The Detroit times., 1909-02-23
WASHINGTON WAS
VICTORY OF HIGH
CHARACTER
FREEDOM FROM SMALL JEALOUS
les AND MARVELLOUS COMMON
SENSE CONTRIBUTED TO HIS
SUCCESS, SAYS TAFT.

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 22.-Speak'
Ing on the theme. Present relations
OF the learned professions 10 political
government" the Hon. VIM. Howard
Taft. president.elect OF the United
States. appeared in the role OF prln,
c.pal speaker before the University OF
Pennsylvania at the George Washing
ton commemorative exercises today.
Mr.. Taft discussed a, considerable
length the influences eXerted by the
professions upon public thought and
action. He took up eacn OF the pro-
fessions and outlined the part that
each has played In the upbuilding ol
the nation.
His address In part follows:
1t is the duty OF every citizen, no
matter what his professional business
or trade. 10 give as much attention as
he can To the public veal and TO take
Gs much interest as he can in political
matters. Americans generally have
recognized their duties, and the result
is that We And active in political life,
prominent In the Legislature and active
councils OF the government. men rep
resenting all profes sions. all branches
% business and all trades. Perhaps
the expression representing Is not
fortunate, because they are not elect
cd by guilds or professions or crafts
and they do not represent their fei-
lows ia The sense OF being required 10
look after their peculiar interests.
What | mean is that among public
men who enact laws and enforce then.
may be found those who In early lie
al least. have had experience in every
business, every craft and every PROBES
sion.
Law In Government.
With the exception perhaps OF the
profession Of arms, law has always
been in all countries most prominent
in political and governmental mat
ters. II was natural that the trainers
of the constitution which was 10 De
the fundamental law OF the land ana
anybody the limitations upon the cen
trail government deemed necessary IN
favor of the separate states, should De
those who knew the laws or the sep
arate states and who had the profes'
sional capacity OF drafting written
laws The creative function or the
lawyer as distinguished from his an
elytical function Is 10 put In written
and legal form the intention OF the
person or persons which he wishes 70
make effective: If il be that OF peo'
ple through the legislature. then IN
the form OF a statute; IL II be that OF
an agreement OF individuals then 10
the form OF written contract, II IL DC
the desire OF the executive, then In the
form of an executive order.
Now. | am far from being blind 70
the defects and weaknesses OF the pro
fession OF the law OF which | once had
the honor TO be a member. Lawyers
are frequently a conservative class
They adhere to the things that are
simply because they are, and reiuc'
family admit the necessity for change
In what | have said | have not
argued that the lawyer is necessarily
the leader OF public opinion. the ex'
ponent OF great reform, or that ne is
likely to fix the standards OF pubic
opinion in a moral awakening ana an
unfit OF business integrity. Such
leaders and opponents OF great moran
reforms are essential to our progress
They come from every profession and
walk in life.
Tribute to Washington.
National exigency seems 10 can