New-York tribune., 1908-10-20
MR.. TAFT IN THE EAST.

NJ, re+,s snaeL,iny +o,,r brings him this week
49, +bo Eastern states and gives the Eastern
nuhI;c chance to measure his campaigning
methods with those of his opponent 'oIlu
nateIy for the Republican candidate Ne uoes
not have TO shape his views according 10 la'l'uue
and longitude He is not roaring Ia"t."i
vond the Mississippi. a conservative radical ID
tho Middle Uesf and a soft pedal conservative
when he crosses the Alleghanes. ie aoes ho'
have m angle for the negro vote north or the
Ohio River and TO subscribe Loyalty. south or tne
Ohio River to the theory that the only goou
negro voter is the one whose QUALIFICATIONS 'i'
not visible under the microscope 10 d JuuiOiou0
.,d no+,.io+io election officer. Mr.. Taft has the
advantage of Mr. Bryan in presenting the salhe
views in every section of the country anu n't
asking the voters Of the various sectiohs u eo''
him because he is all things TO all men ever!
where who in bis Judgment can help him into the
Presidency.
Tho canvass made by Mr.. Taft has greatly
streng+beped him with the public He has been
enabled TO show himself as he is-sincere out
snoken. eouable and trustworthy. lie knows
where be stands and is not afraid to commit
himself on any question, and he is equally aI
ease defending his principles in Kansas or New
York in Tennessee or in Massachusetts. HIS
consistency and steadfastness have had thelr
natural effect for they have offered sn1nlng
of his opponent. who talks one issue here and
another there and wants TO plead the statute OF
limitations on all expressions of opinion mace
,,rior 70 July. 1908 as If statesmans views
co,,Id he treated as undiscovered statutory OF
fences and the merciful lapse of a few years
could wipe them off the record Mr. Tart has no
awkward committals which he would like to run
AWAY from His record is clear, consistent ana
unassaiIable. He stands four square to all the
winds that blow. and does not ask the privilege
of retiring to the cyclone cellar when the wind
Gets from the free silver coinage, government
ownership of railroads or some other equally
threatening quarter.
Mr. Taft will find the Eastern States eager to
welcome him. People hereabouts have watched
with satisfaction his campaign in the West
which has dispelled false hopes in that secuon
of a Democratic reaction. They have seen him
prick the bubble of Mr.. Bryans political
strength that strength resting on the false ny
pothesis that widespread dissatisfaction Win
Renublican policies existed west Of the Ale
gbanies. No such dissatisfaction does exist, and
there is every reason to think that Mr.. Taft
will poll the normal Republican vote OF the
Western States while Mr. Bryan. though run
ming ahead of ex-Judge Parker, will get a rea-
tivr- smaller vote than he got in 1896 or 1900
The East is no more for Bryan now than It was
in his two earlier Presidential campaigns, AMI
from the DemOcratic-Popuist-So vote
which he got in 1896 and 1900 must be sub
tracted the thousands of radicals who this year
are supporting Debs and Hisgen. In this state
and in the East generally Mr.. Taft will find his
cause already won. He has been Judged and
found acceptable while his opponent has stead
ilv weakened and is entering the last stage Of
the canvass distressed and demoralized.