Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-01-06
PRAISES
INFLUENCE
Of CHURCH
HE SAYS,
IN UPLIFT OF THE RACE
Experience in the Philippines
Strengthens Conviction of
PfeSident-eIect in Vital Force
of Christianity

Augusta, Ga, Jan. 5.-To the Prot
cstant ministers Of Augusta al a re-
ception today President-elect Taft ex-
pressed his views regarding the iniu-
ence of the church upon civilization
and It's usefulness in aiding govern
mental development.
In his experience in the north and
south ana in the Philippine islands he
said he had been able to study many
different phases of civilization. espe-
eially IN the matter or church innu-
cnces.
Leaving u sect" he continued,
the Indispensable presence Of church
influence in the Improvement in M
civilization is one to which no one can
be blind who has shared in the slight
est the responsibility for government
and the responsibility for improve
ment Of a people as | have. That
was a responsibility in regard to a
race that is 90 in a state of Chris
tian tutolage and must be uplifted
in my judgment. by US and through
our guidance. before we shall. have
discharged the obligations hat Provi-
dencc has thrust upon us. And in the
study Of their development It has be
come known 10 mo the enormous in
fluence that the church must exercise
in order to make our progress there
effective. The Roman catholic church
was there for years n provided that
state of Christian tutelagc to which
| have referred. Now the ban has
been removed from other denomina.
lions and they are all in there on an
equality in the spirit OF Christian en-
~ulation, attempting to uplift those peo-
pie and the government by a system
Of secular education are aiding that
uplifting; but without the moral in
fluence OF the churches there, we
could not accomplish anything 1t is
that sort Of experience by which there
is borne in upon US the Importance
Of the maintenance Of a church and
its influence at all hazards.
1T is difficult sometimes to explain
to n who has been used to the close
union OF church and state. such as
was preserved in Spain, such as IS
preserved in some other countries, thu
attitude of the American gov
eminent toward the church. lie IT,
that If we separate the church
the state it means the state does
not favor the church. | had the hon
~ to represent this country in Il
transaction OF business character with
Pope Leo XIII at the Vatican and
while there | pointed out to him with
Ill the emphasis possible that the sep
of the church and state was
n the interest Of the church ahd that
II America he could count upon the
ustaining of the rights of the church
ma its encouragement by every lcglti-
nate means or the part of the people.
its assuming any govern
mental function OF having any gov
rnmental right such as ii has In other
ountries.
1T comes over me every once H.
while when ! am charged with ac-
omplishing something, how absolute
7 essential it is that we should have
he influence of the church behind
verything that We do"
The clergymen had referred to ne
70 education and Mr.. Taft remarked
nat his previous statement was one
f his strong reasons for advocating
~ EAl VI AiAltNAA1 SCI
es in the south for the education of
70 ministers. Because Of their Won
power over that race. these
len have a great responsibility and (
iould be thoroughly prepared there \
he added. The influence Of the
hite churches on the negro churches,
said, must continue to grow.
Mr. Taft explained that ne was not
favor Of a university education for
cry negro any more than for every
her man, ~
What they need to h. taught he
id. lis the primary education and ,
G Industrial education TO make them -
tier workmcn. better skilled labor =
s and better farmers than they are p
day" ~
Horace r. Andrews Of Cleveland, =
lio. and Editor Robert Wolf Of ".
.lumbus saw Mr.. TAFT and discussed -
lio state politics Mr.. Taft said ~
at they made hearty Endorsements u,
Myron T. Herrick for a cabinet :,
sition. Another cabinet conference ~
suited from the call of a committee -
the National association Of Agri- y,
ltural Colleges and Experiment sta ~
Mr.. Taft said he was told in 49,
neral terms the qualifications that =,
e man should haze to hii the posi- . =
m Of secretary of agriculture. predi- NJ
ted, he added on the expressed as -,
hat Secretary Wilson. with ~
no fault was found. was not
serve out a fun term in the Taft NJ
~