The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1909-02-25
is Told Of BY President-elect
Taft in Speech tho Uni
yersity Students.
WElGHTY INFLUENCE
Is Welded by Members Of
Professions, and All Have
Civic Obligations.

- 0ASO9ASAASt ssAASS 80 = - "
Civic Obligations.
PHILADELPHIA. Pa. Feb. e2--
Hon. William H. TAFT. president.
elect of the United States. today wa,
the principal speaker at the exer-
cises in the University OF Pennsylva,
MIA commemorative of the birth Of
Washington.
He chose for the subject OF his ad'
dress the 'sThe Present Relations OF
the Learned Profession to Political
Government" He discussed at CON
siderable length the influence which
the learned professions, in this day
have upon national and mu.
nicipal governments. He outlin-
ed luminously the part each OF the
important professions plays in gov.
eminent by the people and compar.
ed their influence. one with another
In brief. he said:
1T is the
Duty of Every Citizen
to give as much attention as he car
to the public veal, and to take ii.
much interes. as he can in politica
matters. Americans generally have
recognized these duties, and we fint
active in political life, men repre-
senting all professions, all branche.
of business and all trades. pro.
pose this morning to invite your at.
tention to the present relation Of
each of the learned professions tc
politics and governemnt.
The first profession is that of tn,
ministry. Time was when the minis
terry of the community was the high.
est authority as to what the Ian
Should be and how it ought to be en-.
forced; but the spread OF education
and
Independent Thinking,
the wide diffusion of knowledge by
the press, the disappearance of the
simple village lie. have contributed
radically to change the position and
influence of the ministry OF the com.
lmunity.
During the administration of Mr..
Roosevelt. and under the influence
of certain revelations of business
immortality, the conscience of the
whole country was shocked and
then nerved to. the point of demand.
ing that a 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 century. The
Greatest Agency
today in keeping us advised of the
conditions among Oriental races is
the establishment of foreign mis-.
sions. The leaders of these mission.
airy branches of the churches are be.
coming some of our most learned
statesmen In respect OF our proper
Oriental policies
Judge Taft, discussing teachers
said that their relation to politics
and government is of the utmost i'm
portance, though direct" He point
ed out that the professional teacher
may exercise great direct
Political Influence
by the encouragement that he oust
to give to the young man of college
age and life in the study and pur-
suit of politics."
To the writer. in whatever capac-
ity he may labor. Judge Taft attrib-
uted great influence, either for good
or bad. Referring to the newspaper
press he said:
Its power of public instruction
Is very great; but when 1t panders
to the vulgarest taste for sensation.
alism and becomes entirely ire
sponsible in its influence for good,
It's pernciious tendency is obviated
only by the power of the people TO
protect themselves against it by a
safe discrimination and a
Healthy skepticism.
Thu MI,
ism and politics, no one, who has
been. in the slightest degree familiar
with the course of popular gov
eminent, can ignore. The unjust
color sometimes given through
1aundiced editors and correspond
ents has an INJURIOUS effect, but for
tunately such injustice is generally