Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-12-08
NORTH YEARNS FOR
CLOSER ASSOCIATIONS
Taft Urges Utter 0b|teration Of
Sectional Lines; Expresses Views
On Negro Question.
DOESN'T FAVOR NEGRO DOMINATION
president-e.ect Delivers Notable Ad-
dress Before North Carolina Soc:e-
ty-Confines Himself Entirely to
South and Its ProbIems-Promises
Aid In Solution.
(By Associated Press.)

NEW YORK, Dec. 1.-PrcSidcn'-
Taft who came to New York today
to address the North Carolina Society
of this CITY. was given tHmult iouS
reception tcLighi by the members ot
the organization and by prominent
men from all parts Of the South at
III" annual dinner of the North caro-
lima Society at the Hotel Aston. Two
thousand and five hundred members
and guests of the society filled the
brilliantly decorated banquet hall.
which was redolent Of the pines OF
the tarheel state. the cones ana
branches of the rcsinous trees form
ing the BACKGROUND for NOR" fragrant
blooms which We're scattered every
where over snowy linens and flag
draped walls.
lntertwined enSigns of the state
and nation were con Spicuous in the
decorations OF the banquet hall and
larger flags were displayed in front
Of the hote! throughout the. day and
evening.
Urges Breaking Solid South.
Mr.. Taft in the course OF IN ad
dress. which was confined entirely to
the South and its problems. urged
again that the voters Of that section
should break awav from the outlived
sentiment and traditions Of their past
political afiliations. and cast their
ballots in accordance rather with
their economic and real political be-
lief
Mr. Taft declared that nothing
would give him greater pride during
his coming term in the executive OF
fee than to so direct the policy or
the national government with respect
to the Southern states as TO convince
those intelligent citizens of the South
of the desire Of his administration to
aid in working out satisfactorily the
serious problem before them and OF
bringing them and their Northern fell
low citizens closer and closer In SYM
pathy and point Of view.
Doesn't Favor Negro Dominance.
At the conclusion of practically
every one Of his pointed sentences.
Mr.. Taft was interrupted b. applause
and cheering. He frankly expressed
himself regarding the so-called ne
gro question" and declared that
neither he nor the Republican party
had any idea of forcing upon the peo-
pie CT the South the dominance OF
an ignorant class.
Mr.. Taft's Address.
After paving a tribute to North [ ar
DINA which he said presented an ad-
mirabie type Of present conditions in
the South. the public spirit of its cit
zens the growth of its Industries and
of the charming companionship which
the Northerner always found there.
the speaker pointed out that the laws
were made for the North and SOU h
and The functions Of tn" government
extended from the Canadian border -
The gulf OF Mexico: and led up TO this
question: What is II that SctS N"
South apart and takes from III" Sou' h
orn people the responsibilities which
the members of republic pr" sup
posed 20 share IN responsibility for
the conduct o. the nation
South An on'ooker
"" continued Why Is t hat
what is dope a. Washington Srcms To
10 tho work Of the North ard the
West and not of the South Shorld
this state Of affairs crnrinre7 These
a." tho rucsfiorS that fore" them
solvcs on those Of US concerned with
the government. and who are mot
anxious 10 hav" solid united coun
try of whose will tn" course of the
government shall he an intelligent In
depreciation aud expression.
"We can answer thee Questions aS
IN" historian would. and "" can eN
main tho situation as u Is: Int
,ur'r ta'rk We car Justify "r cxc.: 8"
4 continuance Cf g. Looking hack
into the past ~ CouTs" the rTpIana
ton cf thc differcnc" between tho
South and tho Of her two sections was
In the institution cf slavery.
ey.oncs Be eyeores.
II Is os 70 purpOCc 10 point ont
that "arlr IN tho history ~ IN" c"un
'rv tho North saS "a responsible" for
bringing slaves nor" as tho South
bcrs rsc We arc mo-; concerned viii
who@c fauit 10 Is that there Was sucf
an Institution az slavery. Nor arc
ve concerned with the probability
that had tho Nor'he.rrrs been inter
csicd rxacily az tho Southcrncr'
viewed u. they would hav" fought n
dcfcnI Il. because u was as sacred
ss the instiiu,ion ~ private proDcrtl
itscIf u docs not help in The slight
est degree In the present day TO stil