New-York tribune., 1908-09-28
PRAISES Y. M. 6. Il. WORK.
Judge Taft Speaks of Grorcth of
Religious Tolerance.
TBy Telegraph to The Tribune.I ]


Minneapolis Sept 27.-This afternoon Judge
Taft went by automobile to St. Paul, where he
made the principal address at the dedication of
that city's new Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton building In his speech he congratulated
the organization the fact that it was run on
strictly business principles, and said he hoped
this would continue TO be the case He also
said that he glad to see that the Young
Mems Christian Association was a means cf
spreading spirit of greater tolerance regarding
the various denominations Of Christianity
This evening he delivered speech foreign
missions at the Fowler Mission of this city. OF
this church the Rev. ]. Wesley Hill. now Judge
Taft's speaking companion on the tour.
once pastor.
The candidates voice is almost back to normal
now. and his physician. DR.. Richardson. does
not believe he will have any further trouble
with it TIE party will leave here at ) O'Clock
to morrow for run through Minnesota and into
South Dakota. following closely in Mr.. Bryan's
track
Mr. Taft began his Young Mems Christian
Association speech by saying that ne had grown
into the habit Of talking to audiences at the
dedicatory exercises Of new Young Mems Chris
tian Association buildings. He had taken part
in such exercises at Dayton, Omaha. Seattle
Shanghai. Hong Kong. Springfield. Mass. Ma
Mia and the Isthmus OF Panama
I don't think" he said, that there is any in
stitution outside of churches and schools that
does more work of directly beneficial character
in strengthening the moral fibre of young men.
in guiding them into proper and successful paths
in life, and in making them good, moral Chris
tian citizens than this association whose mag
nifcent building we dedicate to-day"
Continuing he said:
AID TO YOUNG MEN.
have known wealthy men. anxious to give but
uncertain where and how TO give who devote a
great deal Of time conscientiously investigat-
ing the objects Of their charity, but who make
d dismal failure of it The truth is great deal
of harm has been done in the community by III
advised generosity as much as there has been
harm done in a business way by i'll advised in
vestments. and when they have before them n
ever expanding practical instrument fer the
distribution of funds to aid in a sensible. direct
way, such is the Young Mems Christian As
sOCiation, they ought to improve the opportunity
They can be sure that the moner thus expended
viii aid struggling young men to resist temp
tation
1t will aid them in economical living: it will
aid them in many direct ways to overcome the
obstacles Of poverty and slow progress and it
Will aid all Of them without pauperizing them,
without robbing them Of their self-respeCt. al
ways holding before them the prospect Of 4
brighter future and the certainty of success in
life in the building up OF Christian character.
emitting them TO the good Will OF their neigh
bors and good standing in the community
generally.
Another feature of the Young Mems Christian
Association that appealed to him. Mr. Taft said,
was its ncn-sectartan character and its spirit Of
tolerance Speaking OF the growth Of religious
tolerance he said:
have in mind an instance Of the growth Of
religious tolerance that I venture 10 bring 10
your attention. In the reorganization Of the
Government in the Philippines il became neces-
sary to transfer the sovereignty Of Spain-in-
extriCably bound up with the Roman Catholic
Church in charities, in schools in business and
otherwise-to a subordinate government Of the
United States in which. under our system. the
church rnuSt be entirely separate from the
State II seemed impossible to find any one
with sufficient authority in the islands effect
a proper settlement of these matters and Il
proposed to send an agent Of the government 10
the head Of the Roman Catholic Church to Sc
cure some authoritative agency by which the
result desired could be obtained.
The President and Mr.. Root were anxious TO
bring this about, but they hesitated. reluctant
10 arouse any. sectional feeling against course
which seemed to recognize the head of the
Roman Catholic Church with whom
could have diplomatic relations. something con-
trary to the precedents in our government since
It's beginning. Accordingly, they consulted the
ministers of most of the leading Protestant
churches explained the difficulties arising and
the necessity for the action proposed, and pro-
cured from them assurances that they would
stand by the government in taking the very
common sense course-the American course or
dealing with the man who had the authority 10
act-and I designated the agent Of the
government.
vent TO Rome and effected general under
standing as what TO be done. and was
prepared when the Apostolic Delegate came to
the Philippines to close with him, after great
deal OF negotiation, the contracts OF the settle
ment which do not think IL too much to say
brought about result which just both 10
the Church and 10 the people OF the islands and
10 The government Of The United States In the
jurisdiction I venture 10 think that but for the
spirit Of tolerance, both the part Of the Prot
estant denomina tions and the Roman Catholic
Church that now prevails in this country such
a result could not have been obtained. II is due
10 the spirit OF Christian tolerance, and IT is a
condition in which we should all rejoice.
Now the Young Mems Christian Association
with no denominationaI distinction has done