The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-05

believes it, and also because it rounds
full period, about the power of the
president of the United States, and
doubt not that after am out of office
I shall be able to look back and see
where l might have done things in
the exercise of power that would have
filed me with a consciousness of it,
but am bound to say that under ex-
listing circumstances the thing which
impresses me most is not the power
have to exercise under the constitu-
ton, but the limitations and restric-
lions to which I am subject under that
instrument.
But our forefathers builded we'll,
and they knew what they were doing;
and am not in favor even if it seems
to me that particular provision
ought to be omitted, of changing the
constitution every time you run
against the sharp edges of something
that indicates that you are only NOR
the constitution distrusted your hui
man nature. My friends, that leads
me up to one little sermon, and that is
the wisdom and necessity of following
the law as it exists. know that some
times in the ZeSt and enthusiasm of
reform there is an impatience with le-
gal limitations and statutes that seem
to be directed against the reform, or
to prevent it's immediate accomplish
ment, such as to lead us to disregard
~ VI ~ A6HOiC IL
First Change the Law.
Il do not think, and I am sure you
will agree with me, that that is the
best way of getting rid of legal linn
itation that interferes with progress.
The best way is to have the people I'M
derstand that that limitation ought to
conform so far as may be to our high
est ideals and ambitions; but that the
first thing that we have got to do after
arousing the people to the necessity
of change, is to change the law, and
not rely upon the executive himself
to ignore the statutes and follow a law
unto himself because it is supposed to
be the law of higher morality.
IF you depart in any way from the
law as it is, you enter upon a path
which, while entirely certain for one
issue in your mind with respect to the
higher mortal aim of your own soul and
that of your fellow citizens, you are
nevertheless being led into a wilderness
by which you cannot subsequently guide
your steps. Therefore let us first make
the laws to accord to our desires and
our ambitions. and then follow them
II have said that much because 1 have
Ecticed a tendency among some of our
best fellow citizens to hold the execu-
tive responsible for not doing a great
many things, that it is the business of
my friends in congress to lead the way
ard for the executive only to follow af-
ter they have laid down the rules. That
does not rid the executive OF the re-
sponsibility Of recommending changes
in the law, but it does prevent him from
going ahead and executing these
changes without the coordination ac-
ton of the two executive branches of
the government: and as 1 intend to rec
ommend a good many measures at the
rext meeting of congress, have taken
this method OF intimating to you where
the responsibility will be if those meas
ures do not pass"
The banquet in honor of President
Taft was in many respects the most
unique and sumptuous that the presi-
dent has encountered in all his travels.
Nearly every course was served on dish
es which were taken home by the $50
diners souvenirs
AS the president arose to speak 20
white doves were liberated over the
heads of the diners. Mayor George w.
of Savannah was toastmas-
ter and the speakers were as follows:
of welcome. Samuel B. Adams;
Georgia" Governor Joseph M. Brown;
1.-THE Army" Col. c. Kingman, y. S. A. !;
1.-The Navy" Admiral c. S. Sperry, U.
S. N; Savannah" Judge Walter G.
Chiffon; THE Press" General P w.
Meldrim; Woman Walter G. Hart
ridge.
The president at his own request
Ia