The Washington herald., 1910-02-23

New York, Feb. 22-President Taft told
little of what he thought Of President
Washington this evening and a bit OF
what he thought about George Washing
ton the man.
President Taft was talking TO about
seventy-fiye 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 Mr..
Washington had sense Of humor. He
also expressed his admiration for the first
Presidents craftsmanship.
He referred TO what President Washing
ton had accomplished In hts two terms.
to the political disaheetion which marred
the second term. and to the first Presi-
dents work in securing for the Federal
government sufficient authority to carry
on the business of government.
You have heard Of what Robert G.
Ingersoli said about Lincoln being a liv-
ing man to people to whom George Wash
ington was only a steel engraving.
cannot think that that comparison could
come TO the mind Of any one who had
read Washington's personal history For
that brings him before ones eyes not
only as entitled to the deepest respect
and admiration, but attracting the warm
est affection.
Others More Brilliant
He was not so brilnancSas some Of
those who surrounded and co-operated
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 breadth of concep-
tion that exceeded the qualities of all the
others
1t was in his two terms in the Presi-
dency that he brought out the character
that like 10 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
dissension in his Cabinet and the political
disaffectiOn Of the later years of his ad-
ministration, yet he maintained through
il 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 CO,
ablcd it, when 1t became necessary. to
suppress the whisky rebellion.
Sense of HumOr.
Il should like TO have known him 10
find out If he didn't have a sense of
humor. There is no evidence of il in
his writings. I know that he knew how
to swear when the occasion demanded.
l know that he had the passion of
man. I know that he had the weaK-
nesses Of human nature But he had the
courage 10 suppress them.
He was a good farmer and the first
conservationist He knew the value of
money and did not part. with it careless
~ Yet he gave his services to the army
of the United States. not overcharging.
but charging accurately, his expenses. A
good example for a President of the.
United States, and especially a man
whose patrimony was as large as his. I
don't say that I favor it for ali Presi-
dents" (Laughter)
President Taft also spoke briefly at a
dinner of the Police Lieutenants Benev-
olent Association at the Waldorf.
The President will leave New York to-
morrow afternoon for Newark, n. J.,
where he viii be the guest of the Newark
Board of Trade at a banquet In the even
ing. He will make the trip to Newark in
an automobile.
After the banquet, the President will
return TO Jersey City and board his pri- !
vate car, which viii be attached to /
late train. He will reach Washington
Thursday morning.