The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-04-28

the day that they shook hands and
signed the terms of surrender.
1T is matter that 1 have very
much at heart. L believe it is possible
to make the two sections even closer
together. The south is more
homogeneous people than we.
Emigration into this country spread
over the north and west, not into the
south, and the south preserved its
traditions longer than did we in the
north. Added to that trait and
quality of theirs was the fact that for
long time the traces of war and the
sufferings from war were present to
them and always they have present
recollections of the strife. Some
changes, 1 fear, are necessary in fixed
economic principles to promote the
business of the south. We are in
the same boat in more emphatic
sense than we ever were before in the
| in business. And they of the south
and especially their business men,
are. trembling in the balance of
doubt as to just where they are
politically.
Looks for a Change.
Elm that condition 1 feel certain the
next decade or two will bring about a
change in their political views, not
necessarily to qualify them for mem
bership in the Union League club
Caughter) but such as to fit them
for independent action and at times
be willing when opportunity offers to
vote for a different candidate from
him who is supported by the solid
south.
~ am not making a Republican
speech and 1 am not speaking from
a Republican standpoint. What 1 am
looking forward to is a division in
the parties in the south so that there
shall be tolerance of political opinion
there so that in their state govern
ment and in their national affairs,
there shall be more than one political
creed to be subscribed to and sup
ported.
"I believe that generally through
the south the men who are not active
ly engaged in politics would recog-
nize that end as one devoutly to be
| wished. Expressing these desires. I am
quite conscious that my motives are
| likely to be misconstrued, or at least
| that 1 shall have attributed to me
rather more political policy than
| patriotic desire, but nevertheless
persist in expressing it. and while
some of my friends from the south
who represent that section IN con-
gress in the senate are constantly
| throwing cold water on my attempts
| to encourage a little independence of
| political thinking in the south and
| saying that it is hopeless for me to
| attempt to bring about a change in
| that regard they will excuse me If
attribute to them a little of that
political prejudice that they think
| is actuating me and 1t is poss1bl
| they would not welcome that division
| of political opinion in the south with
all the fervor of some other patriots
/ in that section who do not hold now
| the position of representative and
| senator in Washington. But however
it is I feel certain that the real spirit
of Appomattox is marching on ano
| that it is infusing itself in the people
| of the south as it was long ago in
fused in the people of the north ano
that we are growing closer and closer
! together. and that it will manifes
itself in political independence the
country over, so that we shall no.
know each other by sections II
political matters but by difference
only in principles"
President Taft left for washington
over the Pennsylvania at 12:l'
o'clock