The Washington herald., 1910-02-14
President Taft's Speech.


The uteEance Of President Tart in
New York is worthy OF careful perusal
by every American citizen. It is
timely and important deliverance, cal
culated, from a political point of view,
To infuse new courage into the Repub-
Hcan ranks, but above all, to assure
the country that the President is thor
oughly conversaut with every detail of
the economical problems which are caus-
ing protest In discussing the questions
now uppermost in the public mind, the
President does not indulge in lurid
rhetoric, but with characteristic judicial
temperament presents the facts and out
lines his deductions in calm and conyiu-
cling fashion.
Every one who reads the speech must
feel thar the President is sincere in his
effort to redeem the pledges Of the Re
publican platform. and there is no rea-
son TO doubt that the majority in Con
gress will be equally loyal Concerning
The most important action which has yet
been tsken. viz the enactment of the
tariff bin, We feel sure that the Presi-
dents analysis of that measure viii have
great weight in removing the impression,
industriously sought TO be created, that
the revision was not in the interest of the
people. The figures show that the tariff on
all articles. except silks and luxuries, has
been decreased. while woolens remain
unchanged Under the operation Of this
new tariff, the deficit viii soon be wiped
our, and yet no serious injury will be
done to any manufacture. In other
words, the tariff law is already demon
straung the wisdom of the men who
framed it, and the likelihood is that each
succeeding year viii. increase its value 10
the country.
President Taft realizes that there is an
impression that the prevailing high prices
are due 20 the new law. With great
earnesness and emphasis he combats
this position. IF the people listen to
reasonable argument, he says. 'it viii
be easy 10 demonstrate that high prices
proceed from an entirely different cause"
He does not minimize, however. the ex-
tent of the popular belief and me is
willing Il. argue his point before the
people. lie is wise in asserting his will
iugness 10 meet the issue boldly. and
his courage viii prove stimulus 10
every member of his party. The i'm
portant point however. is TO secure the
widest publicity for the facts which
he has gathered with painstaking care.
The men who. for selfish or Interior
motives, are disseminating radical state
ments based upon misleading informa-
tion. ought not 10 have everything their
own way. They can do mcalcuIable
harm boy insuliing suspicion and doubt
into the public mind, causing unrest and
disquietude. It Us the imperative duty
of the President to check this disturbing
element and me has performed his task
admirably, More than this, his hands
VIII Doe upheld by every man. Irrespective
of party, who wants TO see the country
continue prosperous and contented
It did not need the Presidents dis
claimer 10 prove that he would not will
FULLY disturb business conditions. His
whole temperament and training are for
eign TO such nm idea, He proposes that
the corporations shall obey the law, but
in saying this he is only fulfilling the
obligations of his oath of office We may
be sure that he viii safeguard the ma
teriaI interests Of the nation, and that
under his wise and sane guidance the
vexauous problems of the present time
viii be happily solved