New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-02-23
LEARNING IN POLITICS
H. H. T4FT'S ADDRESS ~
STUDENTS OF L. OF f.
prcs;denf-Elcct Discusses Relations
of Professional Men to the
Government.

Pb,ladelphia Feb 22-Wiliiam II. TAFT, Pres
s5ent-elect II the United States was the prlh-
einsI speaker to-day at the exercises IN me I'M
,,s-.itv Of Pennsylvania. commemorative Of The
birth OF washington
The subiec; Of his address was the Present
Relations Of the Learned Professions TO Political
Government" He outlined the part which each
OF the important professions has in govern
-nent by the people and compared their influ-
ence. He said in part:
Ladies and Gentlemen: II is the duty Of every
citizen. no matter what his profession. business
or trade. 20 give as much attention as ne can 70
the public veal. and 20 take much interest
as he can in political matters Americans seheT-
ally have recognized these duties. and the result
is that find active in political NE prominent
=, fbe legislative ard executive councils OF the
government. men representing all PROFESSIONS.
sll branches of business and all trades Per-
hsps the expression representing" is not fort
innate because they are not elected by gullds
CT professions crafts. and they do not repre-
sent their fellows in the sense OF being required
10 look after their peculiar interests what
mean is that among public men who enact laws
and enforce them may De fouhu NOSE " no III
early life, least, have had experience IN every
business. every craft and every profession
Nevertheless. political ard governmental ne
eessifies change. they have q tendency TO IN
crease the number taken from one profession OF
another for that can be distinctly traced;
and propose this morning TO invite your az
tentfon 70 the present relation Of each Of the
learned professions TO politics and government.
Il seems TO me that such a subject may Ven
interest
academic career and are looking about TO select
q profession for themselves
THE MINISTRY.
The first profession is that Of the ministry
Time was in New England. and in every other
rsrt Of the country under the influence Of its
traditions when the minister of the Congrega-
tional Church. in addition 10 that Of his sacred
Office, exercised most powerful influence, which
was Of a distinctly political character
Great changes have come over our methods or
fife since thst day. Then the ministry because
of the rewards IN the way 81 influence, power
and prominence. attracted the abieSt OF edu-
Gated minds and the ability and force OF CHAR
acter were where power and influence resided
But the spread of education and Independent
thinking. the wide diffusion Of knowledge ana
news by the press. the enormous material de-
velapreenf OF The country the vast increase in
wealth. the increase in rewards and influence OF
other vacations the disappearance Of the SIM
PIE village life have ali contributed 10 change
radically the position and influence OF the min
izt-v in the community. To-day IL is not true
that that profession attracts the ablest Young
men and this, ! think is a distinct loss TO our
society. for it is OF the utmost importance that
the profession whose peculiar duty II is to main
tain high moral standards and TO arouse the best
that there is in man. 10 stir him to higher
pirstions. should have the genius and brilliancy
with which successfully TO carry out this func-
ton OF course, the profession of ministry IS
sr5ppossd 70 have 20 do largely with the kingdom
Of the next world rather than with this. and
many people expect TO find in the representa-
rives 81 the profession only another worldliness
anu 10 thought Of this. This s,.of course. the
nsrrowest view Of the profession. Whatever the
obligation 10 make the best Of this, and the min
listers should be the cflisI Instruments in making
i possible separate politics from the lives Of
the community There cannot be general per
Eonal and social business morality and political
immortality 81 the same time The latter will
ultimately debsuch the whole community.
EFFECT OK BUSINESS MORALITY
During the administration Of Mr.. Roosevelt,
and under the influence Of certain revelations
Of business immore litv the conscience OF the
whole country shocked and then nerved 70
she point Of deman d.ng that better order of
affairs be introduced In this movement the min
listers Of the various churches have recognized
the call upon them TO assist. ard they have been
heard the country in accents much more
effective than ever before in half q century.
They have not al always been discreet They
have sometimes attempted 10 make the moral
reforms BIZ law wider than practical experience
would Justify. Indeed. the tendency OF some
ministers in taking part in politics and seeking
governmental reform is 70 demand too close
realization Of their ideals and an unwillingness
cided progress toward others This is a limita-
ton upon their usefulness.
In two WAYS the minister is becoming more
closely in touch with politics and governmental
zrairs. In the first place the modern tendency
Of government is pateTnai Individualism is not
dead but the laissez fare school does not have
its earnest and consistently rigid adherents
as Il did wears ago We all recognize. 1 think.
or least most Of do. that there is certain
aid there is certain protection. thar the govern
rnent is in duty bound acting for all the people,
10 extend a smaller number of the people
wfuse circumstances and condition forbid their