New-York tribune., 1909-03-20
THE PRESIDENT HEARS
0LDELI CHEERS AGAIN
FIFTEEN HUNDRED GRAD
YATES At DINNER.
Mr. Taft Sees Reproduced in the
WaIdorf the Famous Old Brick
RO1C and the old Fence.

=, the old brick row" and behind the old
fence ''BilT' Taft. IS was Iionized by I.530
yale graduates AT the Waldorf last night. True
y mas President Taft. Chief MAGISTRATE of the
Tinted states and the annual dinner Of the
Vale graduates had been turned into a celebra-
ton Of the honor conferred on a Yale man and
NJ the honor brought by him 10 that university
In being its first 10 occupy the Pre- Sidentia chair
But for the night the President had thrown
n4 al his cares and once again came under the
sne1 of the old campus. a famous part Of which
rad heen reproduced under the management OF
milan W Curtiss Of the dinner committee.
T vas an inspiring sight when that gathering
~ men, breaking all records for dinners held in
anz hotel in the world arose to greet with a
mighty Yale cheer their fellow alumnus, who
had been true 10 the best traditions OF the uni
,e-sitv and had reached the most exalted place
IN the land. Men prominent in all walks Of life.
many Of whom had come part way across the
continent. were there to add their homage TO
Taft. '7S.
The President. beaning with the smile that
rss become famous "swapped" stories with the
~hovs" Ioined in singing the rolliczing songs
Of davs gone by. and greeted many man whom
he had not seen since his college days. None
of the boys of recent years were younger in
spi-it than the President. But when he started
70 speak after wildly enthusiastic greeting
appreciation Of the tribute. When he spoke Of
.he four years before him the Yale men began
n chant: Eight eight, eight years"
This is the chance for which we have waited
for eos years said James R Sheffield. the
toastmaster. in announcing the President God
had 10 make him big to contain the love that we
bear him. Gentlemen OF Yale homage TO the
chief figure Of the world. Taft, IS President of
the United States"
Every diner was on his feet in an instant
cheering in way that Yale men have. Napkins
were thrown down from the galleries, making
white shower Napkins were thrown UP in
the air Men climbed on TO chairs The biggest
cheer ever given" was called for, and the walls
~ the room trembled with the noise. The dem
onstration lasted for two and a half minutes.
PRESIDENT TAFT'S SPEECH.
Then President Taft said:
Men Of Yale: In the last six months have
made four hundred speeches. but have not
made one that is as hard for me as this one Is
Il Is easy enough TO talk to your fellow coun-
t-vuen when you are trying to convince them
Of something but II is hard tc talk TO men that
YOU love and tell them how and why you love
them. That is my present situation, for l have
affection for every Yale man within the sound
OF my voice.
- an very grateful for this occasion Of con-
graduation and the expressions that are akin TO
Yale man since the time had consciousness
for the Yale spirit and the ideas were instilled
in me from my youth"
President Taft then told Or his fathers early
struggles when attending Yale and Of the great
interest his father had in Yale and everything
pertaining to it He said that his father and
mother met through Yale influences and ne read
2 letter signed by ex-President Day Of Yale and
g number Of the professors recommending his
sim JYe
he said. he attributed to the Yale spirit
"T srnreciate what a great honor Il is" he
sdded from the president of Yale and the
alumni 70 be able TO stand in front Of the fence
or back, rather and in front Of the old brick
row"
He went on TO tell what god effects the col
lege spirit had politics. In the last admin
istration. he said there was high moral spirit
to do things Clifford Pinchot" he added re
marked that Roosevelt, although subjected to
four years Of the influences at Harvard, still
remained Yale man.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICE.
Z an now facing the greatest responsibilities
Mr.. Taft said. that come to any American cit
izen and II is better to leave office with the
plaudits OF your countryrnen than TO enter II
with them alone.
The opportunities for mistakes, failure or the
dead level Of doing nothing many look
forward with hesitation to the next four years.
Al this point the diners rose in a body and
yelled Eight years" After several minutes
President Taft was able TO continue and he
went OF:
IF attend 70 the next four years will be
doing all that is in the contract. and viii let
the following four take care Of themselves"
-rben the diners chanted Eight years" for
several moments while President Taft smiled
.There are many problems TO solve" he con-
tirue5 and l think that know what the
people demand. but whether We can meet the
problems by proper legislation time alone will
tell There is one thing that gives me conf
dence for the future. and that is that IN the
past much OF public problems have been
generally solved by an application Of honesty
OF purpose. OF industry and Of common sense
President Taft closed by saying he hoped
that a. the end Of four years he could again
meet the members Of his alma mater with the
same spirit Of affection.
Ar Curtiss led 4 long Yale cheer and Presi-
dent Taft left the room while the diners were
singing Bright College Years"
DECREE FOR PRESIDENT HADLEY.
There were only two speakers and President
Hadley of the university was the other In his
opening remarks the toastmaster had said
Sitting sandwiched between these two great
presidents. I want It distinctly understood in
the case Of this sandwich that the meat is not
on the inside Every Of you in this family
dinner party is both host and guest. with the
exception Of these two" In introducing Presi-
dent Hadiey Mr.. Sheffield. said that. although
ne CID not have cap and gown. he was about
to bestow g degree on the president Of Yale
70 he Ia4sa oFso