Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-06-18

- INV SAAOVAAA6 vASAOA Va -
better and a greater America. They
have not been satisfied that the
temple Of prosperity should be
decked alone by the jewels of the
fortunate and the opulent. but have
insisted that it should still more
abound in trophies which commem-
crate the enforcement Of even
handed justice and the maintenance
OF that equal opportunity which
spreads hope and blessing even to
the humblest home. Since the day
when, less than 80 years Of age. Mr..
Taft denounced. with burning
words. member of his profession
who had been guilty of flagrantly
| vicious practices and had democrat
led the community. he has ever
been associated with the cause of
| true reform-with that reform
which will not content itself with
academic dissertation or hollow
words. He has been imbued with
the spirit of action. His advocacy
OF sounder conditions has never
arisen from a desire for the exploit
tation of himself. 1t has always
| been based upon answering intes-
rity and the courage to speak the
truth, as he understands 1t, on all
/ occasions. no matter how influen-
tial or powerful the evils which he
i, may attack.
No one has ever yet assumed the
presidential chair who had received
more ideal preparation for the du-
ties of that great Office. AS Judge of
the state and federal courts, as So
licitor general. as governor OF the
| Philippines, as secretary of war,
which has included the work Of CO.
lonial secretary and director Of ma
tional public works, he has receiv-
ed his training and has always
| shown himself master of the situa-
ton and competent to make more
honorable and beloved the Ameri-
| can name. There have been no
| years Of inaction In his career. He
has been continuously engaged in
weighty tasks, and each successive
service has beJ1 characterized by
an increasing influence upon most
vital questions.
In our domestic affairs, in what
ever position he has held, he has
displayed the rare union OF Judi
cial temperament with an unsur-
passed gift for administrative man
agement. To him belongs the ex-
!, tremely valuable faculty OF elimi-
mating the nonessential from COM
, plicated problems and going direct
ly to their substance. His capacity
for work is enormous, yet quite as
I helpful is his equable temperament
. ances of life to distract or hamper
I him. Although of an aggressive per-
, sonality, he possesses an infinite
, good nature, charm of manner ant
poise which have made him 8
model for exalted station. In the
final analysis even the highest ON
= cials must be Judged as men. and
, undr this criterion Secretary Taft II
now and will ever be known for hi
broad sympathies with every grade
I OF humanity and as one invariably
actuated by that democratic spirit
which should characterize a progress
sive American. And yet no one can
for a moment hesitate to recognize
his severity in dealing with wrong.
doing. While no honest enterprise
need fear him. no dishonest scheme
could hop to hide its face from the
light or to escape punishment.
More than any other Of our pub.
lie men he has had to do with oui
outlying dependencies and colonial
relations. It was he who took In
charge the prosecution of that CO.
lossal enterprise on the Isthmus. the
canal uniting the lesser and thu
a greater oceans, and under his d.
, recting hand the completion of THU
!, most stupendous Of public works II
no longer a vague and distant hope
! but an imminent reality. With hi
q ever-ready skill as a pacificator. HI
, restored tranquility in tht fertile
o island of Cuba. SO often distracted
by civil strife. In the far-off Phil
\ ippines, under blazing trOpica
Z sky, he found a people OF man!
r races and tribes. degraded by cen
q turtles of misrule and oppression
4 and there too he not only establish
ed the rule of law and local contro
\ in place of confusion and b'oodl
: strife. but showed the way to sell
n government and a new recognition
: of the rights of man. For people
e and races, like individuals. dnde
n the inspiration of a friendly guide
e may lift their faces heavenward ant
: seek to climb the great worlds al
e tar stairs to nobler heights OF hoer
8 tv and opportunity. II is to his last
@ ing honor that his desire was not u
no known as Taft, the PrO-Con