The sun., 1910-02-23
TAFT TO The CINCINNATI
NE WONDERS IF WASHINGTON
HAD a SENSE or HCMOR.

He, ,AdnIres the First Presidents Skill IN
bridging DisseDsiOU as fSne Of His
Finest QuaMtles-A Human Man,
Coed Farmer, First COnserVai:Onlst.
President Taft told little OF what he
thought OF President Washington last
evening and a little of what he thought
about George Washington the man. MIR.
Taft was talking to about seventy-five
members and guests OF the Society OF the
Cincinnati in the State of New Jersey
who were dining at the Plaza.
President Taft expressed himself as
keenly. curious to know whether Wash.
ington had a sense OF humor. He also
declared his admiration for the first Presi-
dents statesmsnship. He referred to
what Washington had accomplished in
his two terms. to the political disanec-
ton which marred his second term, and
to his work in securing for the Federal
Government sufficient authority TO carry
on the business OF government.
Mr.. Taft was introduced by the presi-
dent-general of the society. Winslow
Warren, who said that the Cincinnati
were proud to have as their guest the
successor of Washington and that a MEM
Der of the Cincinnati was President OF
the United States to-day.
When he arose to speak President Tart
said he was very sorry that the president
general had not given him certain advice
OF which Mr.. Warren had spoken, because,
Mr.. Taft said he would have been glad
to receive 1t. particularly in view OF an
incident that Mr.. Warren had related to
him. Mr.. Warren had told him, he said.
OF having been presented 10 him at the
Ohio Society e smeeting as an anti-imperial-
| ist from Boston who had voted for him
! (TafD and had not yet regretted 1t. This.
the President said. would have made the
president generals advice something
which 20 him (the President) would have
been valuable. Continuing. Mr.. Taft
said: .
Il want TO express my sincere thanks
for being made an honorary member OF
the Society Of the Cincinnati. am espe-
cially glad that have been taken in by
the New Jersey Cincinnati. for | come
from Cincinnati which was settled under
patent from New Jersey. and haven't
the slightest doubt that the city where
was born-and dragged out a sooty ex-
! istence until l went to the Philippines
took its name from this Society OF the
Cincinnati OF which now am an honorary
member.
4 Intended to prepare what Gov.
laughs at Gov. Griggsl until was told
that it wasn't necessary. And then
was reminded OF the girl who asked her
mother when she went TO dancing school
whether she should keep time with the
music or with the boys. adding that the
! boys didn't keep time to the music. So
wondered whether l should keep time
with the boys or with the music OF those
orations. so many OF which Gov. Griggs
has delivered on these patriotic occasions:
| Il don't know any one so much entitled
to come together on Washington's Birth
day and celebrate his real ife and real
cha racter es the members OF the society
which he organised from among the men
to whom seven years experience in war
together had made companionship tho
most dear.
You have heard OF what Robert G.
Ingersoll said about Lincoln being living
man to people to whom George Washing
ton was only a steel engraving. cannot
think that that comparison could come to
the mind Of any one who had read Wash
tngton's personal history. For that brlng g
him before ones eyes not only as entitled
TO the deepest respect and admiration.
but attracting the warmest affection
He was not so brilliant as some OF those
who surrounded and ooopeEated with
him, yet he was one who stood head and
shoulders above them all by reason OF
his patriotism. his conquest OF self, his
persistency and a breadth OF conception
that exceeded the qualities OF all the
others.
-It was in his two terms in the Presi-
dency that he brought out the character
that like to contemplate. He had to
make the Government. and through all
the trials Of his Administration it was his
guiding hand that led to success. And
harder than all to bear was the disseDsion
In his Cabinet and the political dlsanec-
ton OF the later years OF his Administra-
ton, yet he maintained through II all his
progress along the line he had marked
out for himself, making the Union
stronger, giving it a currency and credit
for the time OF need. establishing an
army. and above all giving TO the central
Government an authority that enabled
IL when Il became necessary to suppress
the whiskey rebellion.
More than any man in history he pur-
sued the golden mean. He had no car
to the ground. listening to the popular
acclaim. but he led the people on 20 the
truth.
Il should like to have known him to
find out IL he didn't have sense OF humor.
There is no evidence of 10 in his writings
:now that he knew how to swear when
had the passion OF q man. know that he
| had the weaknesses Of human nature.
But he he'd the courage TO suppress them.
He wsS n good farmer and the first
! conservationist. He knew the value of
money and did not part with It cnrelessly.
Yet he gave his services to thu army OF
the United States. not overcharging. but
rood example for a President OF the
United States. especially a man whose
patrimony was as large as his. j don
say that ] favor it for all Presidents.
II,aughter.l
President Campbell. President General
Warren and Secretary INLAY were among
the other speakers.