Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-27
Taft Says Party FeaIty Forces
Him to Speak Out.
With Back to the Wall Is Bound by
His Manhood to Fight.
IGNORES HIS PERSONAL WISH
Charge That He Disbelieves in the
People, He Declares, Is the One
That Sinks Deepest in
His Heart.

NEWARK. N. j., April 27-ID
ordinary circumstances it is not digni-
fed for the President of the United
States to enter into q personal con.
troversy." said President Taft. speak
ing here last night. in renewing his
attack on Col Roosevelt. But I am
forced against the wall, with my back
to it, and I'm bound, II I have any
manhood, to fight"
The President spoke with evident
emotion. He walked the platform and
pounded the rail in front Of him.
Carrying his lighting" campaign
into New Jersey, the President spoke
to several thousand persons in the
armory here. declaring that 1T was
with the utmost reluctance he had de-
cided to answer Mr.. Roosevelts crtti-
cism. He did not reply to Mr.. Roose-
velt's charges in detail. but tried to
make it plain that, in his opinion. Mr..
Roosevelt knew most Of the charges to
be groundless.
'If I consulted my own wish" said
the President, 81 would be silent under
Mr.: Roosevelt's attack and trust to the
future to vindicate me- But I repre-
sent a cause; I represent the repub-
lican party that stands for wise prog
ress under the Constitution and stands
for liberty regulated by law. I must
do my duty and answer the charges
Of Col. Roosevelt 1t Is not a pleasant
thing to do
Believes in the People.
He referred briefly to many of Mr..
Roosevelt's charges, which he answered
in Boston Thursday night; his alleged
friendship for Senator Lorimer Of Illinois
and for the bosses in various states; to
the declaration that he was in favor Of
an oligarchy and against government by
the people. and to many others.
beart s ss the snf President s is the charge
that I am an oligarch and don't believe
in the ability Of the people Of the United
States to govern themselves. II there Is
anything have pride in, it is that l am
American government that has shown
itself the finest and best and most bene-
fetal In the world"
Taking up the charge that he was not a
think progressive could be judged by
his looks or by his appreciation OF
poetry.
II think progressiveness is determined
by what is done, and not by what Is
said" declared the President.
Says He Took Roosevelt's Advice.
In reply to Mr.. Roosevelts accusation
that the President had gone into the
White House a progressive" but became
reactionary by association with former
Speaker Cannon, former Senator Aldrich
and Others Mr.. Taft explained that 1t
was at Mr.. Roosevelt's suggestion that he
consulted these men.
"Of all the men in the world who ad-
"a n
dore Roosevelt is a notable example.
Read his works and see how he defends
himself for his association with bosses
because he said they were the men who
do things"
Danger Of Third Term.
In closing, the President directed atten-
ton to what he called 18th danger Of a
third term. "Are the conditions SO Pc
culiar.' asked the President, that he is
needed to do the job. as he calls it? Then
why not fourth term and f1fth?"
All through his speech the President
voiced his belief that Mr.. Roosevelt had
not given him q square DEAL
Mr. Taft came to Newark from New
York by automobile. His trip across the
New Jersey meadows was uneventful, and
he was recognized by only q few Of the
thousands Of persons who saw him pass
From the armory the President went to
the home OF Clarence III. Kelsey OF East
Orange, where he was a house guest.
After golf at Baltusrol and luncheon to-