Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1909-10-07
TAFT IN PORTLAND.
Genial Smile Wins Hearts of Public
Throngs.

Genial Smile Wins Hearts Of Public
Throngs.
Portland, Oct. 4.-Portland re-
ceived President Taft as guest of
honor with splendid hospitality and
a limitless expression of hearty
good will and frank affection. To the
Nations chief executive it proved a
day of good cheer, unmarried by sim
gle untoward incident.
The president enjoyed 1t all to the
utmost; enjoyed every moment of the
day from the easy formality of the
greeting accorded him upon his arrival
at the Union depot to the afternoon of
golf-golf 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 he
first stepped from his private car into
the CHEEKY sunshine of an ideal Oregon
morning. It's infection of good nature
spread wherever he went. Whenever
he appeared he put every one at ease
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 a 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 bopsital. 1t was thus that
the brief hour of his mornings leisure
time was spent.
1t is to the rising generation that
credit must 60 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 at
first, passed to mood of seriousness
as that wondrous flag waved back and
forth with the life that tomorrow must
possess itself of the Nation.
The Presidents appearance tapped
exhaustless reservoirs of enthusiastic
and affectionate applause wherever he
went.
"This is all splendid, splendid-th
day is perfect-everything is perfect, "
he told Mayor Simon, who was seated
beside him in the automobile.
Half an hour after luncheon a car
drew up for him at the hotel and he
departed for the afternoon for his ia
vorite pastime, golf Returning with
a keen appetite he ate dinner privately
and made ready for his appearance at
the Armory. The military escort again
accompanied him and thousands OF
people were in the streets awaiting his
appearance.
Presiednt Taft closed one of the hap
piest and most delightful visits of his
life late yesterday Afternoon, when he
boarded his special train at the Union
depot and departed from Portland.
southbound. He said as much himself,
and with unmistakable sincerity, as he
stood on the observation platform OF
his car and bade farewell to those who
had assembled to see him on his way.
at has all been delightful. | can't
thank YOU enough for the way I've been
treated. I've never had a happier
visit" he said-not once, but many
times, as he stood shaking hands with
friends and officials.
Until the departing train was lost to
view he stood on the platform, smiling
and waving at those gathered about
the depot grounds. He seemed 10th to
go, and it was not until the train had
passed onto the Steel bridge that he
turned into his car. The President
took with him from Portland only the
happiest memories. His choice in Sc
lecting Portland for the longest stop of
his itinerary, New Orleans alone ex-
cepted, was justified.