Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1908-10-15
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.

| The effort TO arouse prejudice against
William III. Taft because of his relig-
ious belief has, In the opinion OF tho
campaign managers, not only proved Il
failure, but has had a salutary effect,
Tor many clergymen OF prominence have
fastened to express their confidence In
the high religious standing OF the Re-
publican candidate. The attack on re-
ligious grounds began long before tho
candidate was nominated, when friends
| or one OF the allies" sought to spread
the report that Mrs. Taft was Cath.
Ole The story was widely told, but 1t
never gained much credence. 1t was
too well known that Mrs. Taft was nm
Episcopalian and regular attendant
ut st. Johns Church In Washington,
where only a year ago her daughter,
Miss Helen, was confirmed In that
faith.
| After the nomination the attack was
renewed from 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
ters 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 FnIIows.
| 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 master among all tho
masterful men who are to-day controll-
| Ing the governments Of the earth. lie
Is deeply religious, without n trace OF
| blgotry, fearing God and working right
eousness as did the two Adamses and
| Abraham Lincoln. lie IL equally tho
| friend Of capital and labor, ms 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 It's weighty responsibilities as
| Mr. Taft. lie Is broad In the back,
| broad In the brow and broad In thu
| heart"
Like testimonials have come from
many other prominent clergymen, tes-
timonials, which might, perhaps, In
many instances, never have been yolun-
| teered but for the attacks TO which tho
| candidate has been subjected from GER
| tain quarters, and on grounds concern.
ing which clergymen are most compe.
| tent to speak.
The Rev. DIR. shorts Tribute.
In n 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 Burgetto
Short, leading Methodist clergyman
IF al \ nh (ttfu pi ~, ~
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 oocu-
by the highest Office In our land. His
efforts to raise high standard of life
at home, his interest In and solicituds
for the nations across the sea mark
him as man Of sane religious visions
and desire. Such a man this nation
needs and requires at It's head. If we
continue to hold the undivided admlra-
ton of those at home and those abroad.
Such man we must have II we would
make history that is glorlously humane.
No place here for the visionary. but a
large and fitting place for Il prophet,
and for one whose genius and expert
ence and heart have directed difficult
tasks to most successful culmination.
Our President must be master in tina
art OF statecraft. He must be able at
times to stand like Gibraltar and yet
he must have heart as human as Il
babe.
such man, and much more. is that
scholar and genius and statesman and
patriotic citizen, William Howard Taft.
He surely merits the support Of all
hgh-minded citizens, for we recognize
that he has given his entire influences
toward the better development OF
higher Christian civilization both at
home and abroad"
- I..N Ill T.