The Washington herald., 1909-03-21
TAFT AVOIDS IRISH BULLS.

Il is a tribute 70 President Tsfts
clear-headedness that Notwithstanding
the difficulties under which he labOred
In getting ready his first message TO
Congress. he made no mistakes. said
exactly what he intended 10 say, and
said Il plainly. II might have contrib
uted 10 the gayety OF nations had ne been
less clever, or less cleverly reported. as
was the case with one Of his more or less
inustrious predecessors. President Zach
cry Taylor.
Old Rough and Ready Taylor. as his
soldiers loved TO call him. had never
held public office up 70 the tine OF his
election 10 the highest place in the gift
OF the people, and his term Was so early
terminated by his death that there is
but one message 10 Congress 70 his
credit. but that fingered long in the mind
Of friend and foe alike. For though lit
tie Irish blood flowed in his veins, Tay-
lor was made TO declare In his message
sent To Congress. Christmas Eve, we
are at peace with all the nations OF the
world. and the rest Of mankind"
This ''buIP' caused no little diversion
to the Democrats. and almost broke the
heart Of Col. Bliss. Taylor's secretary
and son-in-law, who had superintendent
the publication OF the message. What
the President had written was, I'VE are
at peace with all the nations OF the
world. and seek 10 maintain our cher
ished relations OF amity with them" It
was too bad 10 spoil the old soldiers
Yule-tide sentiment. and from all ac-
counts the secretary did not have as
blissfuI a time thereafter as his name
implied
BurIeSquing the President.
Little grandson danced into grandpa's
house. waving Taft billikin over his
head. Grandfather was greatly shocked
M the lack Of reverence in the American
people that would permit such triftng
with the dignity Of the Presidential Of
fee, as 10 pun OF the name OF the Chief
Executive, 90 caricature him. 70 bur
lesque his kindly smile, and other
phrases Of horrhed disapproval. until
little grandson began to weeo over HIS
god of things as they ought TO be"
But grandma dropped her knitting,
pushed her specs up on her hair. anu
firmly remarked: Nathan, there was
no more reverence among the people
seventy years ago than there is now.
Do you not remember the little figures
OF Andy Jackson with hts pet President
Martin Van Buren sitting on his knee.
that could be bought for two bits at New
Glasgow?
Not only that. but I had a picture OF
the same subject. and they hung in the
big store window for a long time
OF course, even we children knew they
were making fun Of the President and
the ex-President." Grandpa. not at all
convinced, declared It was before my
time" He IS six months younger than
grandma. and does not let her forget
IL But the dear old people agree IN the
hope that the new President will in real
ity prove a god Of things as they ought
to be. and that his smile not only will
not come OF. but viii be duplicated on
s0,000.000 faces.
Roosevelt "StraphanEer."
The clever headline IN The Washington
Herald recently. telling that ex-Fresident
Roosevelt is already among the strap
1anSers' OF New York City. illustrates
that the spirit OF ''the king is dead. long
I've the king" is quite as active in these
United States as IL ever was IN France.
1t may spell democracy. or indicate a
me auapJaoility. whichever way one
chooses TO look AT t. But Il has always
neen so. and probably will continue 10
the END OF time. so # is probably just
human nature
At any rate, Col. Roosevelt had
guard OF honor out OF the city he had so
long adorned, so his glory lasted longer