Evening star., 1909-02-22

dent-elect TaftS address to the students
of the University of PENNSYLVANIA in their
commencement exercises today was on
the relation of the professions to politics
He pointed out that because of the grow
ing tendency toward a paternal form of
government professional men were find
ing an increasing number of places for
themselves in the administration Of the
country.
IaklnG up first the ministry, he recalled
the period when the clergymen, and par
t1cularly the Congregational ministers,
were the chief advisers in the making
of the countrys laws. Now, because of
changed conditions of life, he said, this
Is no longer the case. He expressed re-
gret that the ministry could not be said
now to attract the ablest young men to
its ranks
Mr.. Taft spoke Of the moral awaken
ing In the country that he said had come
In Mr.. RoOsevelts administration, and
of the recognition by the ministers that
it was their duty TO assist in the reforms
started. They had Il tendency. however,
to demand too much. he said. to ask too
close d realization Of their ideals which
put a limitation on their usefulness. In
a paternalistic government. however. they
had their place. as in the enforcement
..
child-labor laws and the like. He praised
especially the work of the foreign mis-
sionaries, calling them learned states
men" in regard to proper oriental poll
cies.
Concerning teachers. of whom he spoke
next. he said that their work was i'm
portant as it awakened patriotism and
prepared young men for participation in
the affairs of government He referred
admiringly, while touching on patriotism,
20, pirif - s1,,rSE In's in, To-,
Scores yellow Journalism"
Writers. said Mr.. Taft. coming to the
next head of his OBSCURE. exercise some
next head of his discourse. exercise some
of those of the teachers. He paid his
respects to yellow journalism and 'Jaun-
diced editors" but, speaking of newspapers
as a whole. said that their Importance
was generally recognized.
OF physicians the President-eect said
that they and men of kindred professions
had made possible. great works such as
the Panama canal and that their use
fulness from their discoveries in santa
ton and other matters of health was con-
stantly increasing. He advocated the eS-
Of a national health bureau.
To the other great profession. the Jaw.
he devoted fully third of his speech.
explaining why of necessity lawyers were
in the greatest number of all
professional men in politics. He concluded
his address with eulogy Of Washington.
who, he said. had qualities which placed
him far above the brilliant, facile. able
and learned men. who were gathered
about him in the struggle for American
He said:
Duty of Every Citizen.
1T is the duty of every citizen to give
as much attention as he can to the public
veal. and to take is much interest as he
can in political matters. Americans gen.
orally have recognized these duties and
We find active in political life men repre-
senting all professions. all branches of
business and all trades. I propose this
to invite your attention to the
present relation of each of the learned
professions to politics and government
The First Profession.
"'rhe first profession is that of the min
stry. Time was when the minister of the
was the highest authority as
TO what the law should be and how it
ought to be enforced: but the spread of
education and Independent thinking. the
wide diffusion of knowledge by the press.
The disappearance of the simple village
life, have contributed radically to change
The position and influence of the ministry
III Tue
During the administration of Mr.
Roosevelt and under the influence of'cer-
ain revelations of business immortality
he conscience of the whole country was
shocked and then nerved to the point of
demanding that A better order of affairs
De introduced. In this movement the
minister's of the various churches have
recognized the call upon them to assist
md they have been heard in accents much
more effective than ever before in half a
century.
THE greatest agency today in keeping
Is advised Of the conditions among orien- |
al races Is the establishment of foreign |
MISSIONS. The leaders of these missionary
branches of the churches are becoming |
ome of our most learned statesmen in |
aspect Of our proper oriental policies"
Judge Taft. discussing teachers. said |
hat their relation to politics and govern |
nent is of the utmost Importance, though |
ndirect.' He pointed out that the profess |
ional teacher may exercise great in
irect political influence by the encourage
nent that he ought to give to the young |
nan of college age and life in the study |
nd pursuit Of politics"
To the writer in whatever capacity he |
nay labor, Judge Taft attributed great
influence. either for good or for bad.
Referring to the newspaper press, he
-ery great; but when it panders to the
'ulgarest taste for sensationalism and
,ecomes entirely irresponsible in its in
luence for good, it's .perniciouS tendency
S obviated only by the power of the
'eople to protect themselves against it
y safe discrimination and healthy
kepticism. The close relation between
cen in the slightest degree familiar with
C0llrSa a n ant 4