The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-05-25
TAFT REITERATES
SOUTHERN POLICY.
TAKE PART IN MECKLENBURG
CELEBRATION.
Repeats His Former Declarations
Predicts Political Tolerance IN
South.

Charlotte, n. c., May 2O.-Presl-
dent Taft came today to Charlotte,
the home Of the Meeklenburg Deelar-
alton Of Independence, signed IN May
of 17775, and without entering INTO
the discussion as to the wording OF
those resolutions Of liberty, placed
himself squarely on the side OF those
who look back upon this Declaration
as one Of the first significant steps
which led ultimately to American IN
dependence. In his address to the
people Of North Carolina, late in the
dav, the president took occasion to
explain more fully than he did at
Petersburg on yesterday his policy
toward the South. His own recent
appointment of a Democrat to the
Federal bench in this State gave him
an opportunity to expand upon MS
views. Mr.. Taft urged again the adj
visibility of an intelligent logical op-
position party. II do not believe that
we are on the point Of a political
revolution in the South,' said the
president. II never have had such
a dream. What I do desire, and be-
lieve we are on the eve Of, is COM
plete tolerance Of opinion and that
there shall grow into respect and
power an intelligent fighting opposl-
ton party in each State Of the un-
ion.'
The president political utterances
'mere received with the same fervor
Of enthusiasm as his tribute to the
sieners Of the Mecklenburg Declara-
ton. The auditorium, where he
spoke, was crowded to its capacity,
and he constantly was interrupted by
the cheers that rose spontaneously
from his Southern hearers. As to MS
appointment Of a Democrat upon the
bench the president declared that
throughout the South he intended to
pursue the policy he had already IN
dicated of appointing to office only
that man, whether Republican or
Democrat, who can command the
highest confidence and commend him.
self to the community in which he
lives.
Mr.. Taft's plea for political toler-
ance in the South and his statement
that he wanted the people of the
Southland to know that the WASH
ington government was not a govern
ment alien to them, had all the effect
of extemporaneous utterances' for
the president spoke without notes or
manuscript once he had drifted into
politics.
Storm Interrupts Parade.
A cloudburst breaking over the city
during II afternoon just as the
splendid Military, floral and civic
parade was passing in review Of the
president, promised serious conse-
ouences for time. The president re-
ceived quite a drenching, and for
time it seemed that the frail canvas
covering the reviewing stand would
tumble about the heads Of those be-
meath. Among these was Mrs.
"Stonewall" Jackson. When she had
met Mr.. Taft earlier in the day she
had earnestly exclaimed:
s'I am indeed delighted to know
the harmonizer of all our hearts,
President Speaks Twice.
President Taft spoke twice during
tie day. It had been intended that
he should address the public from the
reviewing stand, but the storm caused
a change of program, and the presl-
dent spoke first in the Charlotte aud
itorium at 80 p. NJ, and then was
driven two miles out Of the city and
spoke to the colored students Of Bid
diet university. Mr.. Taft declared
that he would not count visit to the
South complete without an opportunl-
ty to express to the colored people his
interest in them, and his sympathy
for them in their problems.
There was public reception to the
president tonight and he left on a
late train for Washington, where ne
is due to arrive shortly after noon to-
morrow.
The two days of constant dong,
the heat and dust Of the Petersburg
battlefield on yesterday and the
drenching downpour Of Charlotte to-
day were quite trying upon the presl-
dent. He was perccpitibly hoarse to-
day, and when he was speaking most
earnestly of his position toward the
South paused for & moment and eS-
claimed, amid laughter:
HOh. 7 wish I had not left my