The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-16
SPLENDID BANQUET IS
 TtNDERED TOHONORED
 GUEST OF ATLANTANS
Judge Taft Makes a Speech at the Banquet and Says He Had Not Hoped to Win the South,
 But the South Has
 Won Him.


 William H. Taft has been in the cordial and hospitable embrace of Georgia all day Recognizing the climax of the va ried and continuous demonstrations in the brilliant and imposing scene presented at the banquet here tonight, he exclaimed with evidences of great feeling:
 q had not hoped to win the south, but the south has won me-"
 The banquet was the most ambitious dertaken. Though participated in by more than 500 of the city's representative men, it was gloried in by the entire>p popula- tion. It, and the preceding eloquence of welcome extended to MT. Taft in his re- ception at the capitol and at the Pied mont hotel where he was sought by thou sands, constitute a brilliant chapter in his record of achievements south of Ma son & Dixon's line.
 ''Tallxing through Georgia" is literal description of his trip today from Au- gusta to Atlanta. And wherever the spe- cial train which Atlanta provided came to a halt there were cheering crowds, evidencing their cordiatity by floral trib- utes. by cheers. hs,cssy snd speeches. in he was respected. admired and loved. Bunch of vioIets. A little bunch of violets plucked from the grave of Alexander Stephens and presented by grand-niece of the dis tinguished Georgian, touched a tender cord and brought forth a warm tribute to the memory of Stephens at Crawfords- ville
 The young men of Emery college were cheered on their way at Covington and the girl students of Agnes Scott insti- ute at Decatur were addressed as my girl friends and talked to pleasantly.
 When Mayor Butler of Madison pre- dicted "a term of eight years for Taft the big Ohioan responded by saying that he hoped the mayor was true prophet.
 Atlanta's welcome to MT. Taft began in the railroad yards, where all locomo- lives tied open their whistles, and ceased only when he had retired for the night at his hotel. Thousands were at the station, thousands followed him through the streets as he was drawn by four cream -colored horses to the capitol. Gov ernor Smith and committee of 70 gave him a formal reception, after which the governor presented him to the tremend- ous crowd and Mir. Taft once more voiced his reciprocity of cordiality and good feel ing at his reception. He was at once escorted by squad of mounted police to the Piedmont hotel, where he was ten dered a reception by the chamber of commerce, the Ohio society and Yale alumni.
 General Welcome.
 Governor-elect Brown came with MT. Taft, Governor Smith received him, and the officials of the city and state gen orally participated in his welcome.
 MT Taft will speak to the negroes here in the morning, go to Athens to make an address at the State university and return for the reception at the Capital City club tomorrow night
 On his trip here he made speeches at Thomson, Crawfordville. Greensboro, So- cial Circle, Madison and Decatur
 Features of Banquet.
 The features of the banquet included not only the striking appearance of the high pillared room with its white walls and flag scheme of decorations, but a quaint programme of old-time negro songs illustrating the primitive life and tastes of slavery days, sung as solos by preachers, doctors and judges.
 The tables were the streamers of two huge flags, the field of each be- ing formed by the speakers table set pf fn,. Directly behind the guest of honor was an electric flag which not only waved but flashed forth likeness of MT. Taft when the President-elect arose to speak.
 After the 'possum 'taters and sim mon beer had been served and the many other courses of the feast, the guests. led by the orchestra, broke into song. Judge Taft joined heartily in the merriment. He was presented with a Billy 'Possum' constructed after the manner of the Freddy Bear to be the emblem of his administration. He was also made the recipient of a silver pocket water flask bearing the coat of arms of Georgia the gift of Mrs James Longstreet.
 Besides MT. Taft, the speak CTS were Asa G. Candler. toastmaster; Gov. Hoke Smith, Mayor Robert F. Maddox and Judge Thomas G. Jones of Alabama, of the federal bench.
 What was taken as the most lasting and satisfactory feature of MT. Tafts speech was his expressed desire to ap- point to federal positions in the south only such men as stand high as citizens in the localities In which they live.
 Enjoyed the 'Possum.
 As prelude to his written speech, MT. Taft who began to speak sh ortly before midnight, paid his respects to
 
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