The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1908-10-17
RELIGIOUS FIGHT
ON TAFT A FAILURE
Desperate Attempt by Opposition
to Stir Up Pre- judice Proves
Boomerang.
Clergymen Of All Denominations
Rush to the Defense of Judge
Taft and His Attitude
Toward Religion.

Toward Religion.
The effort to arouse prejudice against
William II. Taft because of his rels-
ious belief has. in the opinion of the
campaign managers, not only proved a
failure, but has had a sautary effect.
Tor many cersymen of prominence have
hastened to express their confidence in
the high religious standing of the Re
publican candidate. The attack on re-
IlSlous grounds began long before the
candidate was nominated. when friends
or one OF the "allies" sought to spread
the report that Mrs Taft was a Cath
one. Inc story was widely told, but it
never gained much credenCe 1t was
too well known that Mrs. Taft was an
Episcopalian and regular attendant
at st. Johns Church in Washington,
where only year ago her daughter.
Miss Helen, was confirmed in that
faith.
After the nomination the attack was
renewed from a wholly different quar-
ter and was based on the ground that
Mr.. Taft was Unitarian. When this
| report was brought to the attention Of
Mr.. Taft, who has been conspicuous for
| his breadth of view in religious mat
| tiers and the assistance which he has
rendered on every opportunity to Chris
tan ministers and missionaries of ev-
| cry denomination, he became indignant
! and refused to defend his creed
This method of attack has proved a
! boomerang. and many Christian minis
! tiers, indignant at the character Of the
| articles and editorials published on the
| subject, have FASTENED to testify to
| their full confidence in the high char
acter and deep religious conviction Of
| the Republican candidate.
Praise from Bishop FaIIow..
One of the most notable declarations
| Of this character was that Of Bishop
| Samuel Fallows Of the Reformed Epis-
| copal Church Of Chicago, who declared
from the rostrum at Toledo his high
| opinion Of Mr.. Taft, saying in part
He is easily master among all tho
masterful men who are to-day controll-
| ing the governments Of the earth. He
| is deeply religious. without a trace Of
| bigotry, fearing God and working right
eousness as did the two Adamses and
Abraham Lincoln. He is equally the
| friend OF capital and labor, as every
| President should be. l can aver with
out fear OF successful contradiction that
no man ever came before the American
| people for the highest honor in their
gift, the proudest political position
known to man, so thoroughly prepared
to meet its weghty responsibilities as
Mr.. Taft. He is broad in the back,
broad in the brow and broad in the
heart"
Like testimonials have come from
many other prominent clergymen. tCS-
timonials, which might, perhaps, in
many instances, never have been yolun-
tccred but for the attacks to which the
candidate has been subjected from GER
| tain quarters, and on grounds concern
ing which clergymen are most compe-
| tent to speak.
The Rev. DR.. shorts Tribute.
In a recent public address the most
Rev. John Ireland, Catholic Archbishop
Of St Paul, took occasion to pay high
tribute TO Mr.. Taft's high character and
pre- eminent fitness for the great office
for which he IS candidate, and only
today the Rev. DR.. Francis Bursetts
Short, n leading Methodist clergyman
| Of Salt Lake City, paid tribute to Mr..
Taft in these words:
Judge Taft surely occupies con-
spicuous place in both the ethical and
religious world lie is eminently fitted.
both in character and practice, to occu-
ny the highest office in our land. His
efforts 10 raise a high standard Of life
at home, his interest in and solicitude
for the nations across the sea mark
him as a man OF sane religious visions
and desire Such 4 man this nation
needs and requires at its head, If we
continue 10 hold the undivided admira-
ton OF those at home and those abroad.
Such a man we must have IL we would
make history that is gloriously humane.
| No place here for the visionary, but a
large and fitting place for a prophet,
! and for one whose genius and expert
| ence and heart have directed difficult
| tasks 10 most successful elimination.
! our President must be a master in the
| art Of statccraft. lie must be able at
times 10 stand like Gibraltar and yet
he must haze a heart as human IS a
4 babe
such a man, and much more. Is that
scholar and genius and statesman and
patriotic citizen. William Howard Taft
He surely merits the support Of all
high minded citizens, for we recognize
that be has given his entire influence
toward the better development Of 4
/ higher Christian civilization both at
/ home and abroad