New-York tribune., 1908-06-21
"UR. TAFT'S PERSONALITY."
From The New York Times

From The New York Times
of sound lineage of the best schooling with a re-
rka BILE range of natural gifts in mind and char
tensive experience in exacting posts of public and
professional duty In keen and active sympathy
with the best spirit of his time and his nation. Mr..
guarantees of fitness for the Presidency than any
candidate in history has been able TO present
at the time of his nomination. with the single ex-
ception of Washington.
These guarantees are not Of less-in a sense they
are of even grea ter-worth from the fact that the
of the candidate has not been one of special
distinction. His ambition has not been extraordi-
nary 1t has lain definitely within the lines of his
pv ahd f1d by few on tine of
Supreme Court. What he has done to win the con-
adequate observers in other lands has been done
in the performance of tasks that have come to hln1
naturally and inevitably each successive one prac-
tfcaliy because of the efficiency with which the
preceding have been accomplished. If he may
by which he has pursued the quest The only fat"
office he has held the internal revenue collect
orship that came him at tWenty-three. which ne
threw up promptly to go back TO his law practice
at eighth the income. Such choice at that
passion for high aims If It not that his de-
to have S been SS ords hG
acting instinctveiy lofty premises.
in the administration of large business interests in
this city recently declared his preference for ME-
Taft as Presidential candidate on the ground mo
that 'he is the only who has been over the
II was shrewd and sagacious Judgment Think
Of the range of occgpatIonss that at haXe %
made him familiar with the vast property ne VIII
If elected have direct Prosecuting attorney or
his native state judge of a state court Solicitor
General of the United States circuit Judge of the
United States president of the Philippines commits
sion Secretary of War with the functions OF
colonial secretary. involving some Of the most i'm
nortant and delicate duties of diplomacy. the ad-
iustment of the friars claims in the archipelago
the organization of civil government there the res
cue of Cuba from civil war; and with II al the
work Of general adviser to the President on some
of the most trying questions of the time And
meanwhile the active and independent performance
of the duties private citizen in the affairs or
his party in state and nation.
Obviously this is very unusual career a very
remarkable record. yet the man who has achieved
II Is not the popular sense or In the popular es-
timation a heroic figure He has few enemies he
has many warm friends. he cannot be said TO have
a personal following. Men trust him most VINO
know him best and the people generally trust him
in proportion as they know him. But they do not
think of him a great leader. II is quite possi-
HE that he may out or two terms of the
Presidency with great advantage TO the country
and still they will not think of him in this llght
But great representative of his people he unques-
tionably is and of their best qualities their hdey
integrity courage, fairness. sound sense, whole
someness and strength. His past gives reasonaple
of this, which we are ConHueflt tile Iulue
will confirm and extend.