Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-09-28
PRAISE FOR TAFT.

men differ in politics, and will dit
fer so long as the world lasts, but the
truth is, that, deep down in the hearts
of our people, and of the people of the
whole country, there is an abiding
faith in the integrity, sincerity and
ability of William H. Taft This
sentence is taken from an editorial ap-
probation of the president published
in the st. Louis Times in connection
with the visit of the president to st.
Louis Saturday. The Times views
President Taft as "a man Of the peo-
pie, broad-minded, big-hearted, gener.
Gus, and withal so simple and friendly
in His meetings with the people that he
has won universal public affection"
THERE'S, the Times adds, nothing OF
the aristocrat about him, nothing to
impress one with the thought that his
exalted position has given him a sense
of superiority over his fellow man.
"He is just the, same kindly, generous
man that he was when he won the re.
spect and affection of bench and bar
as a distinguished member of the
United States court of appeals the
Times says, "and just as he was in
earlier life, when, as. a member of the
bar of Ohio, he gave abundant evil
dence of his talents and worth
Reviewing some Of Taft's achieve
ments before and since his occupancy
Of the executive chair, the Times
says:
''The president has done some really
great things during the years of his
high official life. The country at the
close of the Spanish war found itself
in possession of the Philippines, and
ours was the difficult task of restoring
peace to the islands and giving to the
people code Of laws which meant
good civil government. This was the
bringing of order out Of chaos. The
man 10 do this, among all the great
men of the country, was William H.
Taft. He resigned his position on the
bench and undertook this great work.
and he succeeded and built up fabric
Of government which Is benefcent and
enduring.
''The situation in Cuba became very
serious and threatening at the time
when we were about to turn over the
government there to it's own people.
Those acquainted with the facts know
that the president and department of
state were greatly worried and per-
turbed. There were many warning
factions, much suspicion of our gov
eminent among suspicious people.
Many demands were made for conces-
sions which could not be granted.
Somebody was needed to clear up the
situation. Again William H. Taft was
selected, and again he achieved sue
cess.
There. was trouble with the Central
American governments and danger OF
great canal at Panama Again the
services of Mr.. Taft We're invoked, and
again all complications were removed
and the happiest results achieved. II
in the course of his whole official ca
reer he had accomplished nothing
more than these three great achieve
ments, he would through them, have
been entitled to high rank among the
statesmen and diplomats Of his coun-
try and to the regard and admiration
Of his countrymen.
1--WE all have in mind the question OF
the reciprocity treaty with Canada.
Believing with all his heart that the
best interests of the country were in
vclved in the success of this treaty,
the president espoused it with the ut
most earnestness and vigor.. He knew
from the beginning that this measure
would not be popular with many
strong influences within his own party,
but nothing daunted, he threw the
whole force of his great personality
into the effort to secure favorable &C.
ton by congress. The task was a
great one. It involved a world of Ia
Dor and responsibility, it meant as be-
tween himself and some of his politi-
cal friends the parting CT the ways.
But never for a moment did he swerve
from the course he had laid out. Many