The Influence of the Grand Army

At the parade of the Grand Army of the Republic in Ohio, Senator Foraker and Judge Taft reconcile false accusations of resentment and feuding over the presidential campaign.

The alleged reconciliation between Hon. William H. Taft and Senator J.B. Foraker is now the uppermost topic of discussion among Republicans throughout the country. The two statesmen met on the platform at the review of the parade of the Grand Army of the Republic at Toledo, Ohio, September 2, 1908. We do not see that is it anymore than a repetition of the letter of congratulation and pledge support sent by Senator Foraker to Judge Taft after his nomination at Chicago. It seems to mean though at this stage of the political contest that the Grand Army support of the Senator has emphasized the fact that he has influence in some States other than Ohio. It means also that while there is no definite statement or pledge to that effect, it is nevertheless a fact that the distinguished Ohio Senator will not be disturbed in his present position, provided the Republicans carry the election in Ohio and the legislature is Republican. Mr. Taft is quoted as follows: “It is a pleasure for me to be here with Senator Foraker,” said Mr. Taft, “because when Governor of Ohio he gave me really my first chance and took a good deal of risk in putting a man of twenty-nine on the bench of the Superior Court of Cincinnati. (more applause) We are about to enter, or rather have entered a great oratorical campaign. It is a pleasure to think in this presence that we are going to stand in the campaign shoulder to shoulder, with the full strength of the Republican Party.” (applause) In order that his position might not be misunderstood, Mr. Taft is further quoted: Mr. Taft here went directly to a political argument, in which he said that the real issue of the campaign was whether the voters of the country would give their indorsement to the Roosevelt policies and the deeds of the Republicans, or turn to the Democratic Party, with its untried promises. Senator Foraker said: “Under the circumstances, I hope I may be pardoned if I say here in his presence - the first time I have had opportunity to say it - that there has never, so far as I know, been the slightest ill feeling of any kind between Judge Taft and myself.” (cheers and applause.) “And if there had been, you could not lose me that way.” (Laughter.) “If there is anything I have a right to claim beyond another, it is that I am a Republican three hundred and sixty-five days in the year. “I have my preferences sometimes as to who should receive the honors of the party, and everybody generally finds out what they are. But I am one of those old-fashioned Republicans who settles every question at the convention. When the Chicago convention nominated Judge Taft to be the Republican candidate for the presidency this year, that instant he became my leader. He has been my leader ever since and will be my leader until the polls close on the night of election. Senator Foraker then turned to the issues with the conclusion that the great issue would be found to be “whether the administration of public affairs in this country shall be turned over to the Democratic Party with Mr. Bryan at its head, or shall be continued in the hands of the Republican Party...”

“The Influence of the Grand Army,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed January 18, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/716.