution, have grown
broader in their Interpretation with
the growth Of the country. He
should be In the prime of years,
health and vigor. The capacity for
hard work Is better equipment than
genius in mastering the essentials Of
all the departments Of the government
and undergoing the strain Of count.
less interviews. He should look not
only to those in office, but those out
Of office in all branches Of private
activity for information and opinion
in order that he may arrive at the
truth when he is surrounded by the
conflict Of interests which come to
him with the fair words of hs, special
pleader.
"In many senses. though the most
sought after, he Is the lonliest
man in the United States. Elected
directly by the people their repre-
sentative head, from them in the
sober thought Of the majority, he
will get his best counsel. Though in
difference or preoccupation with pri-
vate affairs may keep them from at
tending primaries or scanning closely
the other candidate or measures, they
can center on the President as their
instrument for the expression Of their
wishes. He should be always near
the people in thought and as near
them in person as his position will
permit. In common with the people,
he is human, and must ask their char
ity for his mistakes. When they have
ceased to believe in his sincerity
and uprightedness Of purpose, his is
IA cheerless task. Once convinced
that he has OWNED and is carrying
out their real wishes, neither elated
by an outburst of applause nor divert
ed by any, outburst Of censure. he
must proceed unwaveringly, always
lby lawful methods, to the accomplish
ment of the popular will.
From Washington he may learn
nobility, fortitude and forthrightness.
Lincoln's life and speeches must be
, his source of inspiration when he is
to himself patience and cheer 1t
is easier since we had Lincoln than II
was before to be a good President
b He set standard.
1T remained for Roosevelt to prove
how the people will respond to q
3 strong and true leadership when the
hour has come for great reforms. The
policies which he inaugurated must
, be continued and developed. They
are right and they are the policies
h OF the people. For that reason hii
. successor may well disregard an!
' charge Of lack Of originality II h'
does not make an entirely new pro
gram Of his own.
Il "A president at this time has worl
\ before him clearly defined. The en-
!. forcement Of the law. equally agains
!. high and low. the powerful and tn
r. weak, should be his first thought
!. The danger to our country from la'
ity or favoritism In this ID the greal
est one We have to face. The col
= servation Of our national resource
: and their development for the US
: Of all along the lines Of equal oppo
:. tunity, too. must command his in
!, mediate attention. It should be b
- aim to give high tone to his a.
. ministration az President Rooseye
!. has BY surrounding himself with me
!. of prominence. enthusiasm In publ
!, interest and Of the cleanest and mo