Middletown transcript., 1908-10-03
JUDGE TAFT'S REFUSAL

1dIb III JulyY 1Sti, alo "hiOAi Avs
just been made public by the
President, must excite the ad
miration and pride of all honor
able American citizens. At the
time this letter was written Mr..
Taft had begun his campaign for
the nomination for President. 1t
was first necessary for him to
obtain the convention vote Of his
own state. Without that his
candidacy would be hopeless.
In Ohio there was powerful op'
position to him, and this opposl-
ton was controlled and directed
by Senator Foraker, the leader
of the party organization in the
State. At that time Mr.. For
aker was one of the most con,
spicuous and powerful leaders
in the United States Senate.
His personal character stood
high, his integrity had never
been questioned. He had die
tated nominations in the State
conventions and he was the head
and front of the opposition to the
nomination of Mr.. Taft. Then
it was suggested by the pacifers
and compromisers and political
managers that the differences
between Taft and Foraker might
be adjusted. They said there
was no cause for O quarrel be.
tween the two. Let Mr.. Taft
and his friends consent to reso-
luton in the State convention
indorsing Mr.. Foraker for re-
election to the Senate, and then
all opposition in Ohio to Mr..
Taft would disappear and the
delegation to the national con-
vention would be instructed for
him by a unanimous vote and a
party breach avoided.
This plan was submitted to
Mr.. Taft, and his response
amounted to political heroism
"I don't care for the Presidency"
he wrote, ''if it has to come by
compromise with Senator For
aker or anyone else in a matter
of principle" The proposed com
promise was not with a man who
had then been personally dis
credited. 1t was with one of the
most honored and powerful lead
ers of his own party, not only in
Ohio, but in the country. There
was no consideration of judicious
political policy nor of personal
honor involved in the arrange
ment. It was question of prin-
cipal pure and simple, and Mr..
Taft was determined that he
would not compromise a prin-
ciple, even if he missed being
President by his refusal. Can
any brave and loyal American
fail to accord honor to a man
who stands so high, who values
principle so highly, who had
rather be right than be presi-
dent?
Just 80 years ago one of The
greatest of American statesmen
and patriots, then a candidate
for President, sent for Senator
Preston. of South Carolina, to
consult with him upon a speech
he proposed to make in the Sen.
ate. Senator Preston suggested
some doubt as to the effect such
a speech would have upon his
candidacy. The reply was, 81
did not send for you to ask what
might be the effect of the pro-
posed movement on my pros
poets, but whether it was right.
I had rather be right than be
President. That saying has
more than three-quarters OF a
century been a household say.
ing in this land. Is the say
ing of Judge Taft, 81 don't care
for the Presidency if it has to
come by compromise in d matter
of principle, I" ary less noble, any
less courageous, any less patri-
otic?
The question of principle in:
volved was the regulation of the
railroads, the enactment Of the
Hepburn Rate bill, the general
policy of the Administration to-
ward the trusts and the corpora
lions engaged in interstate COM
merce. The legislature of Ohio
had passed a resolution request !
ing Senator Foraker to vote for
the rate bill, and Senotor For
,t-ar declined This. in the