Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-21

Speclat Dfspatcn 10 1nc star.
HOT SPRINGS. Va, August 21-Before
a big crowd OF Virginians here this after
noon Mr.. Taft answered Bryan's ques-
tion. shall the people ruler
The Taft reply was that the people have
ruled through the republican party: that
they ruled in 1896, when they reject ed
Bryan and his free silver fallacy; in 1900
when for a second time they defeated
Bryan and his anti-imperialism issue, and
again in 1904. when they turned down the
democratic nominee and his paramount
issue of the Roosevelt usurpation of the
powers Of the executive.
Mr.. Taft declared that the republican
party could not be responsible for the
corporate abuses which have been ex-
posed. 1t was not until the administration
of President Roosevelt began that the ex-
tent of these abuses became known and
tha. administration has evidenced one of
the most intelligent and effective express
sions of public opinion ever recorded to
the world.
The democratic candidate blamed the re-
publican party for these corporate abuses.
bat what, Mr. Taft wanted to know, had
the democrats done in regard to them. II
for the last twelve years. as Mr.. Bryan
says, these abuses had been known. why
had the democrats SubOrdinated this i'm
DOrtant issue 10 1ree silver. ant1-lmpeT1di-
ism and so-called executive usurpation?
Thraldom of the South.
Mr. Taft's speech also included an ap-
peal to the independent democrats of
the south.
The present." said he. sis an oppor-
tunity that ought not to be lost. for if 1t
is improved: if the republicans of the
south. by active organization and with
the sympathy of many independent demo-
Gratis, can increase their votes substan-
ally this year. it means a great step
toward the subsequent relief Of the south
ern states from the political thraldOm of
The past"
coming from the south's political attitude
The speech was delivered from a stand
erected on the base ball field, around
which gathered one of the most remark
able crowds that had ever come together
in the south to greet a republican candi-
date for president.
The numerous summer resorts in the
neighhorhood had all sent their delega-
lions. representing the "aristocrAcy OF
the south
From the Shenandoah valley. from
Augusta, Highland. Bath, Rockingham
Page and Rockbridge came numerous
delegations Norfolk, Richmond, Peters
burg and Staunton were also represented
Staunton. In fact, most every section OF
the state was represented by at least two
or three delegates. In all probability
about 1000 persons jOurneyed to Hot
Springs to hear the candidate.
BrownsvilleP What's That?
With the summer colonists. the politi-
clans and the farmers came also lot OF
negroes. The most of them drove into
Hot Springs. Ask one of them about the
brownsville affair and hS would tell YOU
he never heard of il!
The Chesapeake and Ohio railroad dis
continued the sale of excursion tickets
early this morning. AT that time II was
said that about 5000 had been sold. The
railroad people said they could not handle
any more on the little single track spul
running up into the mountains from Gov
ington.
shortly before 1 o'clock. 1t was headed
Ivy TWO brass bands. The weather threat
ened rain all the morning and il looked
bad when Mr.. Taft began speaking.
Representative Slemp who made the
publican outlook in Virginia and the
south. Col s. Brown Allen of Stauntor
introduced Mr. Taft Col Allen presented
Mr.. Taft in these words:
A Tribute to Taft.
II pay to him in brief. here and now
on The very threshold of the campaign
the eloauent tribute that one of ou
southern statesmen once paid to Rober
f. Lee. He said of him that he was
foe without hate a friend without treach
cry. a soldier without cruelty. .victo
without oppression, a victim without muir
muring. a public officer without vice,
private citizen without wrong. neighbo
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