The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-05-09
TAFr,s PATRIOTIC STAND.

President Tatt's support of the pro-
posed reciprocity agreement with
/ Canada probably will cost him the
votes of the Republican farmers who
are bitterly opposed TO the ratification
OF the pact, lie has been plainly told
what the cost will be 10 him political
| ~. but the threat has not caused him
To change his attitude. MIR. Taft be-
lieves reciprocity viii work out TO
the benefit Of the whole country and
does not believe II will hurt the farm
ers. But despite The prospect Of the
loss OF many votes al the next presi-
Dental election, he will continue TO
urge Congress TO endorse the agree
mcnt, being firmly convinced of the
wisdom u such legislation.
The farmers are In the minority i'm
their opposition 10 reciprocity and the
president in urging the ratification OF
the pact is truly representing the sem
timent OF The country at large, Demo-
Gratis as well as Republicans. His
stand. i'm the face OF the determined.
organized opposition of the farmers. is
patriotic and highly commendable. He
mas put aside all thought of SELF in his
great desire To do the greatest good
to the greatest number. So far as the
.almers are concerned, NE believes
their fears are unwarranted, hut that
il reciprocity works out i'm the man
ner they think, it can be easily repeal
ed by a single congress. But ne Is
convinced that after reciprocity mas
been given some years Of trial that
neither side win think of repeating il.
In answering an appeal 10y a dele
cation OF members of the National
Grange yesterday to change his atti-
tude, Mr.. Taft said:
You say that the republican farm
ers are going TO desert us if we put
this bill through. / am sorry if that
is TO be the case. because / have a
liking for the republican |
farmer, just little mite stronger than
for the democratic farmer, although I.
they are both citizens of the United /
States whose welfare hold equally
In my care.
But my conviction with respect to
the advantage Of this treaty is very
deep. So far as the effect of this /
on my personal political fortunes is /
it ought not to influence me |
and does not influence me i'm the slight |
thing for the whole country, including I
merchants. laboring men and /
/ believe that IL is con-
trary to nature, that il is flying I'm the /
face of providence to put up an arti-
fetal wall like that between this coun-
Try and Canada and not get the bene-
fits that will insure the peoples the |
same traditions, the same language and |
with the same character of
labor. If we take down that wall we
will benefit by it, for we shall sell more
agricultural products than Canada will /
sell to us. We do now and we shall Il
sell her even more after the treaty goes |
nto effect. That is my judgement. r
am not arguing am merely stating
conclusions. If I did not believe this
should not have taken the RESPONSE n
)ility of doing what I have done to put |
his reciprocity through. ! am willing 1
10 abide by the judgement Of history, |
he judgement that will come after the |
went. When you gentlemen come to |
tee the result, I believe you, as fair
minded men, viii admit that you have
been wrong in your fears and that 7
nave been right"