Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-06-25
KNOWS WHAT IS
MR.. TAFT WRITES AN ARTICLE
ON HIS CONCEPTION OF
THE PRESIDENCY.
MUST KEEP CLOSE TOpEOPLE
viii Get His Best Counsel From Them
Declares the Republican Can
didate-some lllustrious
Examples.


New York, June 23.-Secretary VII
liam H. Taft has written the follow
ing article on his conception of the
presidency: N
I'm the four years that have been
q member of the cabinet have be
come familiar enough with the re
sponsibilities and burdens Of the
presidency to know that no man can
afford unduly to seek that great Of
fee. If he is attracted by honor and
power 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 peace Of mind never to be presi-
dent to being Q poor president. Con
fident that the platform on which he
stands is for the best interests of the
nation, he is untrue to himself and his
supporters il he does not fight valiant
Iy for election after he accepts the
leadership. But, of course, he must
draw the line at any compact which
will not leave him free of promises
and OF the control of any faction.
1.-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
q better equipment than genius In
mastering the essentials OF all the
departments Of the government and
undergoing the strain of countless in
terviews. He should look not only
to those In office but to those out Of
Office In all branches of private &C
tivity 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 the special pleader.
"In many senses though the most
sought after, he is the loneliest man
in the United States, Elected direct
ly by the people their representative
head, from them in the sober thought
of the majority, he will get his best
counsel. Though Indifference or pre-
occupation with private affairs may
keep them from attending primaries or
scanning closely the other candidate
on 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 po-
sition will permit. In common with
the people, he is human, and he must
ask their charity for his mistakes,
When they have ceased to believe IL
his sincerity and uprightness o.
purpose, his is cherries task. once
convinced that he has OWNED and is
carrying out their real wishes, neither
eIated by an outburst of applause nor
diverted by any outburst of censure,
he must proceed unwaveringly, always
by lawful methods, to the accol-'
plishment of the popular will.
From Washington he may learn
fortitude and uprightness
Lincoln's life and speeches must be
his source of inspiration when he is
and he has to say to
himself patience and cheer 1t is
easier since we had Lincoln than al
was before to be a good president.
He set a standard.
at remained for Roosevelt to prove
how the people will respond to q
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 Of the people. For that rea'
son his successor may well disregard
any charge Of lack Of originality Il
be does not make an entirely new pro
gram Of his own.
"A president at this time has worn
before him clearly defined. The in
iorcement Of the law, equally against
high and low, the powerful and. the
weak. should be his first thought The
danger to our country from laxity o.
Isvoritlsm IN this is the greatest one
We have 70 face. The conservation o.
1ur national resources and their de
lsiopmeut for the use Of Al along the
Ines Of equal opportunity. too. must
,onmaaa he Immediate attention. I
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