The Washington herald., 1911-10-25
TAFT IS LAUDED,
7. R" ASSAILED
BY UNITARIANS
Former Hailed as an Apostle
of Peace.
ROOSEVELT GOD OF WAR

Pledging support to the cause of in
!ernational arbitration, administering
Ieveral sharp. thrusts at former Presi-
lent Roosevelt for his alleged imperial
istic policies, and describing President
Taft as an exponent of practical twen-
ticth century Christianity. the Confer
ence of Unitarian Churches of North
America continued its session in Memo
rial Continental Hall last night.
FOR PEACE OF NATION.
After the customary devotional exer-
cises, DR.. Horace Davis, of San Fran
cisco. president of the conference, called
the session to order and announced In
ternational peace" as the topic to be
discussed. Rev. Edward Cummings, Of
Boston. lnuded President Taft for his
efforts toward the promotion Of interna-
t!onal peace. He said that President
Tafts addresses and treaties on interna-
tional peace personifed an exalted state
OF world politics.
Yelling his remarks, DR.. Cummings
contrasted the attitude Of a former Ex-
ecutive. whom he alleged embraced de-
cided imperialstic views, with the policy
Of the present Chief Magistrate, whom
he described as a man who has the
courage to apply the principles of Chris
danity to the solving Of the problems
ot state.
At the conclusion Of Dr. Cummings
address a resolution, offered by r. ".
3OyntOn. OF Buffalo, commencing Presi-
lent Tafts efforts in the cause of in
:ernatiOnal peace, was adopted by a ris-
nG vote. The resolution also offered
he conferences support to the Presi-
tents arbitration treaties and pledged
each church to appoint a committee
whose purpose it shall be to urge upon
every United States Senator the neces-
Sity OF ratifying these treaties, the
handicraft of a high-minded and Chris
Iian Executive
Roosevelt AsSaIIed.
DR.. William c. Gannett, Of Rochester.
y. Y, charged that former President
Roosevelt's Utterances and actions in re-
lation TO international peace were a set
back to civilization, a hindrance to COM
mon decenCy, and to the pursuit Of hap
piness as guaranteed to citizens by the
Constitution. He described Mr. Roosevelt |
as the twentieth century Lady Macbeth. |
who had first soiled his hands with
hloodshed in the Spanish war and had
then dared to pose as an exponent of |
universal peace, whereas his record pro-
claimed him a god OF war.
pr GauaCtt Geplored the modern civil |
lization that permits Il nation to expend |
% per cent OF the national revenue in !
preparation for war which may never
C"CUr an! 3lolinr but 80 Ter cent to the
al n -
stitutiUns which serve as a relief to a |
t.N-bUrdcred electorate
The speaker predicted as a not far
distant reality a court oi international |
arbitration endowed with powers and
procedure of civil courts, which would be
the accomplished goal of the concentrat-
ed effort for international peace in which
he Unitarian Church was taking such
prominent stand.
The Panama Seizure.
In conclusion. DR.. Gannett deplored the
act that the United States might be
charged with having assumed an incon-
sistent attitude on the universal peace
question, in that she had but recently
given popular acclaim to a president. who
mad seen MT TO Gnnul the peace preroga
tives Of his own country, and make void
the Monroe doctrine by his seizure OF the
Panama Canal site despite the just re-
OF a weaker power.
At the afternoon session, a paper pre-
pared by Henry Wilder FOote, secretary
Of the American Unitarian Educational
was read. The writer took
exception to criticism Of State univer-
stiles, for what the critics term lack OF
Christian influence surrounding State in
stitutions. DR.. Foote asserts that this
freedom, from what he terms dogmatic
will accentuate free thinking
by the student and consequently result
in developing his individuality, that is
so often smOthered by dogmatic teach
Ings in colleges controlled by religious
seCts.
DR.. Edgar S. wiers, OF MontcIair, N
j., took as his subject. Assurances of
our success" He said that the spirit of
youth and optimism found in every de-
partment Of the Unitarian Church was
an indication Of a healthy existence and {
a bright future
From to $50 o'clock the conference q
Tas entertained in the parlors of the Ar
ington by the National Alliance os Uni
arian Women.
To-day's programme will comprise the !
sociological sessions, and many addresses 9
IF an economic ana political nature will '
,e features. The music. will he by the :
Sowaliga Chorus Choir, whose renditions :
yesterday attracted more than ordinary !
Ittertion. {