The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-01-19
Gillian in St. Louis Post Dispatch.

of winning the South over as they
say, but that the South has SIC
ceeded in winning me.
''Ir my coming has been partisan
no such meeting as this tonight
would have been possible, and SO
may say of all the receptions and
expressions of good will and welcome
that 1 have received from point to
point throughout the Southern coun-
try. The very success Of my trip.
the very reason why it gives me ST.
much satisfaction, is the pronounced
non partisan character Of tie we'-
come which has been so kindly cX-
tended to me.
"Now if this indirectly makes, not
for a partisan advantage, but for =
continuance of the movement in fa-
vor Of independence Of speech and
action and political tolerance its
result is one that all citizens Of what
ever political party must rejoice to
nave brought dDOuL.
THE direct local effect of a na:.
ional administration upon tho South
is chiefly through their functions
through the section, and therefore
the expression Of the Adminissra-
tion toward the Southern people
takes it's color in the character of
those officials, and there the admin
istration may be properly held at-
countable and it's policies determln-
ed by the qualifications fitness and
standing of the men appointed to
represent it in the districts and
States of the section. l realize,
therefore, that expressions OF sym
pathy with the South and an earnest
desire to bring it closer to the central
government in thought and action
and feeling will have comparatively
little weight unless this expression
is accomplished by such appoint
ments in the South as shall prove
this sympathy to be real and substan-
tial.
"All I can say with reference to
the future policy Of the administra-
ton in the South on this subject
is that l expect to spare no effort
to find out the facts in respect
to the character Of the proposed ap-
pointees, and so far as In me lies
to select men whose characte" and
reputation and standing in the COM
munity commend them to their fel-
low citizens as persons qualified and
able to discharge their duties well,
and whose presence in important
positions will remove, If any such
thing exists, the sense Of alienism in
the government which they represent.
"Of course, the immediate great
work of the administration must be
the revision of the tariff" he said.
I'm that work the South is quite
as much interested as the North, and
would have an honest and genuine
revision such as has been promised
by the party in power"
He gave assurance to the Southern
people that mo interest Of the
South, whether it share that interest
with the North, or whether it has
peculiar interest Of its own, will
he neglected in the conduct Of the
government in SO far as that conduct
shall be under the control Of it's
Chief Executive" In concluding,
Mr.. Taft said
Il beg Of those Of my hearers who
differ with me politically not to sup
pose that their cordiality and courte-
Gus reception are misunderstood by
me. | know that they spring from
an earnest and patriotic desire to
pay proper respect to the great Oh
fee to which | have been elected,
and that they grow out Of sincere
wish and proper assumption, that
having been elected to the Chief
Magistracy. I shall become The Pres
ident. not of party, but of whole
united people"