The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-10-16
RELIGIOUS FIGHT
ON Taft A FAILURE
Desperate Attempt by Opposition
to Stir Up Prejudice Proves
Boomerang.
Clergymen Of All Denominations
Rush to the Defense Of Judge
Taft and His Attitude
Toward Religion.

LUG eHor TO arouse prejudice against
william H. Taft because Of his relig-
ious belief has. in the opinion of the
campaign managers. not only proved a
failure, but has had a salutary effect.
Tor many clersymen of prominence have
hastened to express their confidence in
the high religious standing of the Re-
publican candidate. The attack on re-
llglous grounds began long before the
candidate was nominated, when friends
or one of the '~allies" sought to spread
the report that Mrs. Taft was a Cath
one. The story was widely told. but it
never gained much credence. 1t was
too well known that Mrs. Taft was an
Eplscopalian and d regular attendant
at st. johns Church in Washington,
where only a year ago her daughter,
Miss Helen, was confirmed in that
faith.
After he nomination the attack was
renewed from n wholly different quar-
ter and was based on the ground that
Mr.. Taft was a Unitarian. When this
report was brought to the attention Of
Mr.. Taft, who has been conspicuous for
his breadth of view in religious mat
tiers and the assistance which he has
rendered on every opportunity to Chris
tian ministers and missionaries of ev-
cry denomination. he became indignant
and refused to defend his creed.
This method Of attack has proved a
boomerang, and many Christian minis
ters, indignant at the character of the
articles and editorials published on the
subject, have FASTENED to testify to
their full confidence in the high char
acter and deep religious conviction Of
the Republican candidate.
Praise from Bishop Fallows.
One of the most notable declarations
Of this character was that of Bishop
Samuel Fallows of the Reformed Epis-
copal Church of Chicago, who declared
from the rostrum at Toledo his high
opinion Of Mr.. Taft. saying in part:
He is easily a master among all the
masterful men who are to-day controll-
ing the governments Of the earth. He
is deeply religious, without a trace Of
bigotry, fearing God and working right
eousness as did the two Adamses and
Abraham Lincoln. He is equally the
friend of capital and labor, as every
President should be. / can aver with
out fear of successful contradiction that
no man ever came before the American
people for the highest honor in their
gift, the %proudest political position
known to man, SO thoroughly prepared
to meet its weighty responsibilities as
Mr.. Taft. He is broad in the back,
broad in the brow and broad in the
heart"
Like testimonials have come from
many other prominent clergymen. tes-
timonials, which might, perhaps, in
many instances, never nave been volun-
teered but for the attacks to which the
candidate has been subjected from GER
tain quarters, and on grounds concern
ing which ~clergymen are most compe
tent to speak.
The Rev. DR.. Shorts
In a recent public address The most
Rev. John Ireland, Catholic Archbishop
Of st. Paul, took occasion to pay high
tribute to Mr.. Taft's high character and
pre-eminent fitness for the great Office
for which he is a candidate, and only
to-day the Rev. DR.. Francis Burgctte
Short, a leading Methodist clergyman
of Salt Lake City, paid tribute to Mr..
Taft in these words
Judge Taft surely occupies a con-
spicuous place in both the ethical and
religious world. He is %eminently fitted,
both in character and practice, to occu-
py the highest Office in our land. His
efforts to raise a high standard Of life
at home, his interest in and solicitude
for the nations across the sea mar
him as a man OF sane religious visions
and desire. Such a man this nation
needs M requires at it's head. If we
continue to hold the undivided adinira-
ton of those at home and those abroad.
Such q man we must have If we would
make history that is gloriously humane.
No place here for the visionary, but a
large and fitting place for a prophet,
and for one whose genius and expert.
ence and heart have directed difficult
tasks to nos successful elimination.
Our President must be a master In the
art Of statecraft. He must be able at
times to stand like Gibraltar and yet
he must have a heart as human as .
babe.
"Such a man, and much more, Is that
scholar and genius and statesman and
patriotic citizen, William Howard Taft.
He surely merits the support of all
high-minded citizens, for we recognize
that he has given his entire influences
toward the better development Of 4
higher Christian civilization both at
home and abroad"