The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-19
TAFT DID GREAT WORK
IN INVASION OF SOUTH
Attack Southern Traditions That Bind Voters to Dem
ocracy Leaves Its Mark-Speaker Was
Roman III Rome"
By JAMES Hay, JR.

against a protective tariff, when their
growing industries have taken life and
strength from a protective tariff. That
bis teachings made converts, Is proved
by the fact that the longer he stayed
IN the South the larger were his audi
ences, md everywhere he was heard
with interest and enthusiasm
SOuth's Reception.
Another phase of his Southern trip
was the way Ia which he was impressed
with the charm Of the South and South
ern people. Not so many brass bands
welcomed him here as was the rule in
The West-this being true because
Southerners would rather listen TO the
girls sing in the moonlight than to shut
themselves up IN stufy room and
practice with the trOmbOne-5ut they
got up at O'Clock in the morning 10
hear him speak And waen a Southern
gentleman is up and downtown at 5 IN
the morning, he is interested for fair.
Nor was this courteous treatment and
Gordialty confined 10 the men IN
Bristol, Tenn, ne was heard By group
OF Southern women who had dropped in
on their way 10 ball, and stayed
through the speech.
Southern Democrats proved that they
could welcome a political opponent with
all the courtesy and compliment for
which they are famous. Al Chatta-
nooga, Tenn, one Of the most prominent
Representative Moon, L Democrat
For long time there has been gen
eral idea that the only Republicans IN
the South were patriotic gentlemen who
Travelled 60 Washington, plucked from
the Towering tree OF Federal patronage
a juicy job. and travelled home 10 enjoy
the usufruct thereof. OF some localities
in the South, this is true to this day
But the slow awakening TO the advan-
tages Of RepubHcanism o. this section
the awakening which Taft wanted 10
make cOmplete-ls doing away with
such a condition, and there are actually
many men who are Republicans because
they believe In RepubllCantsIn. and not
because they want room IN Uncle
Sam hotel Thus, Tar. was received
by real Republicans and real Democrats.
one more thing about the trip was
notable. That vas the pleasant I'M
preston Taft made en- the men and
women Of the South. Working under
the strain Of almost innumerable
speeches throughout the Middle West
and intermountain States, he rushed
into a land where chivalry is the uni
VerSal thing and the bow is so regu-
lated. that II IL were the fraction or
an inch deeper IL would be grOteSque,
and if II were a particle less profound
IL would indicate lack OF respect for
the person receiving the homage OF II
He found himself among people who
have mace of hospitality a fine art
and Of pretty compliment a science.
W men IN hOLne-
Il would not have been strange II he
had failed to show up % advantage in
such an atmosphere. But. when II
came TO the bow. the iollying word,
and the compliment. he was right there.
| He put the ball over the plate every
| time. and nobody caught him going
10 sleep on the bases. From the plat
form and in private conversation. he
| had the bells ringing the whistles
| blowing. and the bands playing 70 q
fare-you-well.
In every other part Of the country
! men We're brought up to him and intro
| duced in language about ike this:
This is Mr.. Smith. who Is the great
/ est politician in Jhis section"
| Down here they were brought Up and
| presented about as follows:
| This is Colonel Brown, one OF the
J most distinguished men in the South
sub"
/ In the South It IS greater to be dis
I tingushed than TO be a politician.
/ Judge Taft realized this and he was
| always ready with the right phrase q
/ acknowledge his appreciation Of the
| coloneis distinguished career In that
! country full Of men who hold the rec
! ord for deep diving into the dictionary
I and coming up with a mouth full Of
words sweet as honey and phrases
I smooth as oil. the judge took a few
I pIungeS himself. And his plunges were
/ successful and satisfying to the South
1 eTn mind and heart.
] Tafts speeches were different there
/ from what hey were I'm other sections
/ In the South cold argument aud dry
/ facts are not entertained IS public