The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-11-20

sang his Swan Song" as Chief EXecu-
tive Of the nation tonight AS the
guest of the Lotus Club, the President
responded to the toast, THE Presi-
dent" in N speech which many of his
hearers considered the most remark
able he has ever made. He shifted
from grave to gay and from the phil
osophy which, he said four years in
the White House had taught, to a dis
cussion Of problems which face the
nation. He laughed at the outcome of
the election, smiled when he spoke of
some Of the plans Of President t-elect
Wilson and touched with general sar-
casm William Jennings Bryan.
In his serious moments the Presi-
dent earnestly advocated to the admis-
sion to the halls of Congress the mem
bers Of Presidents Cabinet; declared
that six-year term in the Presidency
was enough for any man; advocated
strongly the placing in the civil service
Of practically every officer in the Gov
ernment service and hinted broadly
that Congress should provide for for
mer Presidents, so that they need not
lower the dignity Of the position they
have held when they enter into pri
vate life.
His chief regret, the President said,
was that he had been unable to in
fiuence the United States Senate to
ratify the arbitration treaties with
France and Great Britain. In spite of
that fact, ne asked his audience to be-
lieve that he would leave office with
the deepest gratitude to the American
people for the honor they had given
him and with the belief that enough
progress had been accomplished in his
administration to vyarra 1T him in feel
ing that he had done real good for his
country. His humorous references to
the burdens Of the White House, to his
successor and to Mr.. Bryan brought
forth round after round of applause.
He gave toast to his successor.
Health and success to the able, dis
tinguished and patriotic gentleman
who is to be-" and he raised his glass
while his hearers rose to their feet,
"the next President Of the United
States"
President Taft said in part:
II see in the name Of your club the
possibility that you were organized to
furnish an opportunity for Swan
Song to those about to disappear. 1
concluded that it was we'll to cast an
anchor to the winward and accept as
much real coincidence as could gath
er in such a hospitable presence as
this, and, therefore, my friends, ac-
cepted your invitation and am here.
You have given me the toast Of
The President" 1t is said that the
office Of President is the most power
full in the world, because under the
Constitution it's occupant really can
exercise more discretion than an En-
peror or King exercises in any Of the
Governments Of modern Europe. 1 am
not disposed to question this as mat
ter Of reasoning from the actual power
given the President in the constitu-
tional division Of governmental func-
tions. but l am bound to say that the
consciousness of such power is rarely,
If ever, present in the mind Of the or
dinary individual acting as President,
because what chiefly stares him in the
face In carrying out any plan of his,
is the limitation upon the power and
not it's extent.
"Of course, there are happy individ-
uals who are able entirely to ignore
these limitations both in mind and
practice, and as to them the result may
be different. But to one whose train
ing and profession is subordinate to
law; the intoxication Of power rapid
ly SINNERS off in the knowledge Of it's
restrictions and under the prompt re-
minder OF an ever-prcscnt and not al
ways cOnslderate press, as well as by
the kindly suggestions that not infrc-
quently come from that hall Of Con-
grcss in which impeachmcnts are in
itiatcd and that smaller chamber in
which they are tried.
I'm these days Of progress, reform.
uplift and Improvement a man does
not show himself abreast of the ages
unless he laS som" changes To sug-
gcst II is ;hc recommended change
that marks his being up 10 date. 1t
may be change only for the sake of
change, but il is Responsible 10 "a pub
lie demand, and, therefore. let's pro