Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1909-01-22
GEORGIA WARMLY
WELCOMES TAFT
HIS JOURNEY FROM AUGUSTA TO
ATLANTA LIKE TRIUMPH.
CLIMAX is BIG BANQUET
President-Eiect Tells Southerners He
Recognizes the Great Advan-
taae of Having Power
ful Minority.

Atlanta, Ca, Jan. 16.-President-
elect William II. Taft, after being in
the cordial and hospitable embrace OF
Georgia all day yesterday and recog-
nizing the climax of the varied and
continuous demonstrations in the
brilliant and imposing scene presented
at the banquet at night, exclaimed
with evidences of great feeling:
Il had not hoped to win the south,
but the south has won me-"
The banquet was the most am
bilious event of it's kind the city has
ever undertaken. Participated in by
more than 500 Of the city's represen-
tative men, it was gloried in by the
entire population. 1t, and the preced-
ing eloquence of welcome extended to
Mr.. Taft in his reception at the capitol
and at the Piedmont hotel, where he
was sought by thousands, constitute
a brilliant chapter in his record of
achievements south of Mason's and
Dixon's line.
Talking Through Georgia"
Talking through Georgia" is
literal description of his trip from
Augusta to Atlanta. And wherever
the special train which Atlanta pro-
vided came to halt there were cheer
ing crowds evidencing their cordially
by floral tributes, by cheers, bands
and speeches in which the president
elect was told that he was respected,
admired, loved.
A little bunch of violets plucked
from the grave of Alexander Stephens
and presented by a grandniece of the
distinguished Georgian touched ten
der chord and brought forth warm
tribute to the memory of Stephens at
Charlottesville.
The young men of Emory college
were cheered on their way to Coving-
ton and the girl students of Agnes
Scott institute at Decatur were adj
dressed as my girl friends" and
talked to pleasantly.
Atanta's Warm Welcome.
Atlanta's welcome began in the rail
road yards where all locomotives tied
open their whistles and ceased only
when he had retired for the night
Thousands were at the station, thou
sands followed him through the
streets as he was drawn by four
horses to the capitol
Gov Smith and a committee of 20
gave him a formal reception, after
which the governor presented him to
the crowd. He was escorted by a
squad of mounted police to the Pied
mont hotel where he was rendered a
reception by the chamber of com
merce, the Ohio society and Yale
alumni.
Mr.. Taft spoke to the negroes here
this morning, then went to Athens to
make an address at the State univer
sity and return for the reception of
the Capital City club tonight
His Speech at the Banquet.
Judge Taft had given care to the
preparation of his banquet speech and
he followed his manuscript closely.
He said he was proud to have been
the first Republican candidate for the
presidency who had carried his can
vass south of Mason's and Dixon's
line.
In the presence of Democrats and
Republicans here at a non-partisan
banquet expressing the welcome of
the whole community, it would neither
be courteous nor appropriate for me
to go into partisan discussion" Mr..
Taft continued. Il can only refer
to the fact with qualification and con
graduation that to-day the expression
of any political view in the south is
possible without involving social os-
tracism or any of the penalties with
which it might have been visited in
earlier times. Ten years have made
great difference in the attitude
which the controlling people of the
south occupy towards the north and
the government.
Benefit of Strong Opposition.
Il am Republican but / concede
fully the great advantage to the coun-
try of having a Democratic party suffi-
ciently powerful at times to win the
presidential elections and always to
put the Republican party. when in con-
toll. in fear of possible or probable
defeat. And so in the south no one
can deny the advantage that will arise
in local and state governments when
there is a substantial and intelligent
minority which may become a success
full majority in punishment of the
abuses that are likely to grow out of
the long continued and undisputed con-
troll of one party. Added to that, the
uncertainty which may attend the re-
suit of national elections in state
is certain TO give it additional i'm
portance in the councils of the ma
ton"
Woman Dies of Ptomaine POISONING.
Washington, Jan. 16.-Miss Lucy
Jones, a wellknown young woman,