The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-06-23
IDEALS OF MR. TAFT
HE OUTLINES HTS CONCEPTION OF
 THE PRESIDENCY.
Roosevelt, He Thiakn, Has Met the Re- Qutrements and He Proposes
 to Be .Me-Tooy im Waite H0asae


 New York, June 22sg-Secretary Will liam H. Taft has written the following article on his conception of the Presl- dency for the current Issue of Golfers Weekly.
 "In the four years that have been a member of the cabinet have be- come familiar enough with the respon- sibilities and burdens of the PresI- dency to know that no man can afford unduly to seek that great office. If he Is attracted by honor and power alone without the hope of being useful, he Is unworthy of the honor and unit for the use of the power. He must prefer for the sake of his own peace of mind never to be President, to being a poor President.
 If he is confident that the platform on which he stands Is for the best in- terests of the nation, he is untrue to himself and his supporters If he does not fight valiahtly for election after he accepts the leadership. But, of course, he must draw the line at any compact which will not leave him free of promises aud of the control of any faction.
 The Presidents duties, clearly out lined by the constitution have grown broader in their interpretation with tn e growth of the country. He should be Tn the prime of years, health and wig or. The capacity for hard work Is a better equipment than genius in mas terlng the essentials of all the depart ments of the government and under going the strain of countless inter- views. He should look not only to those In office but to those out of of- flee in all branches of private activ- 4ty for information and opinion in or- der that he may arrive at the truth when he Is surrounded by the conflict Of interests which come to him with the fair words of the special p1eader.
 ''In many senses though the most sought-afte he is the loneliest man In the United States. Elected directly by the people their representative head, from them in the sober thought of the majority. he will get his best counsel. Though indifference or preoccupation with private affairs may keep them from attending primaries or scanning closely the other candidates or meas ares. they can center on the President as their instrument. the expression of their wishes. He should be always near the people in thought and as near them in person as his position win per tuft.
 "In common with the people he Is human and he must ask their charity for his mistakes. When they have ceased to believe in his sincerity and uprightness, his purpose is a cheerless task. Once convinced that he has di' vlned and is carrying out their real wish. neither elated by an outburst of applause nor diverted by any outburst of censure, he must proceed unwayer- lngly. always by lawful methods, to the accomplishment of the popular will
 Prom Washington he may learn mo- blllty. forttude and righteousness. Lincoln's life and speeches must be his oF In fybap h, fa r,tn understood and he has to say to him. self patience and cheer It is easier since we had Lincoln than 1t was be- fore. to be a good President. He set a standard.
 Tt remained for Roosevelt to prove how the people will respond to a strong and true leadership when the hour has come for great reforms. The policies which he inaugurated must be contin- ned and developed They are right and they are the policies of the people. For that reason his successor may well dis regard any charge of lack of original fly if he does not make an entirely new program of his own.
 "A President at thls time has work before him clearly defined. The en. forcement of the law, equally against nigh and low the powerful and the waak should be his first thought. The danger to our country from laxity or fayorltlsm in this Is the greatest one we have 70 face. The conservation of o,,r national resources and their deyel- opnent for the use of all along the lines of equal opportunity. too. must command his immediate attention.
 ''Tt should be his aim to give high ,ora to his Administration. as Presi- Sant Roosevelt has. by surrounding bin,sef with men of prominence en- tbusIasn for public Interest and of inc cleanest and most effective meth ods."