The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1920-07-01
WILLIAM 1, TAFT
DELIVERED lW0FlNE
ADDRESSES IN MlN01
Our Only Living Ex.President Was
Guest of Assn. of Commerce at
Banquet-Spoke at Wildwood
Chautauqua in Evening.

William Howard Taft, our only liv-
ing ex-president, gave two of the
greatest addresses ever heard in this
city Wednesday, one on Americanism
VS.. Bolshevism, at banquet at which
he was guest, rendered at the As
ISOLATION of Commerce rooms by the
business men Of Minot at 6:15 o'clock
and at 8 o'clock, when he addressed
q large crowd at Wildwood Park
Chautauqua, explaining the covenants
of the League Of Nations.
About two hundred sat down at the
Association of Commerce banquet and
when Mr.. Taft entered the room, he
was accorded splendid ovation which
he snfilingly acknowledged. During
the e~ening, a vocal solo was sung
by Tilman Hansen, the Towner bari
tone singer; LATE Flaten played a
violin solo and male quartette COM
posed of j. H. Cotton, Tilman Hansen,
LATE Flaten and E. j. Isliefson sang
two numbers.
Henry M. Wilson presided over, the
meeting and President A. G.. Crane in
troduced Mr.. Taft in a very clever
manner. He admitted that it was
rather embarrassing to be selected
to introduce such a distinguished citi-
zen, but said he presumed he had been
picked because Of his name. The die
tionary says Crane is a machine
used for elevating great weights. The
greatest praise We can give a man is
has accomplished. The following
facts concerning Minot's guest: Mr..
Taft was born in 1857; graduated from
the Cincinnati schools; graduate of
the Yale university with B. A. de-
gree; Cincinnati College Law School
with B. L. degree; was Law reporter,
prosecuting attorney, collector Of in
ternal revenue, county solicitor, judge
of the supreme court, solicitor general,
U. S. Circuit Judge, Circuit Court Of
Appeals; Dean Of Law, University of
CINCINNATI; Pres. U. S. Philippine
Commission; Governor Of Philippine
Islands; Emissary to Rome; Secretary
Of War; Governor Of Cuba; member
Yale ~" Corporation; president Of
the United States.
At this time, Mr.. Taft was cheered
for several minutes.
Mr.. Crane said that it had been .
problem to know what to do with our
ex-Presidents, but said that Mr.. Taft
had solved the problem. At present
he is Professor Of Law at Yale; Presi-
dent of the American Bar Associa-
ton; Chairman Central Commission,
Of American Red Cross; President
American Branch League to Enforce
Peace, and writer and lecturer Of
note.
It had always been Mr.. Taft's am
bitiOn to become member of the u.
S. Supreme court, Mr.. Crane said, and
this high position was rendered him
while he was Governor of the Philip
pines. That Mr.. Taft placed service
above self was shown in his reply,
when he said: "The great honor is
deeply appreciated, but must decline.
Situation here most critical from eco
nomic standpoint Change proposed
would create much disappointment and
lack Of confidence among people.
Mr.. Taft spoke for forty minutes.
II have, heard of the energy and use
fulness >of the Association Of Com
merce of Minot, and l want to thank
Mr.. Crane for his introduction. It is
pleasant to hear kindly things, but
you must not criticize his Judgment
in the spirit Of his hospitality" Mr..
Taft said. ''What is Americanism ?"
he asked. "Americanism is not the
mere pride in our country. We don't
love the land for its mountains,
streams or productivity, it's popula-
ton, wealth and resources. Of course
we fit into our idea all these physical
qualities. What is the essence Of
Americanism First, it is individual
liberty which includes personal free
dom. 1t means what is set forth in
the Declaration Of Independence, pur-