The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1909-10-07
TAFT IN PORTLAND.
Genial Smile Wins Hearts of Public
Throngs.

Throngs.
Portland, Oct. 4.-Portland re-
ceived President Taft as guest Of
honor with splendid hospitality and
limitless expression of hearty
good will and frank affection. To the
Nations chief executive it proved a
day of good cheer, unmarried by a sim
gle untoward incident.
The president enjoyed 1T all to the
utmost; enjoyed every moment of the
day from the easy formslity of the
greeting accorded him upon his arrival
at the Union depot to the afternoon of
golf-gof played in the invigorating
tang of perfect October day.
Throughout the day he found only the
most profound consideration for his
comfort and welfare.
There were no exacting demands
upon his energies. The day was bar
rem of firing programs, long speeches
or wearisome ceremonies.
An affection manifested itself In the
public greeting which had its origin
quite apart from the fact that he was
the great American, the first man of
the land. That infectious smile pos
sessed itself of his features when be
first stepped from his private car into
the CHEEKY sunshine of an ideal Oregon
morning. Its infection of good nature
spread wherever he went. Whenever
he appeared he put every one at case
by the easy informality of his de-
meanor-and that smile. And then
Portland got deeper insight into the
real mean; got glimpse into the rich
and wholesome nature of which that
smile is the natural expression.
For when his triumphal procession
through the streets was at an end and
there was half hour at his disposal
for whirl about the city, he elected
to dispense with the tempting spin
and go to the bedside of his friend,
Judge George H. Williams, at the Good
Samaritan hopsital. 1t was thus that
the brief hour of his mornings leisure
time was spent.
1t is to the rising generation that
credit must go for the predominating
and never to-be-forgotten feature OF
the welcoming demonstrations. There
have been living flags before. But
never have the Stars and Stripes been
wrought into such a wholesome, in
spring fabric as that formed by Port
land school children. 1t was an epitome
of the boundless spirit of youthful pat
riotism. The President, smiling al
first, passed to a mood of seriousness
as that wondrous flag waved back anc
forth with the life that tomorrow mus
|, possess itself of the Nation.
/ The Presidents appearance tapped
exhaustless reservoirs of enthusiastic
} and affectionate applause wherever hs
! went.
"This is all splendid, splendid
: day is perfect-everything is perfect,
he told Mayor Simon, who was seated
, beside him in the automobile.
: Half an hour after luncheon cal
: drew up for him at the hotel and h
} departed for the afternoon for his fla
: vorite pastime, golf. Returning wit
3 keen appetite be ate dinner privatel
and made ready for his appearance a
, the Armory. The military escort agai
| accompanied him and thousands o
e people were in the streets awaiting hi
] appearance.
: President Taft closed one of the hap
piest and most delightful visits Of hi
< life late yesterday Afternoon, when h
t boarded his special train at the Unto
t depot and departed from Portland
r southbound. He said as much himself
n and with unmistakable sincerity, as h
i stood on the observation platform O
t his car and babe farewell to those VIII
o had assembled to see him on his way
] ut has all been delightful. | can
y thank you enough for the way I've bee
8 treated. I've never had a hsppie
: visit" he said-not once, but man
k times, as he stood shaking hands wit
8 friends and officials.
e Until the departing train was lost
: view he stood on the platform, smilin
e and waving at those gathered sbou
e the depot grounds. He seemed 10th
: go, and it was not until the train ha
e passed onto the Steel bridge that b
8 turned into his car. The Presider
r took with him from Portland only tn
e happiest memories. His choice in s,
e lecting Portland for the longest stop {
his itinerary, New Orleans alone e,
cepted, was justified.