Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-10-17
TAFT IN TENNESSEE
Southern State Has First Glimpse Of
Republican Candidate.
WELCOME Is MOST CORDIAL
Auditorium at Chattanooga Thronged
for Morning Meeting.
PLEADS AGAINST TRADITION
Local Reason for Voting Democratic
Ticket in South is Gone.
MEN OF BOTH PARTIES FOR HIM
In speech Rt Chattanooga He Says
re Hopes 60 Carry the states
of Tennessee and FSen-
lucky.
PLEADS AGAINST
Local Reason for Voting Democratic
Ticket in South is Gone.
MEN OF BOTH PARTIES FOR HIN

tIn QtnOtTAlss lOAtlutl WIN iAS ANeAoSA'
for giving the south its first glimpse Of a
republican presidential candidate, was de-
livered here this morning to an audience
which packed the Auditorium, the largest
hall in the city.
The candidate was met at the station by
a large reception committee. upon which
It was said were as many democrats as
republicans. but all for Taft.
Mr.. Taft spent the entire day In the
state. He spoke at Knoxville. johnson City
and Bristol
His reception here was characteristic of
the extreme cordiality for which the south
is roted. He was greeted with Dixie"
by a band before he left his car, and the
same tune was played wnfie he was being
ushered into the Auditorium.
Judge Taft, who was introduced with
warm words \of praise by il. Clay Evans,
was In a peculiarly happy mood. He
walked up and down the platform from
which he spoke with his hands behind his
back, and his sentences came easy, hut
with telling force. as indicated by the
laughter and enthusiastic responses OF his
audience.
First Excursion to south.
In telling of his excursion to the south
whep on the bench he remarked.
There was something about my appear
ance that suggested the propriety Of a din
ner every time ! came. The only reascN
dreaded coming down here was the excess
OF hospitality. The warmth OF feeling, the
cordial reception that 1 had awakened In
me deep sympathy and great admrs-
tion for this southern country and an
earnest desire TO put myself as far as [
and women who understand them and un-
derstand their point OF view. Hence II is
that am here.
When knew you before, was engaged
IN the respectable business of trying to
administer Justice, have fallen from that
state now, and | am engaged in running for
the presidency, and it seemed to me
that with the interest have always had
in the south It was only proper that
should come here, and as a candidate
for presidency on the republican ticket
express by my presence, and what might
say here, my interest in bringing about
such result as well, more closely unite
the sections than they were united.
Hopes for Southern Votes.
1T is quite possible that we may not
get a single electoral vate I'm the south.
I think we will get enough without II,
but nothing would crafty me more than
II / could enter the presidential chair WITH
the feeling that the electoral vote that pu,
me there was the vote OF Tennessee and
Kentucky.
1--WE all know the history Of the country
and we know that natural results OF the
war. We know how the south ranged on
the side OF the democratic party. We
know it's natural conservative tendency,
We know now the homogeneous character
Of its people. the preservation OF the trad
itlons of the family.
"why, l remember when I went to Nash
Vile, and got into the families OF some
of the lawyers there; they were telling and
enjoying the jokes. the forensic jokes
and reparties and forcible arguments that
had been uttered fifty, sixty and seventy
years ago by the leaders of the bar. That
would not be possible north Of the Ohio
river, because we have changed so that
our family relations don't go back that
far.
Plea Against Tradition.
so It is entirely natural that even after
all reasons have disappeared, why the In
telligent southern people should, vote tht
democratic ticket and go on voting 1t tC
preserve the historic traditions
II am here to see II we cannot make {
beginning OF disturbing that tradition anC
relegating It TO the place where useless
traditions ought to be. The enormous
Industrial expansion of the south which
has taken place since 1895 and largely un
der the auspices OF republican administra
tions ought, It seems to me. to demonstrate
TO the thoughtful men OF the south tina
their logical position is in the party which
makes such prosperity possible. Righ
here in the center OF the manufacturing
Industries OF the south does It need al
argument TO convince you that the pro
tective system is absolutely necessary t.
the continuance and maintenance of you
prosperity
''I know how that thing is adjusted Th
congressman that favor each district ar
IN favor of free trade from every othe
state, but they are in favor OF protection
for this particular spot
Protection I'm spots.
"A democratic congressman down in tn
southwestern part of Missouri felt the,
needed a little protection for zinc anG
In favor OF protection for zinc agains
Mexico but for free trade I'm everything
else think you ought TO call over 20 tn
party that is IN favor Of distributing tn
favors Of protection all over the countr,
in order to maintain all the industries o
the country as they have been maintains
under the system OF protection.
There are a great many men In tn
south. and doubtless many within tn
sound OF my voice. who are strictly de
moerats. They are TO be divided into thre
classes. The first is going TO vote for me
-rba second class Is not going to vote at al
ana the third class are going to vote 10
NV opponent and hope that l will b
elected. think. my friends, that you know
as know. that that Is fair statement
So / have come out here to see II can
not convince the two latter classes tina
what they ought TO do is to come right ou
and just take their first cold bath In lsavin
historic tradition that naturally Is dea
Continued on second PaEel