The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1909-02-22
TAFT ON LEARN
ID PROFESSIONS
PRESIDENT-ELECT MADE SPEECH
AT PHILADELPHIA AT EXER-
CISES IN COMMEMORATION OF
WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY.
Obi Associated Press. }


Philadelphia, Pa, Feb. 22.-Hon
William H. Taft today was the prin-
cipal speaker at the exercises in the
University of Pennsylvania, comment
orative of the birth of washington.
He chose for the subject of his al
dress the Present Relations of the
Learned Professions to Political
Government" He discussed at con-
siderable length the influence which
the learned professions in this day,
have upon national and municipal
government. He outlined luminous
ly the part each of the important pro-
LESSONS plays in government by
the people and compared their inf1u-
ence one with another. In brief, he
said:
''It 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
professions, all branches of business
and all trades. I propose this morn
ing to invite your attention to the
present relation of each of the learn
ed professions to politics and govern
ment.
''The first profession is that of the
ministry Time was when the min
lister of the community was the high
est authority as to what the law
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 vii
lage life. have contributed radically
to change the position and influence
of the ministry in the community.
During the administration of Mr..
Roosevelt, and under the influence of
certain revelations of business i'm
morality. the conscience of the whole
country was shocked and then nerved
to the point OF demanding that a bet
ter order Of affairs be introduced. In
this movement, the ministers of the
various churches have recognized the
call upon them to assist, and they
rI in,
mere effective than ever before in
half y century. The greatest agency
today Of keeping us advised of the
conditions among Oriental races is
tie establishment of foreign missions
The leaders of these missionary
branches of the churches are becom-
ing some of our most learned states
men in respect of our proper Oriental
policies"
Mr.. Taft said, discussing teachers,
that their relation to politics ard
government is of the utmost impor-
lance, though indirect" He pointed
out that the professional teache.'
may exercise great indirect political
influence by the encouragement that
he ought to give to the young mai,
of college life and age 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
bad Referring to the newspaper
press he said: cts power of public
instruction is very great; but when
it panders to the vulgarest taste for
sensationalism and becomes entirely
irresponsible in it's influence for good,
it's pernicious tendency is obviated
only by the power of the people to
protect themselves against it by a
safe discrimination and healthy
skepticism The close relation be-
tween journalism and politics, no one
who has been in the slightest degree
familiar with the course of popular
government, can ignore. The unjust
color sometimes given through jaun-
diced editors and correspondents has
an injurious effect, but fortunately
such injustice is generally remedfed.'
Judge Taft paid a high tribute -
the profession of medicine, because
it had contributed to the preservation
of the health of all the people He