New-York tribune., 1908-09-14
s. "a ananra Hill


Oyster Pay, n. Y. September 9, 1908.
Mr. Dear Mr.. Kohrs: have received your let
Yer about the candidacy OF Mr.. Taft, the man
who feel is in an especial sense the represent
stive Of al ihat in which most believe in polit-
scal life.
Every good citizen should desire 20 see both
prosperity and iustice-prosperity and fair and
righteous dealing between man and man
obtain permanently in this great republic. AS
people We are justly proud OF our business in
dustry, Of our energy and intelligence in our
work; and it is entirely right that we should
ask ourselves as to any given course OF conduct,
'wiIl il be profitable But II is also no less
emphstically true that the bulk Of our people,
the plain people who found in Abraham Lincoln
their especial champion and spokesman, regard
the question, is this morally right?" as even
more t-portant than the question, is TINS
proftable?" when applied TO any given course
OF conduct. Indeed, In the long run our people
are sure TO find that in all dealings, alike IN
the business and the political world, what is
really profitable IS that which is morally right
The last few years have seen great awaken
ing Of the public conscience and the growth OF a
stern determination to do away with corruption
and unfair dealing, political, economic, social.
IL Is urgently necessary that this great reform
f0Vement should go or. But no reform move
merit IS healthy If It goes on by spasms; II IT ts
marked by periods of frenzied advance, followed,
as such periods Of frenzied advance must al
ways be followed by equally violent periods OF
reaction. The revolutionary and the reaction
ary really play into one another's hands 10 the
tends TO arouse such disg -. such e feeling Of
revolt. in the minds Of quiet people, as tempo
fsrlly 20 restore the other to power. To permit
me direction Of our public affairs to fall alter
nately into the hands Of revoutionaries and re-
sctionaries, OF the extreme radicals Of unrest
snd OF the bigoted conservatives who recognize
no wrongs to remedy, would merely mean
That the nation had embarked on q feverish
course Of violent oscillation which would be
iraught with great temporary trouble and would
produce no adequate good in the end. The true
Irlend OF reform. the true foe of abuses, is the
man who steadily perseveres in righting wrongs,
In v'arring against abuses, but whose character
arcb hat ha Y1c-
"nat he cannot perform, that he always a little
more than makes good what he does promise,
ana that, while steadily advancing. he never
permits himself to be led into foolish excesses
which would damage the very cause he cham
pons IN Mr. Taft we have man who COM
unes all Of these qualities to degree which no
other man in our public life since the Civil War
nes surpassed. To a flaming hatred of injus-
uoe TO scorn OF all that is base and mean. TO
hearty sympathy with the oppressed, he unites
entire disinterestedness courage both moral and
physical Of the very highest type, and q kindly
sTierosty en- or nature which makes hlm feel that
"a al OF his fellow counrrymen are in very truth
LIS friends and brothers, that their interests are
MS ana that all his great qualities are TO be
spent with lavish freedom in their service The
honest man Of means. the honest and law abid-
ing business man, feel safe in his hands
because Of the very fact that the dishonest man
81 great wealth. the man who swindles or robs
x .s ieLoWs, would not so much as dare to De
reno his evildong in Mr.. Tafts presence. The
honest wage worker, the honest laboring man,
the honest farmer, the honest mechanic or small
uaeer or man Of small means, can feel that In
peculiar sense Mr.. Taft will be his representa-
1--WE because Of the very fact that he has the
same scorn for the demagogue that he has for
me corruptionist, and that he would front
.lfe5ts of personal violence from a mob with
me unquailing and lofty Indifference with which
ne would front the bitter anger Of the wealthlest
sna most powerful corporations Broad though
us sympathies are, there is in him not the
e.ightest ttnge Of weakness. No consideration
~ " personal interest, any more than Of fear for
NE personal safety, could make him swerve a
.naF breadth from the course which he regards
Ia ha 1rfn fF fha nnfn
BOTH FOR THE SAME POLICIES.
have naturally a peculiar interest In the
success OF Mr.. Taft, and in seeing him backed
ss q majority In both houses of Congress which
WI. WI heartily support his policies. For the last
vi years, while have been Governor of New
e. ork and President, i have been thrown into
NE ne closest Intimacy with him, and he and I
ave on every essential point stood in heartiest
asfeernent. shoulder TO shoulder. We have the
., Ine views as to what Is demanded by the ma
hai hSohai Interest and honor. both within our own
ggoroers and as regards the relations of this ma
'ion with other nations. There is no fight for
(opftu