The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-02-13

ties in honor of the Prssident-eiect of the United States.
 q have known Mir. Taft for several years and the moro I have known him. the better I have learned to admire and rAsteefn him. In common with mated by that genial smile that w'filnot come off--a smile that ts not artiffcisI but is the reflection ofSa heart full Of penevolence and overflowink with the milk of human Kindness. :. ss ,s The. people Of the United States nave chosen as President q man whose dsvotion to his country Is not restrict sd py state lines or by sectional bias, but who loves his fellow citizens. whether they come from the east or west north or south. who win be President of the whole nation. who VIII administer the affairs of his coun- try with even handed and Simpartiai justice.
 "When your honored guest was in Georgia, q few weeks ago, he won the hearts of the people there. and he in- would give him their Affections for se4 days in the year and they would vote for whom they plaased on the 3eBth day.
 Judging from the enth usiasm of the people of the Crescent. City, I believe they wiAbestow their affections on the Presidenf-eiect for 3sz Jays and on the remaining day they will give him their travel farther and fare worse.
 Nearly thirty years ago, on arriving ~ queenstown from New York, saw mat the people of Great Britain and ireland were In high state of en- tnusiasm over the election to parlia- ment of Mr. Gladstone. who once. more became prime minister Of Engiand. The people greeted him everywhere fiam-' ..'"
 Our William, And. I am sure that the gentIemen assembled here tonight, and the men and women of New Orleans, and the citizens ar large throughout the United States. will take equal pride in calling our honored guest by the familiar, but endearinE nape of Our William" z The invocation foiiows:
 We pray thee. O, God of Might. Wisdom and Justice, through whom authority is rightly Administered. laws are enacted and judgment decreed. as- sist with thy Holy Spirit of counsel ana forfitude the PFesident-eiect Of these United States. that his administration may be conducted in rfghteousness and be eminentiy useful to thy people over whom he presides by encouraging due respect Tor virtue and religion; by faithful execution of the laws in ius- tice and mercy, and by restraining vice and immortality. vouchsafe, o Lord, 70 bless us and fheps thy gifts which We are to receive from thy bountffuf hand, Christ Our Lord, Amen"
 As soon as the brii1iancy lighted and decorafed banquet hall had been filled. MT Taft was tremendously invested with the jewel ana title of the Prince of the Philippines" by the Imperial Am- bassador of Rex. Judge Larry o'Don- nell, the compliment being forernn- ner of the carnival season.
 MT. Taft accepted in thes same spirit of fun. saying he would takeSthe token with the understanding that 1t would not involve him in the meshes of the constitutional provision against the ac- ceptance of emoiument or honor from foreign prince or potentate.
 'The Speeches Begin.
 It was-late when. the oratory of the evening began with an introductory address by Chairman Werlein of the Progressive Union, who told of the manner m which every resident of the city had taken part. He enumerated the distinguished guests Sof many Eneighborfng States, the consuls of for- eign countrtes. all combined to make good the claim of the city as the win. ter capttals of the nation
 The Lincoln anniversary was referred 70 and received with great enthusiasm. elect from the Second District, follow ed with an euioGy of Lincoln and as- sured Mfr. Taft he was looked to with good will by the South.
 N The desired development of the Ms sissippi River was made apparent to MT. Taft by Mayor Behrman in q short
 Governor Sanders brought the raft smile into play by frank statement that the State was interested in tarifr protection on sugar and rice.
 It was after midnight when Mir. Taft was introduced to speak ''as one we expect more of than any other President ever given to this country"
 Judge Taft is Happy.
 It was with considerable hesitation, he said that he arose. "because there have been so many things fired at me"
 Don't promise too much." he said had been the advice given him tonight
 Much merriment was caused in tho manner in which Mir. Taft took jolt" as he said, out of the solid Democratic politics of the State.
 With earnestnesB. however, he said his course as President should be for the best interest of the States South of the Mason and Dixon line as well as for other sections
 It had moved his heart to hear the tribute which had been paid to Abra-
 AS to the waterway Mir. Taft said he had been asked If Congress would consider the $500. 900, 900 bond issue at the extra session.
 T have to say" he remarked with delibefation. ''that Congress will con sider at its extra session what Con- srsss chooses to consider"
 He made it clear. however, that he was earnestly interested in river in7- provement and Incidentally gave his interest in the Ohio river plans.
 He gave his express approval of the bond issue plan, but indicated that it could hardly be looked for without strong and earnest public sentiment to impress the plan on Congress.
 siEo far as my Influence win go 1t will he exerted in favor of those enter \ prises."
 MT. Taft repeated his words of the day before. regarding the Panama Canal.
 Nc Graft in Panama. E with a full understanding of the weight of the words I use, I wish to say and to challenge any evidence to emphasis "that the money which has been expended on that canal. every dollar and every cent of 1t have been expended in the interest of the gov ernrnent and not one dollar has been traced to graft in any way -
 Then referring again to criticism in Congress, Mr. Taft said that in their eloquence, some members of Congress forget the obligation that is on them
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