Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-11-09
The Presidents
Visit to Georgia

This beautiful Indian summer weather
cave President Taft fine opportunity 10
see old Georgia dressed up in her new
autumnaI garb. November behaved
beautifully considering what November
can do when she is crOss-grained and IN
an ill humor. so Macon had a gala urne'
with the state fair and the president TO
draw the crowds.
Everybody and his neighbor could make
a short trip to look at a president, and
from all accounts Macon had the time OF
her life on yesterday. Mr.. Taft would be
hard to please II he had not been gratified
at the reception he received in Georgia's
Central City.
I very much doubt il the president wit
messed any scene more pleasing in HIS
three weeks itinerary. He saw newer
countries IN the far west. maybe greater
display In some things. but he found In
old Georgia more Of the genuine flavor
OF the best old-time hospitality than
might be found anywhere or at any time
east Of the Rockies.
he had a good breakfast. too. at Con-
gresham Charley Bartlett's. I'll wager,
and II was a compliment TO the presi-
dent that he and his good wife should
entertain him at the early morning meal.
because a daylight meal has to depend
upon the exquisite daintiness OF all its
appointments without the fascinating
glamour that goes with the sparkle OF
cut glass and the blaze Of brilliant cleo
trfc lights at an evening collation.
In the brief account Of the breakfast.
which read In last nights paper, It was
noted that President Taft did not ven
ture with mint Julep," and one paper
said II was the only incident which
"maTTed the occasion"
The president Is a wise politician He
tzkes no chances. and he understood that
he would be criticised II he grew hilarious
after drinking even a mint julep. Savan-
nah's famous artillery punch" has work
ed some surprising things with Geor-
gas famous banqueters In times past
and gone Perhaps the presidents face
WIN fash when he tmbfbes.
I know . person who would show q
pieded red face after drinking a table
spoonful Of old port wine Ny friend
couldn't drink mint Julep and not show
II urpleAszntly. Immediately afterwards
Suppose Mr.. T2ft's big fat face had been
covered with smiles and also with red
spots7 What q catastrophe
wouldn't the story of his face have
Bpread abroad7
Mr Tan was wise-he took no chances
as before said-and then he could easily
please an the Temperance people by sim
ply admiring the color Of the Julep. and
fnhzhng thu fragrance OF the mint and
net drinking a drop
Don't you sect
A few little words, namely, Rum
Ronanizm and Rebellion" spoken In New
York city at q banquet, cost Hon James
O. Blaine the presidency.
The Hqunr people and the Catholics did
not wait 4 minute 10 give him the cold
shoulder On the day OF election In New
York cry.
Hon Charles Fairbanks was tabooed
BIZ the temperance folks and lost his grip
on his Methodist brethren because he
took = little something" when the
critics were on the lockout to catch him
mapping The Methodist conference re-
fused 10 have him as a delegate.
/ really expect the president felt i'm
pressed that Georgia was a prohibition
state with touch not, taste not. handle
not" written on the door post. along
with wisdom. justice and moderation"
He h too good a politician TO drink
mint julepS." or artillery punches
while he fingers on Georgia borders
don't blame him: he is shaping up
for a reelection. and Il needs but precious
little 10 sometimes turn the scale in a
popular election A mint julep might do
It Who knows7
he didn't mean to hurt anybody's feel
ings or mar the occasion" He sim
ply couldn't risk a mint julep in a pro-
nomced prohibition state and he was
wise
II Is up to Congressman Bartlett now 70
say II was nothing but apoIlinaris water
sharpened by a sprig Of mint, and hint
20 the wise viii be sufficient, or some
body viii be asking where the julep
came from. even II the mint grew in his
garden