The Washington times., 1912-10-07
A REMARKABLE VIEW OF TAFTs MIND

Among all the expressions that President Taft has
emitted, by way Of airing his fears Of majorities-
his distrust, in other words Of the American system
OF government-none has been more remarkable than
that which he sets down in his interview published
today. After some observations on Colonel Roose-
welt, the President proceeds:
Mr.. Roosevelt and his followers in their tendency
would do away completely with the Constitution
framed by fathers Of the republic and substitute for
it the British form Of constitution which is no consti
tuition at all, but merely tradition They would wholly
destroy all constitutional limitations and restrictions
and replace them with the unchecked will and emotions
Of bare majority Of the people They would make the
Congress a permanent constitutional convention. sub
the people that they themselves could control and their
would place that control in the hands Of the
President.
That would be a monstrous form Of despotsm that
quickly would utterly destroy liberties and lead to
the establishment of a monarchy-probably by refer
endum to the people themselves
Therein is set forth pretty accurately the Taft
attitude OF mind Mr. Taft fears the people, does not
believe in their political equality, believes in a su-
perior class that ought to govern For If he regards
the majority as certain to be a despotisn,, he must
assume that a minority is the alternative; and no
minority is entitled to be trusted against a
jority, unless it is peculiarly superior
That, of course, is an utterly un-American doc
trine. President Taft undoubtedly is sincere in his
belief in what he says. His dstust Of majorities
has been proved in many ways.
He proved it by his vetoes Of the tariff and the
Commerce Court Legislation, passed by huge major
tiles of Congress.
He proved it again by his seizure Of the Chicago
nomination, for which he was supported by only a
minority and opposed by a majority.
He has proved it still more recently by throwing
off the national committeeman named for it by large
majorities, and substituting others who represented
Insignificant minorities.
These various performances demonstrate Mr.
Tafts candor in condemning majorities. They prove
his preference for majorities. Do the people like
that sort of minority rule? Do they believe it is
calculated to save, or is saving, our institutions? Dc
they believe that institutions which justify that sor
of thing are deserving Of salvation?
Mr.. Taft is fearful Of anything like the British
form of responsible government. Mr. Wilson or
the other hand is strongly in favor Of just that sys
tenn
| Mr.. Roosevelt stands for the American constitu
tional system. He would have neither the machine
made minority rule that Mr.. Taft prefers and exer
cises, nor on the other hand would he subject the
country to the sudden mutations and cataclysmit
about-facings which unavoidable under the Brit
ish system. He would have stability together witt
responsiveness and responsibility.
President Tafts distrust Of majorities is exactl,
the reason for majorities' distrust Of MIN. How
deep-seated is that feeling he will understand wher
he peruses the returns from the coming election.