The menace. [volume] (Aurora, Mo.) 1911-1920, 1912-05-18

TO that crowd at one and the same
time. These things ordinarily como
slowly In order to avoid suspicion, but
TAFT Is the limit.
For the second time during the
present year" says the Pittsburgh
Dispatch, OF May 2nd. in a dispatch
from Savannah, Ga. President Taft
today participated In celebration OF
St Patrick's day. He came 10 Savan-
nah TO fulfill an engagement TO speak
at the centennial banquet OF the Hi.
bernian Society"
McClure's Magazine for May has
the following TO say regarding Mr..
William Howard TAFT, and we hope
our readers will give IL close atten.
ton
one of Mr.. TsfCs most familiar
activities during his presidency has
been what IL included Cynicaily AZ
Washington under the term religious
campaigning lie has adopted with
national pulpits, u recent and very ef-
tectiNc practice in national political
campaigns. lie has been very attentive
60 the. Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton; he has appealed strongly 60 the
great Jewish body, which now consti-
tutes nearly quarter OF the clec-
torate OF New York city: aud more
than all he has solicited the friend
ship OF the Roman Catholic church.
IL II an open secret that Mr.. Taft, as
the agent OF the United States 60 the
vatican TO negotiate for the purchase
OF the friar lands In the Philippines.
effected service which was much ap-
preciatcd by all Roman Catholics. lie
not only secured fair and liberal set
tlement FOR the lands. but he became
the first representative at the Nati-
"
taincd much that was hostile TO IL.
And the friendship which this created
among American Catholics was seen
bN political observers Ia Mr. Tafts
vote for the presidency in 1905.
After his election Mr.. Taft became
a pioneer In other relations with the
Catholc church He was the first
president of the United States to cele-
hrate the Puritan feast-day OF Thanks
giving In Catholic church. In his
hrst year as president he established
this innovation. which he has followed
over since; and the Pau-American
Thanksgiving service In 81. Patrick's
church has become one OF the features
OF the presidential year during his ad-
ministratinn. Another similar innoVa-
tion, introduced by him as president.
was the military mass held In WASH
ington the Sunday before last Memorl-
al day on the grounds OF the Washing
ton monument behind the white house.
This was the first occasion Of the kind
TO be held In the government grounds
and TO be attended By the commander
in-chtef OF the army and navy
There are many other ways IN which
President Taft has sought Co appeal
20 Catholic sentiment The church
has always been deeply concerned In
its Indian mission schools. In Febru-
airy. President Taft revoked an order
OF Indian Commissioner Valentines for
bidding the wearing OF religious garh
BY Catholic teachers In the government
Indian schools, and reopened the ques-
tion which the commissioner had de-
cided.
In his appointments Mr.. TAFT has
shown much liberality toward Catho-
lies. His choice as chief Justice Of
the supreme court OF man of Cath
olic faith was especially appreciated.
the more so because Of the general
feeling among Catholics that. al
though they constitute nearly a nfth
OF the population OF the United states.
there have been In most administra-
tions almost no appointments of men
OF Catholic faith to Offices under tho
national government.
Mr.. Taft. beginning at the time
when he was governor general OF the
Philippines. has established personal
tho high prelates OF the Catholic
church IN America. Mr.. Tafts rela-
tions with these prelates has. during
his administration, become very close
Cardinal Gibbons. tho head OF the Cath
Ollie church In this country. Is very fire.
qucutlv his guest at the white house.
and other leaders OF the Catholic
And. In observing the golden jubilee
Of Cardinal Gibbons at Baltimore last
year. the Catholic church In America
could well feel that no such demon
stration OF high friendship had ever
heen shown az a religious occasion In
this country. on one side OF the ven-
cradle prince OF the church was seated
tile president. on the otner side the
vice. president OF the United States:
and the only living ex-president was
sea ted close hy
Now. II Is the belief % the politicians
% the corporation behind Mr.. Taft
that the various religious friendshins
which Mr.. Taft has cultivated In the
United states can all be brought into
this campaign and made a tremendous
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