The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1909-10-07
TAFT AT PORTLAND
Twenty Thousand School
Children Pay Tribute to
the President.
CHILDREN FORM HUMAN FLAG

oeicOme Exten0e0 Him In Fort.
land-His Ride Through the City
Made the Occasion of a Military
Display by the United States
Forces Stationed at Vancouver.
Portland, Oregon, Oct. Garry
ing out a program which was ar
ranged with special reference to his
comfort and convenience and yet cal
culated to give the people of the en-
tire city an opportunity to see him,
President Taft spent in Portland to-
day what he declared to be one of
the pleasantest days of his Western
trip.
The day of the Presidents visit
was one of cloudless skies and a
summer sun. There was but one un-
toward incident-the arrest of a man
who carried a camera and in his eff
forts to get into the front rank of
spectators just as the President was
leaving his hotel caused his appre-
hension by the police. When the
man, who gave his name as Arthur
G. Wright, was searched, revolver
and an extra supply of ammunition
was found upon him.
Wright tells straightforward
story. He states that he is drafts
man in the employ of the C. w. and
F. Smith Iron Co., of Roxbury, Mass
and that his mother lives in Biller-
lea, Mass, and his father at Lowell,
in the same State. Wright explain
ed his possession of special police
badge by saying it was given him
five years ago by Chief of Police
Hosmer. Wright says he has been
on three months pleasure jaunt
through the West. The police will
hold him pending further examina-
tion into his antecedents.
During the forenoon the President
received from 10000 school children
tribute which brought tears to his
eyes. The boys and girls were bank
ed in red. white and blue rows in the
grand stand on Multnomah field, to
form living flag"
This form of tribute has been Of
fered at other cities visited by Mr..
Taft on his trip, but at no other
place approached the magnitude of
| what proved to be the distinct feat
ure of the day.
The President entered the field
through a gate at the crest of hill
and the view of the children burst
| ing upon him all at once called out
an expression of wonderment and
delight. His entrance was the signal
for an outburst of cheering from
the fresh young voices which contin-
ued until Mr.. Taft had taken the
place arranged for him on stand
directly facing the flag" Then he
witnessed a drill by the children
which combined with their cheers
inspired him, he declared, as had nc
other sight in all his travels.
Following the motion of leader
the children stopped from view, ther
sprang to their feet with a cheer
which fairly pierced the ear, and
waved red, white and blue banners
in a perfect storm of flutterins
colors.
| Then at the command of the lead
er to spell Taft" one set of child
rem, with loud shout of ''T," helt
up yellow banners to form that let
ter. Then came the CA" "F," ant
the final 'T', followed by a crashing
cry of Taft" which seemed to echt
back again from the far distan
mountains.
During the exhibition the Presi
dent stood with eyes fixed upon tn,
children. He asked that the spellin,
tears came.
The children were a mass of NOV
ing colors which caused Mr.. Taft un
consciously to nod his head from sid
to side in unison with the music an
the flowing picture before him
When the drill ended and the child
rem had been called to attention, tn
President addressed few words t
them.
: 81 did not intend to make
speech" he said, ''but have been 8
inspired by you that 1 cannot refrai
from expressing my gratitude 70
your wonderful drill and the beaut
full effort. 1t inspires us who see Il
and hope you who participate In i
with sense of patriotism and lov
of country. / have been greeted b
the school children of nearly ever
2 city l have visited but no exhibitio
r no demonstration has been NOR
: beautiful than this. You call you
4 city the City of Roses because Of tn
/ beautiful flowers, but I look no
upon 10000 human roses, upo
which I congratulate your city an
!. your parents much more. I hope ths
. . you will cherish this occasion as or
q which will bring back with its men
ory the loyal thought of love {
country. God bless you all"
The President has been anxio,
that in every city he has visited Il
people should have an opportunity
], satisfying the always prevalent d
: sire to see the President OF the coul
e try, regardless Of who may tempo
+ arily hold that Office and has bet
yexed at one or two places whe