The Washington herald., 1909-11-03

| Birmingham, Ala. Nov. I'm con-
GLIDING his speech before 500 Industrial
School girls at Columbus. Miss, to-day.
President Taft declared in favor OF suf-
frage for women when they all desired
It.
I am not a rabid sufragist," he as
serted. The truth IS 7 am not in favor
Of suffrage for women until I can be
convinced that all women desire It. and
when they desire It 1 am in favor Of
giving It 20 them: and when they desire
it they will get It. too do believe that
one Of the advantages OF giving them
that kind Of influence will be more GER
tainly to open the avenues OF self-sup-
port to them"
Dixie COnvinces Taft.
Another day spent IN what President
Taft calls che heart Of the South" has
convinced him Southerpers are willing 20
meet him more than half way In his am
bition TO restore the old-time influence Of
Dixieland in the central government
The President regards his meetings in
the State Of Mississippi as the most Sig
nihcant evidence he has found OF the cor
dial attitude OF the entire South toward
him.
There were six or seven Of these Mis-
sissipDi receptions to-day. and any one OF
them would have attracted unusual at
fanfiop a. q gtr,-.~ u o~,,Lr{-a.. O.
these meetings the President renewed his
pledge to help the South. and cited the
appointment Of Secretary Dickinson 10
his Cabinet as an earnestness Of his de-
sire 10 have the South resume an active
role in the government at Washington.
In a speech at the industrial school at
Columbus, Miss, the President made this
statement. Il shall be glad that I shall
not have any property 20 leave 60 my
boys. OF whom I have two. but only
good chance and a pride in themselves
and a good education. but. for my daugh-
ter. am going 10 scrape the ground as
much as 1 can 10 give her as good an
education as I can. so that she may fol-
low the lesson that I have sought 10
teach her. that she may marry only when
she chooses 10 marry, and not because OF
circumstances"
No Hurry 60 Marry.
This statement was the concluding one
In Mr.. Tafts speech to the girls. He had
advised them not to be In a hurry 10
marry. He said: I wish that every WON
an in the world was so situated that
she did not think il necessary for her TO
marry Il she did not want TO. That is
a proposition I am prepared 70 defend
against all Corners.
I am the last one 10 take a position
against the old common law doctrine, that
there ought to be nothing TO interfere
with matrimony. But / would have the
matter so arranged that the women. when
they come 20 decide and make their
choices. may have a full and free choice.
The great trouble has been" said the
President. that we have not given the
women fair show. We have not opened
all the avenues 20 livelihood that the
woman is quite as well able to fill. and in
certain respects better able 10 iii than
We are"
In his speeches in Mississippi the Presl-
dent has outlined the plea that he made
70 the other Southern States in the last
week Of his trip. Speaking before an
audience Of 5000 or 1000 in the public
square at Columbus. he said. Now. YOU
Southern people are an emotional people
We have some emotion IN the North. too.
but If there is any difference YOUR hearts
expand more easily and you are more sem
sitive. possibly, than we are
In order TO understand the Southern
people, especially with respect to issues
Of the war and what grew out Of il. in
order to understand their present position.
one must know that your hearts and emo
tons are broad enough TO entertain en-
tire loyalty 10 the issues OF the past. for
which you fought so nObly 10 sustain. and
entire loyalty TO our present government.
for which you would be willing 10 Law
down your life If occasion required il.
Now, that is what I know the Southern
nature to be. and that is why I come and
appeal TO you, if appeal is necessary. and
1 don't believe it is, that you hold up the
hands OF an administration that is not
seeking your votes. but is asking yOur
support and sympathy during an admin
istratiOn already begun"
JOY COnvinces Him.
In another speech at Kosciusko. the
President assured the South that he was
not after their votes. and indicated how
much import he attached to the cordial
attitude of Mississippi toward him.
The President reached this city at 7:SO
o'clock this evening, and was entertained
at a banquet He Will be here until 4
o'clock tomorrow afternoon.