Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-16
support you in every measure which viii
lift our public standards.
Speech Carefully Prepared.

Speech Carefully Prepared.
aration Of his banquet speech, regarding
1t as his important utterance of the day,
and in its delivery he followed his manu-
script closely. He had come south for
rest to tired nerves after a strenuous po-
Htical campaign, he began, but when he
realized he had fallen into the hands of
strenuous Atlantans he began to realize
that his rest was to be seriously broken.
Mr.. Taft said with feeling that he was
proud to have been the first republican
candidate for the presidency who had
carried his canvass south of Mason and
Dlxon's line.
I'm the presence of democrats and re-
publicans here at a non-partisan banquet
expressing the welcome of the whole COM
munity, 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 congratulation that today the eX-
preston of any political view in the south
is possible without involving social ostra-
cism or any of the penalties with which il
might have been visited in earlier times.
Ten years have made a great difference
In the attitude which the controlling peo-
pie of the south occupy toward the north
and the government
Mr.. Taft then summarized the, causes
which had worked and were effecting this
change-the Spanish war; the attitude of
Mckinley. his lovable character and the
principles he stood for in his campaigns
the succession OF Roosevelt with his Geor-
gia mother. and, finally. the wonderful
business development of the south
L am a republican, but / concede fully
the great advantage to the country OF
having democratic party sufficiently
powerful at times to win the presidential
elections and always to put the republican
party when in control in fear of posi-
BILE or proba BILE defeat -xnd 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 successful
majority in punishment of the abuses that
are likely to grow out of the long contin-
ued and undisputed control of one party.
Added to that. the uncertainty which may
attend the result of national elections i'm a
state IS certain to give 1t additional I'M
porance in the councils of the nation.
South Is the Winner.
81 observe that among some prominent
members Of Congress there is a DISPOSE
ton to charge me with an attempt to win
the south over to republicanism and a
somewhat contemptuous expression of
opinion that this is utterly impossible To
them / would say that l am not hopeful
or winning the south over as they say.
but that the south has succeeded in win
ming me.
''If my coming had been partisan. no
such meeting this tonight would have
been possible. and so may say of all the
receptions and expressions of good will
and welcome that I have received from
point to point throughout this southern
country. The very success of my trip, the
very reason why it gives me so much sat
isfaction. is the pronounced non-partisan
character of the welcome which has been
so kindly extended to me.
Now. if this indirectly smakes. not for
partisan advantage, but for a contin-
uance of the movement in favor of indie
pendence of speech and action and po-
litical tolerance, its result is one that all
citizens of whatever political party must
rejoice to have brought about
1.-THE direct local effect of a national ad-
miniStration upon the south is chiefly
through it's local officials. appointed and
exercising their functions through the sec
ton. and therefore the expression of the
administration toward the southern peo-
pie takes its colors in the character of
those officials and therefore the admins
tration may be properly held accountable
and it's policies determined by the quail
fcations fitness and standing of the men
appointed to represent 1t in the districts
and states of the section. l realize there
fore that expressions of sympathy with
the south and an earnest desire to bring
it closer to the central government in
thought and action and feeling will have
comparatively little weight unless this eX-
preston is accomplished by such appoint
ments in the south as shall prove this
sympathy to be real and substantial
= Appointments to Prove Policy.
"All 1 can say with reference to the fu-
ture policy of the administration in the
south on this subject is that 1 expect to
spare no effort to find out the facts In
respect to the character of the proposed
appOinteeS and SO far as in me lies to Sc
lect those whose character and reputation
and standing in the community commend
them to their felow-citiZenS as persons
qualified and able to discharge their du-
ties well. and whose presence in impor-
tant positions will remove. if any such
thing exists, the sense of alienism in the
government which they represent
He said that the work of the next adj
ministration is to be a work of creation
and construction.
'Of course, the immediate great work
of the tariff he said. I'm that work the
south is quite as much Interested as the
north and would have an honest and
genuine revision, such as has been prom
Used by the party in power.
He gave assurance to the southern peo-
pie that mo interest of the SOUTH whether
it share that interest with the north or
whether it has a peculiar interest OF its
own, will be neglected in the conduct OF
the government in so far that conduct
shall be under the control of its chief
executive"
In concluding Mr.. Taft said:
Il beg those of my hearers who differ
with me politically not to suppose that
their cordially and courteous reception
are misunderstood by me. | know that
they spring from an earnest and patriotic
desire to pay proper respect to the great
office to which l have been elected, and
that they grow out of a sincere wish and
proper assumption. that having been elect
ed to the chief magistracy. | shall become
the President. not OF Il party, but of d
whole united people
PRIEST ATE 'POSSUM.
Got Special Dispensation to Join