The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-09-22

myself with as much emphasis as pos
sible, that is, whether 1 would object
to a compromise resolution which shall
include an Endorsement of myself for the
presidency and Senator Foraker for the
senatorship. In my judgment it would
be not only a great mistake-something
more. 1t would be accepted necessarily
as a compromise on my behalf, and, there
fore, with my acquiescence or at least
with the acquieScence of my friends, for
whose action l am more or less respon-
sible 1t would totally misrepresent my
position. l don't care for the presidency
if it has to come by compromise with
Senator Foraker or any one else in u
matter of principle. He has opposed the
vital policies and principles of the admin
istratlon and in his opposition has seized
upon and magnified an important but in
cidental matter to embarraS the admin
istration using in this without scruple
a blind race prejudice to accomplish his
main purpose. If | was confronted with
mere factional difference within my
party, not involving a subject which must
come up for consideration and action by
the next republican nation convention, 1
should not be so emphatic in my conclu-
sions. 1t is not on my part question
OF personal feeling with respect to Sem
ator Foraker. 1t is really question of
political principle. In respect to this the
Legislature of Ohio expressed what l be-
lieve to be the sentiment of the people
Of Ohio in resolution asking the senator
20 support the rate bill.
" Senator Foraker declined to follow
lais resolution. When the issue is wheth-
er he shall be returned, it must be de-
terminsd if this is to be a representative
form of government, not by tine ques-
ton whether he has followed his con-
science but by the question whether he
fI,a i,NlA hot h ig
constituents desire supported, and put into
practice. The issue really is whether the
republicans of ohio, therefore, as the con-
stituents of either a senator or presi-
Dental candidate, support the main
policies maintained by the administration
or the opposition of those policies. Repre-
senting the policies of the administration
] cannot stultify myself by acquiescing
in any proposed compromise which neces
sarily involves the admission that the re-
publicans of Ohio regard this fundamental
difference of opinion as of no Importance
and one that can be waived in the inter-
est of party harmony or the settlement
of fractional differences. There is not the
slightest doubt that the next national con-
yention of the republican party will sus-
tain in full the vital and main principles
maintained by President Roosevelt, and
will express no sympathy with the oppo-
sition represented by Senator Foraker
Because 1 believe in those principles and
because in my judgment the republicans
of the state and nation are overwhelming
ly in favor of them I cannot favor any
action by members of the copmittee who
DO me the honor to support me and wish
to aid me which will have the appear
ance of acquiescence in the proposed COM
promise. Very sincerely yours.
WILLIAM H. TAFT
Praise for Taft.
IT publish this letter without Mr.
! Tafts knowledge because / feel 1t my
duty to publish it, that his attitude should
be known. The man who unhesitatingly
resists temptation, who cannot be swerved
by any consideration of personal in
terest from following the course which
his lofty conception Of duty dictates to
him, the man whose whole concern is
for the welfare of the people and who
has proved in lifetime of difficult and
useful public service his extraordinary
capacity SIS an administrator is surely the
man of all others to be entrusted with
the presidency. Mr.. Taft's candidacy is
not based upon large and vague prom
ises, part Of which would be impossible
to achieve and part of which would be
ABSOLUTELY mischievous to the people of
the whole country If put into effect His
candidacy is based upon his Reat record
of actual achievement and his great rec
ord of service to the public and upon his
inflexible adherence to the highest STAN
dards of righteousness and upon his
proved and absolute fearlessness in re-
lentlessly warning against evil wherever
1t may be found. / appeal to all good
citizens, to all high minded, conscientious
men who love their country for the sake
of their country to put such a man at
it's head. THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
"Sagamore Hill, Oyster Bay. N. Y, Sep
TENDER II, 1905