The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-14
Eight Years Ago the President
 Gave Taft a Mission
SENT TO THE PHILIPPINES
Taft Went to Washington Seeking a Position on Supreme Bench and Was Sent 10000 Miles Away
 From Ills Home.

William H. Taft, speaking tonight at the dedication of Mckinley memorial organ iu Metropolitan temple told to the aud fence the story of his official association with the late President and declared with reference to the Philippines that the pol icy laid down by MT. Mckinley in 1900 had been the policy of the present, as 1t Will be the policy of his own, admnistra- ton in tho White House. He will re- main here until Thursday, when he leaves for Augusta, to spend the five weeks pre- ceding his proposed departure to the Pan anna canal. MT. Taft said his visit to New York was devoid of political interest end that he did not expect to make any cabinet announcements while here He is to address the National Civic Federation Tuesday and the Ohio society Wednesday evening.
 The memorial and dedlcatory services at which the~ Fresident-elect spoke tonight Logan with the morning service in the church. ~ Mir Taft attended that service and was checred by great throng gath cred outside the edfice In addition to himself the speakers tonight were Andrew Carnegie and John J. McCook
 Tt was in February, 19O0,' said MT. Taft in relating the personal narrative
  try Into public life, which in eight years has brought him to the presidency, that in the Courthouse in Cincinnati I re- ceived from Mir Mckinley a message which read like this:
 If you have no other engagement, you will do me a great favor by calling on me in Washington some time next week
 Sent to Philippines.
 'T did not know of any vacancy which existed in the supreme court bench at that time, but I went to Washington just the same Arriving at the White House I was ushered into the cabinet room, and there l met the President. Judge, he said, I'd like to have you go to the Philippines l said: MT. President. what do you mean by going to the Philippines? He replied We must establish a gov ernment there and l would like for you to help
 But, Mir. President said, I'm sorry we have got the Philippines. I don't want them, and think you ought to have some man who is more in sympathy with the situation
 You don't want them any less than I do,' replied the President, but we have got them, and in dealing with them l think I can trust the man who did not want them better than I-can the man who did.
 Taft's Feelings.
 You can readily understand" con- tinued Mr. Taft, "the feelings of a man whose only object in going to Wash ington was the hope of finding vacant cushion on the supreme court bench, to be asked to go 10000 miles from home. But after I had talked with MT. Mckinley and with Secretary Root I decided l would go and in a hurry l went under the influence he had of making people do what they ought to do in the in- terest of the public service. MT. Mckin- ley said he would stand by me in the Philippines and he did. He was man of the most wonderful tact that I ever knew MT McKinley's idea-and it Is idea we are still carrying out in the Philippines-was one of benevolent assim- ilation That idea or policy has come in for much criticism because tranquil lity was secured only through the ex- ercse of the sword. It was cause of the deepest sorrow to MT. Mckinley that this was necessary, and today we are trying to carry out that which he would have us do were he alive today We are trying to educate the people in the islands, and to teach them, through par tial self-government,. to attain the point where ultimately they will be able to govern themselves
 Favored By Fortune.
 Where Providence has thrust upon us the responsibility of a people our duty in aiding them is like that of men fla vored by fortune whose duty it is to help the helpless and unfortunate in the com munity. 1 speak of the Philippines with confidence that comes from watching the progress of the islands. In good faith we are carrying out an altrustio policy. We must continue this policy and hold the islands for the benefit of the people who live there"
 MT. Taft paid a striking personal trib- ute to the character of MT. Mckinley, and declared that it was peculiarly fitting that an organ should be dedicated to him whose whole life was one of harmony.
 He also was a great judge of men" continued MT. Taft. "I did not realize how great until I began the work my self of selecting a cabinet. He was told it was not possible for him to get the services of tho greatest Secretary of War-I will hardly except Stanton that this country has ever known. Elihu Root. MT. Root went to Wash ington to. decline, but he came back Secretary of War.
 MT. Mckinley could send away empty handed the office seekers and have the disappointed man feel far more grateful to him than many who have received commissions have felt toward other Presidents
 Lover of Peace.
 "He was a lover of peace throughout the nation and the world. and yet he had more wars than any President since Lincoln"
 MT. Taft paid tribute to President Mckinley for his hesitancy in rushing into conflict for which the country was ill-prepared MT. Mckinley, he said had to stand much harsh criticism from the Nlot heads of the country who insisted upon immediate war regard less of preparation.
 Some of us seem to have such sub lime faith in, our own abilities and in Providence that we think we can whip any country in the world without guns"
 The dedicatory exercises at Metropol- itan Temple will continue throughout the week.
 MT. Taft gave out some further de- tails of his proposed trip to Panama, saying he would take along several consulting engineers not connected in any way with the work on the canal. He said he might continue his annual trips to Panama after entering the White House.
 "The story about the canal being a failure has come to be about as regular a feature as the story in democra tic campaigns about the electorate going to be bought. It comes about October 15 in every campaign" said MT. Taft
 Mr. Taft deplored the accident on the isthmus, and hoped that few of the injured men would suffer serious