Evening star., 1909-05-20
Cloudburst at Charlotte as He
Reviews Parade.
LAUDS SPIRIT OF LIBERTY
Ability to Govern Shown in Neck.
lenburg Declaration.
PROGRAM IS CARRIED THROUGH
Two Addresses by President During
Day-Returns to Washington
on Late Train.

CHARLOTTE. n. c., May Ca cloud
burst broke over the city this afternoon
and caused panic in the dense crowd
gathered in front of the stand from which
President Taft was reviewing the Meek
lenburg celebration parade No one was
seriously injured
In the midst OF the excitement and the
neeing throng one of the big industrial
floats became entangled with live cleo
trio light wire. The wire sagsed almost
to the heads OF the people beneath
To add to the turmoil and danger there
was loud report and a binding flash not
fifty yards from the reviewing stand. Just
what caused the explosion is not known.
The crowd scattered in all directions.
Men and women alike rushed for the
shelter of the Presidents stand The
President stepped to one side to give as
much room as possible.
A tremendous downpour was soon beat
Ing its way through the canvas roof of
the stand. Almost directly over the
Presidents head a great pool Of water
gathered, threatening TO break down the
covering.
President Gets Wet.
In the emergency some one brought
tall step ladder. man rushed up and
cutting hole in the canvas. let the
water down In perfect flood. This quick
action prevented any further trouble than
the partial drenching Of the President.
Umbrellas were offered In profusion.
hut ltsxi1
rent of rain. After the first mad rush
for cover the crowds were soon auieted.
The electric power was cut off and the
excitement was soon over.
When quiet had been restored the
President did not seem to mind the ex-
perience in the least. He stood smiling
while the rain poured down.
Thousands of men and women were
drenched to the skin. Many pretty cos
| tunes worn by those in the parade and
in the street were ruined utterly. The
parade was near its conclusion when the
cloudburst came.
The President remained until the last
bedraggled float went by and then. enter
ing his carriage. was driven back TO the
Selwyn Hotel for change Of clothes.
Throng Greets Mr.. Taft.
President Taft, arriving at 1915
am. from Petersburg, Va. was
greeted by an immense throng. which
had gathered at the Southern railway
station. A heavy rain fell during the
morning. but ceased just before Mr.. Taft
reached the city.
1t required the services OF several COM
panies Of militia to keep the cheering
crowds at the depot in check as the
President alighted and made his way to q
waiting carriage. Mr.. Taft, accompanied
by Capt. Archibald Butt. his military
aid. was met in North Carolina by a local
committee.
Interest in the Presidents visit to Char
lotte at this time centered in the attitude
he would take toward the Mecklenburg
declaration of independence. the anniver-
sary Of the signing Of which is celebrated
throughout the state of North Carolina
the Goth day of each May.
Taft Upholds Declaration.
Mr.. Taft takes the position that, regard
less Of the exact language of the declara-
tions made in May. 1875, full year before
the signing Of the Jefferson declaration at
Philadelphia July 4. 1776. the fact re-
mains that there was a declaration of in
dependence on the part of the citizens OF
North Carolina.
ut is not SO material as to the exact
language used" said the President today
1.-THE measure of a declaration for the
principles of civil liberty and self-govern-
ment is not so much the abuse or de-
nunciation Of the former controlling
power as the provisions made for the fu-
ture form OF government.
1.-THE impressive thing about the North
Carolinian proposition is the sensible way
the people Of the state, after deciding to
sever relations with Great Britain. went
about the matter Of setting up a govern
ment of their own. They appointed Sc
lectmen. provided for their military ofi-
GERS, their courts and forms Of legal pro-
cedure.
1T showed not alone a desire for liber-
ty. but the ability to govern and thor
ough knowledge of the subject"
Guns Salute Taft.
The President, who yesterday was the
guest OF Petersburg. Va, upon his ar
rival here shortly before IL o'clock. was
met at the railway station by an imposing
committee of citizens and escorted at
once to the Selwyn Hotel. AS the train
bearing the Presidents car crossed the
city limits q presidential salute OF twenty
one guns was fired by the Charlotte Artil-
lery.
Arriving at the hotel the President held
q reception for one hour. At noon. with
scores of Union and Confederate veter-
ans for his escort. accompanied by Mrs.
'Stonewall" Jackson, he proceeded to
reviewing stand from which he witnessed
the passing of probably the most notable
parade ever held In this city.
To act as military escort to the Presi-
dent during his stay In Charlotte, Troop
E, OF the 11th United States Cavalry.
battalion of the 18th United States In
fantry and the 18th Infantry Band ar
rived two days ago. Today this detach-
ment of regulars headed the military divi-
sion of the parade.
Altogether there were eight divisions
to the pageant as follows: Military in
dustrial, floral. colonial. equestrian. farm
ers, fraternal societies and secret orders,
automobiles and the fire department.
Large detachments OF the National Guard
of both North and South Carolina were
in the line.
The Industrial. colonial and floral di-
visions were made up of decorated floats.
~, For xx-or In, fna N