The Washington herald., 1908-07-29
Mr. TAFT'S ACCEPTANCE

TIE Republican partys chief hope OF
success II the present controversy must
rest On The confidence which the people
Of the country have IN the sincerity Of
the party's declaration IN its platform
that IL intends TO continue the IRoose-
veltl policies
This statement comes from William
Howard Taft. Republican candidate for
President Of the United States It is the
keynote Of his speech, or letter OF &c
cepta2ce. Il states the truth
# the people Of this country are con-
WINGED or If they become convinced. OF
the sincerity OF the party's dec!ara-
tioR as TO the Roosevelt policies; Il
they believe. or are led 70 believe. that
there is 10 be no turning backward after
March 4 next: If they make up their
minds n the next three months that the
react.orary element over which Roose-
velc steadily has tri1mphed. but which
even nov is dominant n the pa-ty-s lead
e-ship. VIII not regain sway when he re-
tires from the White House. then William
Howard Taft viii be elected President OF
the United States
L rests with 3Ir. Taft. and he wisely
sees it, TO convince the country that. II ne
be chosen. the --quickcled conscience" OF
the people, which Drought On a moral
awakening among them that boded wei
1or The future IS not 10 be disre-
garded OF trlGed vith-aud certainly he
made hsadway in that direction yester-
day IN his speech Of acceptance
Il Is not a Geuvera1ce that thrills the
reader with the rorcefulness Of its rhet-
orc Taft is not. II Is needless 70 say. a
Roosevelt or Root or Hughes or William
Jennings Bryan IN strength OF cIeveness
OF expression. As a whole. his accept
aace is pr0sy IN text. Iumber.ugIy heavy
and judicial in its treatment OF topics.
utterly devoid Of epigrzms. and 1uo-di-
nately long Tiresome 20 read. It never
taeless VIII repay the reading. for clearly
Il IS the work Of a candid. ou-spoken
candidate. who would have the country
know precisely where he stands
Obviously, William Howard Taft. IN his
belief IN the Roosevelt policies. Is sin
ce-e, whatever the country may decide
as 10 his party. TemperarnentaIIy the
autithesls Of the man whom he would
succeed. wholly unlike him ia ruaExs-J7u
and in mode OF thought, and speech, he
Yet stands unqualifedly for Roosevelt
ism. and thus. so far asEhe Is master Of
the Republican situation. promptly at
tunes his candidacy 10 that progressive
OF radical sentiment Of the land which
sure as fate. whether We Ike Il OF not
VIII be powerful enough 70 control the
national election IN Nozember.
OF the wisdom Of 1Ir- Taft's plans for
dealing with the Roosevelt policies. 10 the
continuance OF which he, commits himself
fully and finally. there VIII naturally bs
differences OF opinion The corporation.
affected. however. doubtless vyiu pin tae.,
faith 10 his judicial training and temper.
ament. and assuredly ind comfort IN N,
promise held out that ways and mean:
viii be found by which 'the high leve
OF business integrity and obedience TO III.
law which he ROOSEVELT has established
may be maintained. and departures from
It restrained without undue interference,
with legitimate business"
The remainder Of the long speech. EN-.
bracing a discussion Of various govern
mental problems from the Republican
viewpoint gives no new aspect 10 am
campaign issue He concludes with Al
appeal for the continued support Of thos
independent Democrats whose votes fl
Presidential campaigns since 1885 hav.
contributed SO largely TO swell Repub
Hcan majorities the country over, bu
who. in this year OF grace 1873. find tht
platforms Of the two great parties closel-
ain and the candidates themselve.
practically agreed as 10 the thing upper
most in the American mind-Roossvelt
ism
Verify. We have come upon strang
timesi What has this moral awak
ening." this political evolution, wrought
What has become Of that Georgia sun