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William Howard Taft

William Howard Taft Quotes

27th U.S. President

William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States, serving from 1909 to 1913. Born on September 15, 1857, and passing away on March 8, 1930, Taft was known for his dedication to maintaining law and order and for pushing for various reforms during his presidency. After leaving office, he remained active in politics and law, serving as a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.

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Famous William Howard Taft Quotes

“I don't know whither we are drifting, but I do know where every real thinking patriot will stand in the end, and that's by the Constitution.”

Thinking Knows Real Ends Constitution Patriotism Patriot Drifting

Author:William Howard Taft

“It is not impossible, of course, after such an administration as Roosevelt's and after the change in method that I could not but adapt in view of my different way of looking at things, that questions should arise as to whether I should go back on the principles of the Roosevelt administration.... I have a government of limited power under a Constitution, and we have got to work out our problems on the basis of law. Now, if that is reactionary, then I am a reactionary.”

Ifs Way Should Different Problem Government Law Courses Views Principles Impossible Bases Constitution Method Work Out Arise Administration Different Ways Reactionaries

Author:William Howard Taft

“He [Roosevelt] has made some speeches that indicate that he is going quite beyond anything that he advocated when he was in the White House, and has proposed a program which is absolutely impossible to carry out except by a revision of the Constitution.”

Made House White Impossible Speech Program Constitution White House Revision

Author:William Howard Taft

“Constitutions are checks upon the hasty action of the majority. They are the self-imposed restraints of a whole people upon a majority of them to secure sober action and a respect for the rights of the minority.”

People Self Whole Action Liberty Rights Constitution Majority Libertarian Checks Secure Minorities Libertarianism Restraint Sober Hasty

Book:The Collected Works of William Howard Taft: Presidential messages to Congress

Source: The Collected Works of William Howard Taft: Presidential messages to Congress

“The President can exercise no power which cannot be fairly and reasonably traced to some specific grant of power in the Federal Constitution or in an act of Congress passed in pursuance thereof. There is no undefined residuum of power which he can exercise because it seems to him to be in the public interest.”

Seems President Interest Power Exercise Constitution Congress Grants Public Interest Undefined

Book:William Howard Taft: Essential Writings and Addresses

Source: William Howard Taft: Essential Writings and Addresses

“Next to the right of liberty, the right of property is the most important individual right guaranteed by the Constitution . .”

Important Next Individual Liberty Constitution Property Presidential Property Rights

Book:Popular Government: Its Essence, Its Permanence and Its Perils

Source: Popular Government: Its Essence, Its Permanence and Its Perils

“Next to the right of liberty, the right of property is the most important individual right guaranteed by the Constitution and the one which, united with that of personal liberty, has contributed more to the growth of civilization than any other institution established by the human race.”

Humans Important Next Individual Growth United Race Liberty Civilization Constitution Institutions Property Individuality Presidential Human Race Property Rights Personal Liberty

Book:Popular Government: Its Essence, Its Permanence and Its Perils

Source: Popular Government: Its Essence, Its Permanence and Its Perils

“We have a government of limited power under the Constitution, and we have got to work out our problems on the basis of law.”

Problem Government Law Bases Constitution Work Out

Author:William Howard Taft

“Lawyers are necessary in a community. Some of you...take a different view; but as I am a member of that legal profession, or was at one time, and have only lost standing in it to become a politician, I still retain the pride of the profession. And I still insist that it is the law and the lawyer that make popular government under a written constitution and written statutes possible.”