Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-05-21

floats representing weeks OF laoor
were transformed in a minute to fad
ed, bedraggled masses. On many "a
the floats rode women and little chill
dren in filmy summer frocks. They
were drenched before they could flee
to shelter.
Storm interfered With Program.
President Taft spoke twice during
the day. It had been intended that
he should address the public from the
reviewing stand but the storm caused
a change Of program and the Presi-
dent spoke first In the Charlotte au-
di,orium at 4;30 p. m, and then was
denying two miles from the city and
spoke to the colored students Of Bid
die University.
Mr.. Taft declared that he would
not count visit 10 the South COM
plete without an opportunity TO ex-
press to the cclored people his in
terest in them and his sympathy for
them in their problems.
Public Reception at Night.
There was a public reception to the
President tonight and he left on a
late train for Washington where he
is due to arrive shortly before noon
tomorrow. The -wo days of constant
going in the heat and dusr of the Pet
ersburg battlefields. on yesterday and
In the d enching downpour of Char
lotte today were quite trying u2on
the President. He was preceptibly
hoarse today and when he was speak
ing most earnestly OF his position tc-
ward the South, paused fer a momenr
ard exclaimed amid laughter: ''Oh.
wish hadn't left my voice in Peters
burg"
Among the guests on the plai form
at the auditorium when the President
was sreaking of his belief in ulc
Mecklenbure Declaration regardless of
the exact language In which the res
olutions we're acceped. were Mayer
J. c. Hemphill. the distinguished edi-
tor of Charleston, s. c.. who recently
in paying his compliments to Speaker
Cannon declared: "He was born in
North Carolina, the home of the
Mecklenburg myth, which President
Taft is 10 celebrate. | am sorry 20
say" g
A Hsrpeon b Hem-hiII.
With twinkle 1Bsis eye after be-
Ing Introduced by Governor Kitchin
the President told a story at the ex-
pense of Mayor Hemphill which
brought a shout of laughter from the
audience and was enjoyed by none
more than the editor himself.
I'VE are here" said the President,
Ito celebrate a declaration CT inde-
pendence regardless of the fact that
there are some unregenerate persons
in South Carolina and elsewhere mat
for various motives have cast doubt
upon the claim
The Presiaen. declared that the
man who came to Charlotte and was
no. willing TO accept the Mecklenburg
declaration in full reminded him Of
the Tipperary lrishman who was tired
for murder after he mad hit his op-
ponsnt a fatal blow with blackthOrn
1t developed at the trial that the vic
tim had a paper or very thin skull.
Consequently the defendant was con-
victed only CT manslaughter. When
sentence came to be pronounced The
convicted man was asked IL he had
anything to say.
Only One oucsticae
NC. your homer" he replied. &C
cording TO Mr. Taft, but your honor
| would like to ask wan quistin: What
the diyil was man with head ike
that doing in Tipperary?"
President Taft declared that the
important part of the Mecklenburg
Declaration as viewed from the stano-
point CT patriotism and statemansap
was not the general declaration as Us
the rights of man. ut the political
provision for a government which was
TO succeed that OF Great Britain.
The declaration. the President said.
showed wisdom. sels-reliance and a
willingness to accept the responsibility
e maintaining a government OF Jaw
and order.
The War Between the States.
Mr. Taft turned from a discussion o.
revolutionary days to more modern
times. You in the southland had
the troubles. tho suffering. the sad
losses burned inic your hearts with
mach more emphasis than We in the
<o~fhfar.f h~r-aure hfro was the zen
ter Il 7hc war and IL g. entirely mar
ursi tina; in the forty years which
have srccccded the war there should
continue q bittcrn ~ of feeling that
time and long time could oEiy crass.
bur when We lock hack I think ~
must congratulate ourselves that go
feeling has 20 largely disappear a.