The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1909-10-16
TAFT WITNESSES
INDIAN DANCE
The President Is In New
Mexico.
MAKE SPEECH TO RED MEN
VIII Greet Diaz on the Mexican
Border Today.
Statehood Il Promised to Territories Of
Southwest and People are Hap
py-Picturcsque Scenes
are Presented.

Albuquerque. N. NJ, Oct. l6.--Presi.
dent Taft had another day Of travel
through the far Southwest today and
on the long reaches of territory Of New
Mexico had q glimpse OF some Of the
most ancient adobes in America, leav-
Ing the train at one time to 20 into
the plaza of a pueblo to witness an
Indian dance. especially arranged.
The color Of the Southwest tinted
his reception at his stops. Arriving
here at o'clock the President aroused
Intense enthusiasm by repetition of
the declarations he made in Arizona.
that he favored Statehood for the two
adjoining territories of the United
States and would do all in his power
to see that the long deferred hopes Of
the people of Arizona and New Mexico
are gratified
The President spoke from a platform
near the railroad station and was later
entertained at a banquet at Alvaredo
Hotel by the commercial club.
1t was at Laguna. a township made
up entirely OF Indians, that the Presi-
dent had one of the most unique en-
tertainments OF his trip. As he sat IN
little canopied stand in the plaza en-
closed with adobe huts and walls, the
President was showered with presents
There We're blankets of gaudy colors,
Indian beads and other offerings whicn
the red men had fashioned In his
honor. The plaza itself. the walls and
the terraced roofs of the adobe houses
were lined with Indians, the suuaws
being attired In fantastic costumes
which were bright in the uncloudcd
sun.
Indians Bear Flags.
There was hardly a squaw in the
pueblo that did not have a bright-eyed
chubby-faced little papoose either in
her arms or swung onto her bac's More
little Indian boys and girls were ar
President and each carried an Ameri-
can flag.
AS the President wa, leaving the
plaza after the weird A.usic of the
tomtoms had died away and the last
steps OF the Comanche had been taken
by the gaudiiy bonneted braves the
little children sang a song OF New
minutes to listen. The tune was that
OF Maryland. My Maryland.
From the plaza crowded by curious
throng OF Indians, the President went
to the church, an adobe building. In
q little speech made slowly and with
emphasis on each syllable In order that
all who spoke English at all might
understand, the President assured the
Indians OF the good will of the Gov
farmers and good artisans. He was
warmly applauded and every Indian
wanted to shake his hand. These EVIL
dences Of interest, and It might be said
enthusiasm. were unique, coming from
such a stolid race.
In his address TO the Indians, Mr..
Taft said:
81 want to convey to the Laguna
and Acoma Indians. who 7 understand
constitute those present. the good viii
of the Government of the United Sta ties.
I hope that the Indians who / am adj
dressing are working industriously In
the vocation which they know. agr-
culture, and in other branches OF In.
dustry. ! hope that their docks. tnrir
herds and all the products Of the soil
may be proAtable TO them and that they
may continue to live in COMFORT under
the auspices OF the Government that
is pledged to look after their welfa e.
I hope the children are being educared
30 they may grow up to be good men
and good women"
The President was met this morning
at Gallup by Governor Curry of New
Mexico and COMMITTEES OF citizens
made up largely of a delegation from
the Albuquerque Chamber Of Com
merce.
Blanket for Mrs. Taft.
He was presented with an especially
attractive Navajo blanket for Mrs
Taft. It was woven by the same In
dian squaw. Ellie OF Genado. who made
the blanket which was presented to
Mrs. Roosevelt at the time of the
former Presidents visit to this city.
In all his speeches today. the Presi-
dent again urged the people Of Arizona
and New Mexico to take time and to
deliberate in the formation of their
State constitution. once they nave been
admitted to the Uniin. The President
seems to take 1t for granted that
Statehood is soon to core to the ter
ritorieS, although he is careful to say
that his auth ority is on'y of the execu-
tive. and that the first action must
come from the legislative branch OF
the Government. g.