New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-10-25
TAFT ON HIS OFFICE
HIS SERMON ABOUT 1T.
Says the President Is Blamed
When Things Go Wrong.

Little Rock, Ark. Oct 24.-Presldent Taft
left Texas this afternoon. after spending
nine days I'm that state. and is speeding to-
night toward ST. Louis. where he should
arrive tomorrow morning.
With a formal breakfast, speech in the
st. Louis Auditorium, a luncheon and the
dedication of a government building In
East ST. Louis before him, the President
will have every moment of his time occu-
pied UP TO tomorrow evening Then. on
the steamer Oleander. he will lead pro-
cession of boats containing governors, SEN
stors and representatives down the Mis-
sissfppi River to New Orleans to attend the
convention OF the Lakes-to-the-GuH Deep
Waterways Association.
Mr.. Taft's voice this morning showed no
Improvement. and after he had made few
short addresses in Texas and Arkansas he
was almost exhausted. The President
physician is at work on the Executives
vocal cords in the hope OF having them in
some sort of shape for the Auditorium
speech I'm st. Louis tomorrow. There is
little hope for permanent improvement,
however, short of three or four days.
The President left Dallas at o'clock this
morning and during the day stopped at
Forney, Terrell, Willspoint, LOngview and
Marshall before crossing the Texas line at
Texarkana, where the train was halted
partly in Texas and partly in Arkansas
A delegation of sixty citizens of Arkansas
headed by Govcrpor Donaghey, General
Powell Clayton, United States Senator
Clarke and Others. met the President at
TeXarkana and had their two cars at
tached to his train.
There was an immense crowd at Texar
kama, but the Presidents voice had so far
failed that he could only say word or
two in appreciation of his welcome. The
Presidents train arrived in Little Rock
shortly after o'clock and left for st. Louis
ten minutes later, His voice had somewhat
improved. and he spoke briefly at Little
Rock.
At Terrell. Tex, this morning. the Presi-
dent spoke to a throng Of eager Sunday
school pupils and delivered something like
his usual Sunday sermon. He said:
1 rather think that you believe the
PRESIDENT has more power than he really
has. He is a sort of figurehead for the
nation for four years. He is kind OF
man that they blame everything for If 1t
goes wrong, and If it goes right he does
not get any credit for 1t. But, my chill
dren. If you permit me to call you such,
the American flag represents the sover-
elnghty Of your country, and the reason
why you are here this morning to see me
L
Executive of the United States and as
such Tor that time represent the sover-
eighty or the nation, and am entitled, so
long as l conduct myself properly, to
your respect as the head OF the nation.
In -FOUR years shall step down and out
ana won't be entitled to your respect
any more than any other citizen, but for
me tme being l am at the head OF the
nauon. and therefore regard you as loyal
come to see me on that account. l doubt
II your 1athers had much to do with my
seiectlon But sometimes, in a republic
you have to submit to things you cannot
help and you have to get along the best
way you can with bad job.
, 1ou nVe on agriculture. l sincerely hone
that you are not growing up with the idea
tlal II is your business to go into the
towns and cities. The future of the Amer
icdh ooy' IN my Judgment is largely in
VOWED In his pursuing the science and pro
fession of the farmer The results Of eco
nomic, scientific, businesslike farming are
more profitable than any other trade or
PROFESSION, and when you look forward Just
consider that you are going TO make this
the rose
The tendency toward the CITY is not one
that we ought to encourage. 1 hope that
the development OF the comforts of country
lie is such that we may look forward now
large cities. The place for US to accomplish
things is il the country. The cities will
take care Of themselves.
Now, my boys and girls l did not come
out here to deliver an address. If l had
not taken all the voice l had TO speak to
the people OF Houston and Dallas, I should
be glad to continue longer l hope that
as you grow to manhood you may look
back to this occasion and remember the
first President of the United States whom
you have seen. and that you Will remember
him as q don't want you TO remember him
as a person, as a large. rotund NAM the
representative of that sovereignty OF the
nation which IL is your duty, and, / doubt
not, your pleasure, always TO love and re-
spect.