Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-05-20
The President 10 Charlotte.

Charlotte, n. O., May 20.-Greeted
with salute of twenty-one guns By the
Charlotte Artillery, and with cheers from
the threats of $4,000 people gathered
from the surrounding counties, President
Taft arrived here this morning to assist
in the celebration OF the l34th anniver-
Ssry OF the signing Of the Mecklenburg
declaration of independence
When the presidents train arrived,
shortly after 10 O'Clock, troop E, Of the
lib U. s. Cavalry, was drawn up at the
station waiting to act as his gusrd of
honor throughout the day. The COVER
nor Of the state, the mayor OF the city,
number Of distinguished invited guests,
and the 18th U. S. Infantry band were
also on hand, 10 addition to the towns
people and sxcursionists to welcome the
nations chief.
From the station, the president was
escorted through the streets to a man.
moth grand stand where he reviewed q
parade of military and civic orgauizi-
lions, listened to speeches and made one
himself.
In the evening the town will be illumi-
mated In honor Of the president and the
Mecklenburg declaration. 10 order that
the illumination might be IS general as
possible the local electric light company
has given all the merchants of the town
free power for the occasion.
Charlotte, N. O., May 20 President
Taft has been more than half won over
10 the aide of the Mecklenburg declars-
too of independence contenders, and
when be makes his speech to the people
of Charlotte at four p. m. today he will
come out strong for the authenticity OF
the document that many authorities
assert was never written. "There is no
doubt whatever" said the president on
the way to Oharlottee," that declsra.
ton of independence was drawn up.
There is no doubt that the cololists OF
Mecklenburg decided to sever their con-
nectlon with Great Britain. But whether
the declaration they framed contained
the language that Jefferson used in the
declaration Of independence of July
fourth, 1776, Is q matter OF controversy"
In bis address this afternoon the
president will take the Mecklenburg
declaration as an example OF the manner
in which the Anglo. Saxons go about the
business of self-imprOvement and prog
ress.
The president was escorted to the
selwyn Hotel as soon IS he arrived and
later reviewed great parade. A driz.
zle OF rain marred the day In q great
measure, but the original programme
was carried out 10 spite OF the uDpless-
ant weather. Mrs. StoneWsll Jackson,
the venerable widow OF the Confederate
war hero, was introduced to the president
at the hotel aud occupied seat 10 the
!; presidents box on the reviewing stand.
Charlotte, N. O., May 2O.-A cloud
burst occurred In the middle of the pa
rade at 1880 p. m. and panic resulted
in the crowd surrounding the presidents
stand. One of the electric light wires
10 the street In front of the stand was
broken by passing float and loud
explosion accompanied by q binding
fash within 100 feet of the president
added to excitement. Water poured
through canopy over President Taft 10
sheets and his silk hat and coat we're
drenched In spite of efforts made by his
aide, Capt. Bait, TO protect him with
o umbrella.
The parade had to be abandoned A scrar-
ble was made by the crowd outside TO get
into shelter Of presidents stand and for time
| it looked as though structure would be
smashed by weight. Police succeeding in
getting back before the dreaded damage oc-
Cured. President laughed through the ex-
Element and kept up good natured conser-
walton with those around him while water
ran in rivulets of his mustache and chin.
As soon a. the worst Of the storm was
over he was hustled into closed automobile
and taken back to Selwyn Hotel