New-York tribune., 1909-05-21
POLICY OF NON-P4RTTSAN
APPOINTMENTS.
Pleas for Tolerance and an InteH-
gent Opposition Party 4rouse
Great Enthusiasm.


one Of the first significant steps toward Ameri-
can Independence
In his address to the people Of North Caro-
lima late in the day the President clearly ex-
plained his policy toward the South HIS own
recent appointment Of Democrat to the fed
eral bench in this state gave him an opportunity
10 expand upon his previously expressed views
Mr. Taft urged again the advisabi bility Of an in
telligent. logical opposition party
Il do not believe that we are on the point ot
a political revolution in the South said the
President; L never have had such a dream
What do desire. and believe We the
eve OF. is complete tolerance Of opinion and
that there shall grow into respect and power an
intelligent fighting opposition party in every
state Of the Union"
The Presidents political utterances were re-
ceived with the same fervor Of enthusiasm as
his tribute to the signers OF the MeckIen5rry
declaration. He was constantly interrupted BY
the cheers AS TO his appointment of Demo
crat TO the bench. the President declared that
throughout the South he intended TO pursue tho
policy he already had indicated of appointing 10
office only that man who. Republican or Demo
crat can command the highest confidence and
commend himself to the community in which
he lives
Mr.. Tafts plea for political tolerance IN the
South and his statement that he wanted the
people OF the South 10 know that the wash
inston government vas not government alien
to them, had all the effect OF extemporaneous Ut
terances for the President spoke without notes
once he had drifted into politics
CLOUDBURsT DRENCHEs MIR TAFT
A cloudburst breaking over the city during
the afternoon lust as the splendid military.
floral and civic parade was passing in review
before the President, promised serious conse-
ouences for a time. 1t set the densely packed
thronR in front Of the reviewing stand into a
panic. and there was wild rush for shelter
While the confusion was at its height. and 20
add TO the tense situation there was binding
fash Of fame and a loud report not fifty YARDS
from where the President stood 1t developed
later that a quantity Of black powder which vas
10 have been used for saIuting purposes had
been prematurely ignited. No one was injured
either in the explosion IN the crush about the
revis wing stand.
The President received drenching, and for
time IL seemed that the frail canvas covering
the reviewing stand would tumble about the
reads a. those beneath Among these was Mrs
..stonewalT' Jackson When she had met MI
Taft earlier in the day she had earnestly e1-
claimed:
II am indeed delighted TO know the harmon
izer Of all our hearts.
President Taft spoke twice during the day.
The storm interfered with the programme for
his addressing the public from the reviewing
stand and he spoke first in the Charlotte Audi
torium at $50 p. m. He was then driven TWO
miles out OF the city. and spoke to the negro
students Of Biddle University NJ Taft de-
cIared that he would not count visit to the
south complete without opportunity TO ex-
nress 10 the negro people lis interest IN them
and his sympathy for them in their problems
There was a public reception 20 the President
tonight. and he left Charlotte on late train
for Washington. where he is due 70 arrive snort
I,,- before noon tomorrow The two strenuous
davs in the heat and dust Of the Petersburg
battIefeIds Yesterday and in the drenchins
do,,-nDo,1r Of Charlotte to-day were trying upon
the president He was perceptibly hoarse to-
day
4 FLING AT MAJOR HEMPHILL
Among the guests on the platform at the
Auditorium, when the President was speasins
-, his belief in the MeckIenburg declaration re-
,ardIass of the exact language in which the
rasolutious we're accepted was Major J. 9
tIan,Dbiu the editor of Charleston. : C. who
rscAntIv. in paying his compliments 70 speaker
Cannon. declared
..t1s u,as horn in North Carolina the home OF
the MeckIenburs myth, which President Ialt Is
10 celebrate. 1 am sorryNto say
AftAr being introduced by Governor hltcnln
the president told an amusing story at the ex-
n.,sa of Major HemPhin which was greeted
ni,h shouts of laughter and vas enjoyed oy
no,e more than the editor himself
..yy.- are here said the President, to cele-
...,. q declaration Of independence regardless
~ the fact that there are some unresenerate
nsr.ons in South Carolina and elsewhere that
Co. various motives have cast doubt upon the
claim"
The President declared that the man who
.a-,s 70 Charlotte and vas not willing 20
cont the Mecklenburg declaration in full re-
minded him Of the Tipperary Irishman who was
tried for murder after he had hit his opponent a
fatal blow with blackthorn II developed az
the trial that the victim had paper" or very
thin. skull Consequently. the defendant was
convicted only OF mansIsughter- When sen
tence came TO be passed the convicted man was
asked IL he had anything TO
NO your honor he replied. according TO Mr.
TAFT but your honor. I would like to ask wan
ouistion: What the divil man with
head ike that doing in Tipperary2'
President Taft declared that the important
part Of the Mecklenburg declaration, as viewed
frorn the ,point OF, practical patriotism and
craftsmanship was not the general declarations
as to the rights Of man. but the practical pro-
vision for a government which was 70 succeed
that Of Great Britain
The declaration. the President said. showed
wisdom. seIf-relance and willingness to accept
the responsibility Of maintaining governments
OF law and order
Mr. Taft spoke OF the war between the states
and said:
You IN the Southland had the troubles. the
suffering the sad losses burned into your hearts
with much more emphasis than in the North
"a nd because here was the centre OF the var.
and il is entirely natural that in that forty
years which have succeeded the war there
fnuA a bitterness rAefiTE