Los Angeles herald., 1908-07-29
TAFT DEFENDS ALL ACTS OF G. O. p

well feel a just pride to the exceptional
| record of efficiency, economy, honesty
and fidelity which it has made we
may rely upon our record in this re-
| gard in an appeal to the American peo-
pie for their approval.
The foreign policy of this country un-
der the administration has greatly con-
| tributed to the peace of the world. Inc
! important part the administration took
! in bringing about an end of the Rus
sian-Japanese war by a treaty honor
able to both parties and the prevention
of wars in Central America and Cuba
are striking instances of this.
Arbitration Becoming Popular
The arbitration treaties signed with
all the important nations of the world
marks a great step forward in the de-
velopment of the usefulness of The
| Hague tribunal. The visit of Secretary
Root to South America has solidified
our friendship for our sister republics
which are making such strides in the
southern hemisphere and met with
most cordial and gratifying response
| from our Latin-American colleagues.
The assistance which we are rendering
in Santo Domingo to enable that gov
| ernment to meet her obligations ana
avert anarchy is another instance of
the work of this administration in help
ing our neighbors.
This administration has by the
promptness, skill and energy of its
negotiations secured dominion in the
canal zone, of the isthmus of Panama
without which the construction of the
canal would have been impossible 1t
has subdued the heretofore insurmount-
/ able obstacle of disease, and made the
place of work healthy. 1t has created
such an organization that in six years
/ fy,I,- = fI4n
| lantic and the Pacific will be united,
to the everlasting benefit of the worlds
commerce and the effectiveness of our
navy will be doubled.
The statement of things actually done
by this administration at home, in our
dependencies and in foreign affairs
shows a marvel of successful accom-
plishments, and if ever party has en-
titled itself to the approval of its
works by the renewed mandate of pow
er from the people whom 1t served it
is the Republican party in the present
campaign.
The only respect in which nothing
has been done is in the department of
our foreign marine. AS long as we up
held the system of protection for our
home industries we must recognize that
it is inapplicable to assist those of
our citizens engaged in the foreign
shipbuilding, because there is no feas-
ible means of excluding foreign COM
petition, and that the only other
nethod of building such a business is
by direct aid in the form of mail
subsidy. 1 am infavor of the bill be-
ing considered in the last congress as
a tentative step.
Direct Steamship Lines
The establishment of direct steam
ship lines between our Atlantic ports
and South America would certainly do
much to develou a trade that might be
made far greater. On the Pacific the
whole shipping trade threatens to pass
into control of Japan. Something ought |
to be done, and the bill which failed |
was a step in the right direction.
The Democratic party under its pres
ent leadership in previous campaigns |
has manifested a willingness to en- |
brace any doctrine which would win |
votes, presents little sense of respon- |
sibility for its practical operation. In
it's striving for success 1t has ignored
the business prosperity of the country,
has departed from sound economies
and governmental principles and has
reversed it's own traditional views of
constitutional construction.
Patriotic members of the party have
refused to be controlled by party ties
and have either refrained from voting
or have supported the Republican can
didates. May we not appeal to these
courageous and Independent citizens to
again give US their support in this
campaign, because the reasons for their
breaking the bonds of party are
stronger today than ever before?
have now reviewed at great length
the principles at issue between the two
parties. When l began the prepara-
ton of this speech 1 hoped to make it
much briefer than it is, but 1 found on
an examination of the platform and on
a consideration of the many measures
passed during the present administra-
ton and the issues arising out of them,
that 1t was impossible to deal with the
subjects comprehensively with proper
explanation and qualification in short
speech. This is my excuse.
I have pointed out that the attitude
of the Republican party with reference
to evils which have crept in, due to the
enormous differences between material
expansion of this country is to con-
tinue the Roosevelt policies of progress
and regulation, while the attitude of
the Democratic party, under Its pres
ent leadership, is the change for the
sake of change to the point of ire
sponsible destruction, and that there is
no hope whatever of a restoration of
prosperity in resturning it to power.
AS said in our platform, we Repub-
licans go before the country asking the
support not only of those who acted
with us heretofore. but of all our fell
low citizens who, regardless of past po-
litical differences, unite in the desire
to maintain the policies, perpetuate the
blessings and make secure the achieve
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