New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-09-18
ATTACKS HELP TAFT
CLERGY RISE TO HIS AID.
rsrzsts on Religious Grounds Bring
Ecclesiastical Praise.
rBv Telegraph to The Tribune.l


7reJdu - belief has. in the opinion Of the
DIS - =, managers not only proved failure,
os"i. 4.5 = salutary effect, for many clergy
%. = prominence have fastened to express
ne. .oredenoe in the high religious standing
me- NJ. ssnublIcan candidate. The attack on
% ..-s grounds began long before the candi-
- dominated when friends OF one of the
oors sought 10 spread the report that Mrs
Catholic. The story was widely told,
ever gained much credence. 1t was too
%, ,-oz-n that Mrs. Taft was an Episcopalian
We -ag,,1s- attendant at St Johns Church in
-,,re-on. where only year ago her daugh-
70 Helen was confirmed in that faith
So .be nomination the attack was renewed
wholly different quarter and was based
.ho ground that Mr. Taft was Unitarian
- .his report was brought to the attention
Taft who has been conspicuous for his
s.b ~ view in religious matters and the
-'-.s-oa which he has rendered on every op-
.-,-,+,, 10 Christian ministers and mission
-. n every denomination, he became indig-
md refused TO defend his creed.
-. method OF attack has proved boone
I'D many Christian ministers. indignant at
sts-scter Of the articles and editorials pub
- On the subject, have hastened to testify
.he.- full confidence IN the high character
sssn religious conviction OF the Republican
candidate,
PRAISE FROM BISHOP FALLOws.
ono NJ the most notable declarations OF this
-..-acter was that OF Bishop Samuel Fallows of
ne reformed Episcopal Church. of Chicago,
~ declared from the rostrum at Toledo his
high opinion Of Mr. Taft. saying in part:
easily q master among all the masterfuI
~ who are to-day controlling the govern
o--e of the earth. He is deeply religious.
-;-bort & trace Of bigotry, fearing God and
a-lr;Tr righteousness as did the two Adamses
and Abraham Lincoln He IS equally the friend
- csoital and labor. every President should
he I can aver without fear Of successful con-
+rsdiction that no man ever came before the
American people for the highest honor in their
Of The proudest political position known 10
nan so thoroughly prepared TO meet its weighty
-ss1onsfbfIities as Mr. Taft He is broad in the
hack broad in the brow and broad in the
heart
like testimonials have come from many other
monument cIergynen, testimonials, which might,
nerhsps IN many instances. never have been
volunteered but for the attacks TO which the
candidate has been subjected from certain quar-
tiers. and on grounds concerning which clergy
men are most competent TO speak
7HF REV. DR.. SHORTS TRIBUTE.
In recent public address the most Rev. John
Ireland. Catholic Archbishop Of st. Paul, took
occasion 10 pay high tribute 10 Mr. Tafts high
character and pre-eninent fitness for the great
Office for which he is a candidate, and only to
dev the Rev. Dr. Francis Burgette Short,
leading Methodist Clergyman OF Salt Lake City.
rsid tribute 10 M Taft in these words:
1u6pe Taft surely occupies a conspicuous
nasee in both the ethical and religious world.
He is eminently fitted. both in character ana
land His efforts 10 raise high standard OF
life at home. his interest in and soncituoe Tor
The nations across the sea mark him as man
N sane religious visions and desire. Such
man this nation needs and requires at its head,
II We continue 10 hold the undivided admiration
II those al home and those abroad. Such
man We must have Il We would make hlstoiS
that is gloriously humane NO place mere toI
the visi0ra-v but large and fitting pace 1oI
2 prophet and for one whose genius ana eA-
rerjence and heart have directed OlI1lculI IaShS
n most successful elimination Our fresI-
dent must he a master in the art OF statecraLl-
He must be able at times TO stand IKE 1lu-
raltar and yet he must have heaIl as human
as a babe -. ,-,-
and genius and statesman and patriotic cltl-
zeu William Howard Taft be surely LleiICo
the support Of all high-minded cltzehs, IoI We
recognize that he has given his entire AnIiueilOe
toward the better development OF Lhghel
Christian civilization both at home ana apIo0u
Numerous other testimonials from men high
:, the councils Of the Christian churches have
resulted from the effort 10 make Mr. Tafts re-
Ngion q factor in the campaign. and so extensive
and heartfelt have they been that his campaign
managers feel no soIicitude 10 the outcome or
anxiety regarding the support which VIII De
rven the Republican candidate by the religious
element OF the community.
TAFT PREPARING SPEECHES.
There has been evident at the Taft headquar-
fsrE to-day an atmosphere Of increased energy
and even buovancy as a result OF the gathering
here yesterday Of the chairman and members
If the national committee and the determination
as TO thu route OF the candidates first speaking
tour. Mr. Hitchcock and other members OF
the committee impressed on Mr. Taft the ad-
Visibility OF preparing his speeches for the COM
ING trip II advance so far as that proved prac-
scsble 50 that all newspapers might have an
eportunity TO publish them and 10 that end the
candidate returned TO his home early to-day to
dictate some Of the speeches which he viii de-
liver on bis trip
At the headquarters in the Sinton. the press
TIRE OF visitors is so great that Mr.. Taft has
hardly tine 70 attend TO his mail and the dicta-
ton IF speeches or the performance Of any
work which requires thought is practically i'm
possible He decided. therefore, at present at
east 70 remain AT headquarters only during the
forenoon and then 10 return TO his home and
oeFote himself there 10 some Of the tasks which
cannot be carried on where interruptions at
minute intervals are unavoidable.
PARTY WILL BE LARGE
The preparations for the coming speaking
0'p are being carried on with energy, and II
seems probable that very considerable party
VII travel with Mr.. Taft There are to be two
speakers in addition 10 the Presidential candi-
aate' including. probably. Senator DolIiver, Of
iowa Fred W. Carpenter. Judge Taft's secre-