The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-01-20

Atlanta, Ca. Jan. 15.-President-
elect Taft has been in the cordial and
hospitable embrace of Georgia all day.
Recognizing e climax of the varied
and continuous demonstration in the
brilliant and imposing scene presented
at the banquet here tonight he eX-
claimed with evidences OF great feel
ing:
II had not hoped to win the South,
but the South has won me-"
The banquet was the most ambiti-
Gus event of its kind the city has ever
undertaken. Though participated in
by more than five hundred of the city's
representative men. II was gloried in
by the entire population.
Atlanta's welcome to Mr.. Taft be-
gan In the railroad yards, where all
locomotives tied open their whistles
and ceased only when he had retired
for the night at his hotel Thousands
were mt the station. thousands follow
ed him through the streets as he was
drawn by four cream colored horses
TO the capitol. Governor Smith and
committee of seventy gave him for
| NAL reception. after which the gov
erLor presented him to the tremen-
dous crowd. and Mr.. Taft once more
voiced his reciprocity of cordiality and
good feeling at this reception. He was
at once escorted by squad Of mount
ed police to the Piedmont Hotel,
where he was rendered a reception by
the Chamber of Commerce, the Ohio
Society and Yale alumni.
Governor-elect Brown came with
Mr.. Taft. Governor Smith received
him. and the officials OF the city and
State generally participated in his well
come.
Mr.. Taft win speak to the negroes
here In the morning, go to Athens to
make an address at the State Univer-
sity and return for the reception at
the Capital City Club tomorrow night.
On his trip here he made speeches
at Thomson, Crawfordsyilie, Green's
boro. Madison. Society Circle and De-
-catur.
Ihe features OF the banquet includ-
ed not only the striking appearance of
the high. pillared room. with its white
walls and flag scheme Of decorations.
but quaint programme of old-time
negro songs. illustrating the primitive
lie 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 being
formed by the speakers table, set be-
fore forest Of palms and ferns. Di-
rectly behind the guest Of honor was
an electric flag. which lot only waved.
but flashed forth a likeness of Mr..
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 BILLY
possum." constructed after the man
ner OF the Teddy bear" to be the en-
Diem 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 Mr.. Taft, the speakers were
asa u Gambler. toastmaster; Governor
Hoke Smith. Mayor Robert f. Mad
dox and Judge Tohmas G.. Jones. Ala
bama- OF the Federal bench.
What was taken as the most lasting
and satisfactory feature of Mr.. Taft's
speech was his expressed desire TO an
point to Federal positions in the South
only such men as stand high as citl
zens In the localities In which they
live.
Judge TART had given care to the
preparation of his banquet speech, re-
garding Ii as his important utterance
or the day. and In its delivery he fol-
lowed his manuscript closely. He had
come South for rest to tired nerves
after strenuous political campaign.
he began, but when he realized he had
fallen into the hands of the strenuous
Atiantians he began to realize that his
rest was to be seriously broken.
Mr.. Taft said with feeling that he
was proud to have been the first rev.
olution candidate for the presidency
at.h hnal l.l,I IL l..