The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-07
No Elaborate Reception Is Given
By the People
STATES EDITORIAL VIEWS
Opinion Is Expressed That Taft's Wis
it's to the South Have Not Changed
Any Votes Over to the Re-
publican Side.
BY WILLIAM HOSTER.

BY WILLIAM f1OS En-.
Augusta, November e.-(Speciel Pres
ident w. H. Taft arrived here at $3.50 this
evening. He will remain here until noon
Monday as the guest of Maj. Joseph Il.
Cummings. On his arrival here he was
welcomed by big crowd and cheered re-
peatedly.l There was no programme for
his entertainment lie was driven immed-
lately to the home of Major Cummings,
after which a brief informal reception
was held and he retired to his apartments
for the night. 1t was the first discordant
note of the southern trip. and while it
will probably have no effect upon the
Presidents course, it is reminder that
behind the cheers and enthusiasm with
which he is being received here there are
deeply rooted feelings that are not chang
ing under the Presidents southern policy.
The Columbia State, one of the infiu-
entail newspapers of the south of which
William Gonzales brother of the man
slain by Senator TlImans nephew, is the
editor, sounded one iarring note the sar-
casm of which was thinly disguised under
the hospitable welcome extended to the
distinguished visitor Senator Smith of
South Carolina, in an interview, touched
the other chord. Both expressions seemed
to illustrate the fact that the south is
conscientiously " democratic, and is not vet
prepared TO cast of her moorinss. Said
the Columbia State in its editorial well
come:
States Editorial.
Since the era of good feeling between
ha in ba
sixties had its beginning about a quarter
of century ago. it has been somewhat
a habit of public men who make visits to
the south to convey to the people the as
surance that the war is over. and once
in while some orator from Dixie Sc
cures a northern audience and plays upon
the same string. Sometimes President
of the United States comes this way. If
he is a republican, he is usually moved by
a spirit of fraternity to tell us of his be-
lief that we are actually citizens of the
United States and entitled to some consld-
Grafton even if we did not vote for him..
Continuing, the editorial recites how real
the war between the states was in the
neighborhood of Columbia, and of de-
vastation that was wrought in the city
''by the touch OF the invader, whose
strategy was destruction
Having in mind all that Mr.. Taft has
said about the reunion of the sections
and the obliteration of all sectional lines
with the assurance that the south is to be
treated by the present administration
with the same consideration as the other
section the editorial rather caustically OBJ
serves:
Not Living in Past.
But do not think, Mr. President, we are
living in the past or spend our time look
ing backward. We abide there just enough
to be true to ourselves. None knew bet
ter than we our responsibility, none real
ize so fully the burden that has been car
ried on the rocky climb and that is yet
upon us, and none are more determined to
go forward. We have the strength to ac-
complish any task 9nd we feel our
strength. With tremendous handicaps we
have won out from darkness and the way
looks clear ahead.
1.-The point the State wishes to make
this morning is that this people have a
higher opinion of their Americanism
Granting the general spols of Office to
successful parties, they do not believe
consistent adherents of a consistently I'M
successful party have one scintilla less
title to all else pertaining to government.
Government should be for the people, not
for parties"
The article closes with pointed re-
mark that the south demands as a right
that which the President constructively
is offering as favor 1t says:
Busy Doing Things.
Another point is that we are so busy
doing things and organizing to do things
that the memory of that one-time dis
union comes only when there Is some
pointed reminder, and that the fact that
President of the United States is
chosen without our assistance does not
make him less the President of this part
of the country, who, as a matter of right.
insist that he shall be as much the Prest
ident for South Carolina as he is thta
President for Pennsylvania
I'VE have no special favors or privi-
leges to ask and nothing TO give except
hearty cooperation In measures for good
government and a cordial welcome to the
President
Smiths Views.
Senator Smiths remarks are more DO
litical in their nature. He points out
that the reception that has been given
to the President is not to be misinter-
preted. Says he:
II want the people of South Carolina to
know that the action of the south in
according President Taft the receptions
that he has received must not be inter
preted as being loosening up of allie
glance to democracy, but is simply an
expression of southern courtesy to
stranger within our gates; and that
neither he nor the general public need
be deceived for the reason that the prob
lem with the south is not a question. fis-
cal or economic, but social. And we
cannot afford fellowship to any man. no
matter how high. no matter how splendid
his platform in other respects, who is
the head of party which for the lack
OF experience believes In granting the
negro an equal showing at the ballot