The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1909-02-22
TAFT POINTS OUT
DUTYOF CITIZENS
The President Elect Delivers Learned
Address Before the University
of Pennsylvania.
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
Philadelphia, Pa, Feb 22-Hon.
William H. Taft, president-eect Of the
United States, today was the princi-
a pal speaker at the exercises in the
University of Pennsylvania commem-
orative of the birth of Washington.
He chose for the. subject of his ad-
dress the Present Relations of the
Learned Professions to Political Gov
enment" He discussed at consider
able length the influence which the
learned professions, in this day, have
upon national and municipal govern
ment lie outlined luminously the
part each of the important professions
play in a government by the people
and compared their influence one with
another In brief part, he said.
1T is the duty of every citizen 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
these duties, and we find active in
political life, men representing all pro-
fessions, all branches Of business and
all trades. / propose this morning to
invite your attention to the present
relation Of each of the learned pro
fessions to politics and government.
The first profession is that of the
ministry Time was when the minis
ter of the community was the highest
authority as to what the law should
be and how it ought to be enforced;
but the spread of education and in
dependent thinking, the diffusion Of
knowledge by the press, the disappear
ance of the simple village life have
contributed radically to change the
position and influence of the minis
try in the community
During the administration of Mr..
Roosevelt, and under the influence of
certain revelations Of business inn
morality, the conscience of the whole
country was shocked and then nery-
ed to the point of demanding that
better order of affairs be introduced.
In this movement, the ministers of the
various churches have recognized the
call upon them to assist, and they
have been heard in accents much
more effective than ever before in
half a century The greatest agency
today in keeping us advised of the
conditions among Oriental races is the
establishment Of foreign missions.
The leaders Of these missionary
branches of the churches are becom-
ing some of out most learned states
men in respect to our proper Oriental
policies"
Judge Taft, discussing teachers
said that their relation to politics and
government is of the utmost impor-
ance, though indirect" He pointed
out that the professional teacher may
exercise great indirect political infiu-
ence by the encouragement that he
ought to give to the young man of
college age and life in the study and
pursuit of politics"
To the writer, in whatever capacity
he may labor Judge Taft attributed
great influence, either for good or for
bad Referring to the newspaper press
he said. Its power of public instruc-
tion is very great. but when it pan
ders to the vulgarest taste for sensa
tionalism and becomes entirely irres-
Donsible in its influence for good its
pernicious tendency is obviated only
by the power of the people to protect
themselves against it by a safe dis
elimination and healthy skepticism.
The close relation between journal |
ism and politics. no one who has been
in the slightest degree familiar with
the course of a popular government, |
can ignore The unjust color some !
times given through jaundiced credi- !
tors and correspondents has an injur-
ious effect. but fortunately such in |
Justice is generally remedied.
Judge Taft paid a high tribute to
the profession of medicine. because |
il had contributed TO the preservation |
of the health Of all the people. He |
pointed out that the profession had |
been exalted by its great discoveries |
and by its assistance in the expansion |
of our government in the tropics and /
in the construction of the Panama |
Canal
After mentioning the great good. in |
actual results, accomplished by many /
technical professions. Judge Taft con-
sidered in extent the profession of law
which. he said. lis in a wide sense the /
profession of government" He said !
that lawyers often were selected to
carry on governmental work, because
the executive faculty was a very mark
ed attribute of the modern lawyer.
While he realized that there were de-
fects and weakness in the profession
of the law. he regarded it as the most
important in its relation to political
government In conclusion. he said. !
National exigency seems to call forth