The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-07-06
TAFT TALKS ON
MANS RIGHT TO
FREE WORSHIP
Religious intolerance Fast Be-
coming Thing of Past,
Says President
Speaks at Celebration of the
Fourth of July in Nor
Wich, Conn.

celebration OF the two hundred and
hftieth anniversary Of this historic old
New England town. In an address to
the people. after a fine military parade
and civic display. the president, finding
q theme in the church influence in the
foundation OF Norwich. expressed his
views on the liberty OF religious belief.
He pleaded that every man should
be allowed to worship God in his own
way The president declared amid
laughter that the American fore
fathers came TO this country ostensibly
10 escape religious intolerance. but as
q matter Of fact in order that they
might follow out their own religious
ideas in their own way and with a
large degree Of Intolerance toward any
other form Of belief
We have passed beyond that now"
said the president. and are coming
more and more 10 realize the right Of
the individual 10 worship God as he
may choose"
The pageant was held on a grassy
plat. surrounded by giant trees. Sew
ersl hundred persons took part in the
q blesux, the Indian dances. the battle
between the tribes and the portrayal
Of the march OF historic events.
The president lunched with W. Tracy
Williams Of Eantic. Later he reviewed
? parade, addressed the people from
the reviewing stand, held q reception
in the Buckingham memorial and wit
messed tonight a brilliant display OF
fireworks. He left late tonight for AL
bany. n. Y. en- route 10 the celebration
Al Lake Champlain.
MANY CHEER TAFT
On the way from Boston to Norwich
the train stopped for few minutes at
Putnam. where a crowd OF 1000 or
more people was gathered. Among
others the postnan. T. 2. Letters.
boarded the car and was introduced to
the president Taft declared he thought
that a MI Letters ought to make a
mighty good postmaster" The crowd
was insistent for q speech and the
president finally appeared on the plat
form and congratulated the people Of
Putnam upon having such z fine day
for their celebration OF the fourth Of
July.
I want to say" he continued. that
I am very much in favor Of the
weather OF Massachusetts, today"
This is Connecticut" interrupted a
Eruf voice from the crowd.
I'll have 10 study UP on my geog-
raphy," re5oined the president, laugh
ing
Immediately after his arrival here
the president was driven direct TO
Rockwell terrace. where he witnessed
the historic pageant which was the
spectacular feature OF the days cele-
bration. The pageant depicted. among
other things. a battle between the
Mohfkan Indians. under Chief Uncas,
and the Narragansetts. under Chief
MiantOnOmOh.
AT CRAVE OF UNCAS
President Taft was later driven by
the grave OF Uncas. on Sachem street,
down where q monument stands to HIS
memory. The pageant led down
through various other historical events
associated with Norwich to the re-
turn OF the volunteers from the civil
war. and concluded with a portrayal
OF the hope Of the future in the march
ing OF several hundred little school
children.
The president was the guest Of honor
st the home Of ". 7. Williams. Rookie
clyffe at Ysntic. where covers were
laid for 200. This afternoon the presi-
dent reviewed q parade and made an
address 70 the people from the review
ing stand.
CALIFORNIA ARROW
The program Of the day opened early
with a flight Of the airship the Calf
fornia Arrow by Captain Thomas S.
Baldwin from the Country club
grounds.
AT 10 o'clock President Taft and his
party. including Captain Butt. his mill
tary aid. and Assistant Secretary Misch-
Ter. arrived on a special train from
Boston as the guests of the committee
Of amusements. AS the president ap-
peared a battery on Gears Hill fired
the salute OF Il guns.
The appearance Of the president was
the signal for cheering by the crowds
ct the station Among those who met
the president was his brother. Horace
j.. Taft.
Killed by Cannon Cracker
LOUISVILLE. ky, July s.-The un-
enviable distinction Of having made
the most notable sacrifice TO patriotism
BY way Of Independence day contri-
button this year viii probably fall to
Louisville through the death at Sey-
mour, Ind. early today Of Arthur Gran
vile Langhsm, former president Of the
Provident life assurance society.
Lsnghsm never recovered from the
effects Of having had his right hand
y
cracker late last night He was one
Of party OF Louisville society
folk who were spending the weekend
~ the home at Seymour OF John J.
Peter, Lanzham's brother in law.
A cannon cracker thrown lighted
upon the lawn failed 10 explode and
Langham took il in his hand and re-
lighted It. The cracker burst In his
grasp. tearing the hand frigbtfully. He
was operated on at once. but never re-
gained consciousness.
Langham was a member Of the in
sursnce firm Of Barbee & Castieman Of
Louisville He assumed national finan-
cial prominence in 1908 by gaining con-
troll OF the PrOvident. then a point of
difference between Governor Hughes
and Insurance Commissioner Otto KEEL
sey OF New York Later he was elect
ed president
Langham was the uncle Of the Bar
oness Speck Won Sternburg. widow OF
the former German ambassador to the
United States and OF the Comtesse de
Paramount. wife Of the naval attache
Of the French embassy at Washington.
His widow. formerly Miss Stella Peter
OF New York. is at present with Bar
oness Won Sternburg in Europe.
TammaHy Celebrates
NEW YORK. July 5.-With its ira
ditional enthusiasm the Society OF
Tsmmany had its annual fourth OF
July. celebration today. throng OF