The Washington herald., 1909-07-18
HIGH TRIBUTE TO TAFT.
EuIoEized at n Meeting OF Americans
at Lueerne, Switzerland.

at Lucerne, Switzerland.
Lucerne, Switzerland, July AT noon
at the large annual banquet given BY
Americans 70 celebrate the anniversary
Of the independence OF the United States.
NIr. Louis Lombard. Of Trevano Castle
and New York City. responded as, follows
70 the toast "Our President"
Mr.. President. Ladies and Gentlemen:
on this Independence Day we are glad
not alone because our country is AT peace
within and without. not alone because
our affairs are prosperous and our crops
promising; We also rejoice because we
have a President who is as good as be is
great
Although barely one-third Of a yeas g.
the White House. Mr. Taft has already
given evidence Of much work and little
noise. Last winter / had the opportunity
Of observing him at close range. at a prl-
vate meeting and at his brothers house
in Cincinnati The good opinion I had
formed at a distance simply through the
knowledge of his achievements on the
bench. IN the Cabinet. IN the Philippines.
and In Cuba. was emphasized by his per
sonal presence-by the sweetness Of hts
voice. the affability Of his manners. tie
heartlness Of his laughter. his quick wl1.
his simple expression Of clear ideas. and
by his proverbial smile - thar fnexrin-
guishable sun ray and invaluable cam
paign asset
President Taft is so modest, 50 agree
able, 50 conciHatory. one might fear he
Is TOO good nasured % III a post Oft
times demanding The exercise OF Qualities
quite opposed 20 these. There need. now
ever. be no apprehension on that score.
When required his smile can turn into a
frown that is freezing; the benign Dh,-si-
ognomy seems then but a siIken glove
over the lions paw. But this happens
only In extraordinary circunstapoes-
usually be smiles even when SAYING No
Alr- Taft respects every ones views. Il
honest and harmless. He believes m PARTY
organization out above being the Repub-
mean ne .s ever the American. He Ecorns
oigotry IN religion as he does sectional
isin ~ national affairs And as q result
Of his broadmindedIess see In whar
esteem he Is held BY the South; no Re
publican President has ever. been more he
-~'~- ---~- e. -NNNe TIE AlAl regard all
creeds haze for him Can even those OF
other political parties IN their hearts OF
hearts dislike that sage and impartial
President % al the peoplee lie ts SO
thoughuul and tactful that one cannot
conceive how be could err seriously IN
foreign matters. for his relations with ali
rlen. whatever be their flag. VIII always
be characterized by Justice and gensr-
oslty. He IS so consiGerate and upright
that &c cannot be imagined be win ever
have among US an honest and intelligent
enemy Fortunate, indeed. IS the nation
that mas such a ruler.
our Presidents executive ability. fu-
dicial poise governmental experiences. and
kindly feelings for al hts feIlow-citizens
are guarantee OF peace 20 our land
Yet. with these qualifications alone. al
though rare enough. he might fan % 10
the utmost good were he 20 neglect OppOr-
tunities for the expansion 0r our inter
national commerce. HIS active and prac-
teal interest in that line has already
shown good results in the far East
NO President OF the United States was
ever so wei prepared for his complex
task, and, therefore. I an convinced. as
IS every right-thinking American. that
Mr.. Taft vii give Us the best admlnisIra-
ton IN our history"