The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-02-22
WASH|NGTON'S 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 To political
government, the Hon. VIM. Howard
Taft, prcsident.elect OF the United
States. appeared In the role OF prin-
opal speaker before the University OF
Pennsylvania at the George Washing
ton commemorative exercises today.
Mr.. Taft discussed at considerable
length the Influences exerted by tho
professions upon public thought and
action. He took up each OF the pro-
LESSONS and outlined the part that
each has played In the upbuilding OF
the nation.
His address In part follows
III is the duty of every citizen, no
matter what his professional business
or trade. TO give as much attention as
he can To the public veal and to take
as much interest as he can In political
matters. Americans generally have
recognized their duties. and the result
Is that we find active in political life,
prominent in the legislature and active
councils of the government, men rep
Iesenting all professions, all branches
oe business and all trades. Perhaps
the expression representing Is not
fortunate, because they are not elect
CO by guilds or professions OF crafts
and they do not represent their fel.
lows ia the sense of Icing required TO
look after their peculiar interests.
What | mean is that among public
men who enact laws and enforce them
may be found those who In early life
at least, have had experience In every
business, every craft and every profes'
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
tiers. IL was natural that the trainers
of the constitution which was to be
the fundamental law of the land and
embody the limitations upon the cen
trail government deemed necessary Ia
favor OF the separate states. should be
those who knew the laws of the sep
srate states and who had the profess
sional capacity OF drafting written
laws. The creative function OF the
lawyer as distinguished from his an
alytical function Is TO. put in written
and legal form the intention or the
person or persons which he wishes To
make effective: If It be that OF peo-
pie through the legislature. then In
the form OF statute; IL II be that OK
an agreement OF individuals then In
the form OF written contract, II 1t be
the desire OF the executive. then In the
form OF an executive order.
Now, | am far from being blind TO
the defects and weaknesses OF the pro-
fession Of the law of which | once had
the honor to be a member. Lawyers
ere frequently conservative class.
They adhere TO the things that are
simply because they are, and reluc-
family admit the necessity for change
I'm 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 Ak the standards OF public
opinion In a moral awakening and an
unfit OF business integrity. Such
leaders and opponents OF great moral
reforms are essential to our progress
They come from every profession and
walk in life.
Tribute to Washington.
National exigency seems TO call
forth. as II by aid or special prov
oence men peculiarly fitted to mt the
requirements of the situation. Sueh
we're Lincoln and Grant during inc
great civil war. Such in the revolu-
ton was Washington, the anniversary
of whose birthday this anniversary ap-
propriately makes its festal day. he
was not lawyer or doctor or min
lister He was a surveyor and farmer.
as a student OF military science only III
the hard school Of experience. his pro-
fession may be said to have been
more OF arms. Not brilliant, not IA
cile. not eloquent. he had those quail
ties which placed him far above the
brilliant. facile, able and learned men
who were gathered about him in the
struggle for American independence.
He was a leader OF men. His pure,
disinterested patriotism. his freedom
from small jealousies. his marvellous
common sense, his indomitable perse-
verance and patience and his serenity
and calm under the most trying cir
cumstances. gave him the victory-a
victory which could be traced not To
brilliant genius or professional train.
ing. but to that which OF all things Is
the most to be pursued and desired
TO his high character as man"