Some years ago in Modern Age (Winter, 1958-59). in a poem dedicated to Robert A. Taft, Sr., he was referred to as “Old Round- head”, and compared to the English revolutionary, John Pym (1584-1643). The historical connotations and the loving insights revealed by that designation are highly significant. In the 20th century, Taft, indeed, did represent the anti-Court, anti-Executive Establishment, Country-Party tradition of the Roundheads, the Commonwealthmen, and the Independent Whigs. He revealed the courage of that tradition by resisting the blandishments of the modern Court Party, when in 1940 he was offered its support for the nomination to the presidency if he would drop his commitment to the principles of isolationism and if he would support the policy of assistance to England.
Felix Morley and the Commonwealthman Tradition: The Country-party, Centralization, and the American Empire
