The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1908-08-27
TAFT's AFTERWORD
An Ohio Minister Criticises His
Common Enterprise"
With Bosses.

y
II appreciate the opportunity OF ad-
dressing you, and | wish you to I'M
derstand that every one of you is a
man whom feel to be in common EN-
terprise with me-"
Now, this William Taft, candidate
for the exalted office Of president,
used the above language in the pres
ence of George b. Cox of Cincinnati,
Walter Brown Of Toledo and G. w.
Bieser of Dayton, and I'm 1t he de.
clares before the whole state and ma.
tion he looks upon them as equals and
fellow-workers. And yet, only three
short years ago, we hear him de-
nouncing Cox and saying that If he
was 'home in Cincinnati he would feel
1t his sacred duty as citizen to vote
against the ring, and not only the cor
rupt ring in Hamilton county. but
every other so-called Republican ring
in the state. And that, which we may
term his honest foreword, did much
to elect MI. Pattison governor. The
large majority Of the people of Ohio
recognized it as the simple truth.
They had seen enough for themselves,
and Mr.. Tait's speech at Akron came
when most needed, and the people, be-
lieving the president and all honest
leaders were backing him, took heart
and SO voted as to bring about the
much.needed change.
But now. Alas. how have the
mighty have fallen We hear him
say these men are good and faithful
workers and worthy of all honor in
the Republican party. Now, what has
brought about this wonderful change
in Mr.. Taft's opinion? We do think
he owes every Republican voter, at
least, an explanation. 1t does not give
lis any just cause for voting to con-
tinue these men in power for him to
say: 1--WE will not go into the past,
that is all wiped Off the slate" What
we want to know is why are we sup
posed to wipe the said corrupt slate
clean, and by what right does Mr..
Taft take it upon himself to issue bills
of health to said gentlemen? Has he
found out he was mistaken in his
Akron conception of their characters
and modes of political work? If he
has he should make us acquainted
with the fact. He owes 1t to himself
Without 1T he can not retain his self
respect. and can hardly hope to retain
the respect of thoughtful and self-re-
specting men. He also owes it to the
men he assailed at Akron if they are
innocent
The voters of Ohio would like to
know If Messrs. Cox, Brown, ETC., are
men who can be trusted-men who
are worthy of being leaders and man.
ayers in the Republican party. Or, if
they are still the same in conduct and
character. let him inform us by what
process of political logic he makes it
possible for himself and us to accept
them as equals and political brothers.
Does the rise and fall of Mr.. Taft's
conscience depend upon whether he
happens to be running for office or
not? And does he imagine he can
men and things from mis- personal
point of view? This is one of the
questions he must answer. He can
not afford to ignore it. Silence here
means bad politics. If these men have
undergone political regeneration we
demand to know the when and the
how. If they haven't then we would
clear consciences, vote for man who
is not brave enough to say: Gentle
men, If my election depends upon
your favor am not seeking the Office.
My manhood and my duty to the
truth, as | see it, are worth more to
me than anything else"
We are waiting for the answer We
must have 1t, because we want to vote
for the good of our country. and we
know ii can not mean we'll for our
country and it's general interests to
elect men who will owe their offices
to the maneuverings of such men as
Mr.. Taft felt 1t incumbent en- him to
denounce at Akron. For II they were
too corrupt to vote for in state mat
thing to do with national affairs. Or |
is it possible Mr.. Taft imagines 1t |
doesn't make much difference what |
kind of men have the job of making |
a president? Are we to go on the |
rule, the higher we go the less care |
we need take? Or is he so anxious to |
have the office that he doesn't care? |
Again we say, Mr.. Taft, we are wait |
ing for your answer. You know you
didn't touch on it in your speech Of I
Why not?
REV. JOHN p. CALVIN.
Lakeview, o., Aug. 10.