Semi-weekly herald., 1908-08-06
TAFT Or BRYANT

VIII the American people nave the
Roosevelt policies continued and ad-
ministered by Mr.. Taft or by Mr.. Bry-
an? That Is the real question be-
fore them for decision. It II . DIFF
ference OF men not of platforms. The
platforms differ, that may be admit
ted at once. They differ visibly In
detail; 1t would be easy to show that
they differ In substance. But both
alike embody the Roosevelt policies
They are set forth at Denver as Ok
lahoma understands and would apply
them; at Chicago they are presented
In phrases carefully fashioned to win
western approval while giving the
least possible offense to eastern SEN
timent. But upon the Chicago plat
form Mr.. Bryan would have been re-
jected by the country twelve years
ago even without free silver. The
radicalIsm Of Mr.. Roosevelt would
have alarmed the people then. Now
we have grown accustomed TO II; We
are no longer afraid Of that part of
which Is sound. reforming and rene
dial. A large part Of the people and
all the larger business interests, even
those that are altogether law-sbidins.
would dread continuance Of radi.
calism with Mr.. Roosevelt a. prSsi-
dent. They would be appalled, at the
possibilities OF radicalism with Mr..
Bryan as president. II would be for
them a veritable reign Of terror. The
administration Of Mr.. Roossvelt's poll.
cies by Mr.. Taft would give them
no such cause Of alarm.
The difference. then, Il between the
candidates. They are equally well
known to the country. the tried and
untried. Mr.. Taft schooIed and ripsnsd
by long experience. Mr.. Bryan alto
gether inexperienced In sdministra,
tive duty; Mr.. Taft wise judicial.
steadied by great responsibilities born
with unfailing credit. Mr.. Bryan un-
stable. flighty. fertile In extemporized
principles and justified to the appro-
bation Of the people neither by
achievement nor by sagacity.
We know that public policies, the
old and the new alike. will be executed
by Mr.. Taft reasonably, with calmness,
with sanity. He is less impulslve than
MIR. Roosevelt. not given to disturbing
uttersnces. averse to spectacular and
ill-judged display. We know nothing
Of the kind about Mr.. Bryan. for he
has not been tried. We DO Know that
his mind Is unsteady. his principles un-
| safe. The country has twice rejected
him for that reason. II he at all be-
lleves what he says. what he contin-
ually breaches to his followers, what
no causes to be written In his plat
forms. his election to the presidency
with the power and the intent to apply
his doctrines 10 the administration Of
public affairs would be an immeasur-
able calamity. We may fully trust
Mr.. Taft to enforce the laws. to pun
ish the transgressions OF corporations
and Of individuals. All those policies
OF Mr.. Roosevelt that have yielded
benencia, fruit will most certainly be
continued by him, but with less of
tumult and disturbance. Mr.. Bryan
would deserve and recsivs the exc
Grafton Of his worshipers and would
end his public career abjectly II he
did not 60 much further than Mr..
Roosevelt has gone In the paths Of
radicalism. In chastisins the corpora-
tions and In federal Beddling with
business. The difference bstwssn ~
two candidates h % marked anA ~.
tinct. 10 unmistakab1y e3sar. aAd II
Is differences 20 vital = ~ Dpbll<
welfare that the rsjectioa - Mr. TAI
and the election Of NJ. Bryan voa11
BE- IN appalling svidsnes u voesSai
*