The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-05-22
TAFT LAUDS
BLUE and CRAY
Praises Soldiers Of North and
South at Monument Unwilling.
ON VIRGINli BATTlEFIEIDS

a Notable Gathering Attends the Un.
yelling Of a Shaft to Governor tiar
tranft and Pennsylvania Dead al
Petersburg.
Petersburg. Va. May 2o.-Drivlng
over historic roads and battleaelds
through clouds Of choking white dust
President Taft attended the unwilling
81 a shaft OF granite and a heroic fig
ure in bronze placed on the bloody bat
uegrOund of Fort Malone. to com.
memorste the valor and heroism OF
General John F. Hartranft and the
Pennsylvania soldiers Of the Third
division of the Ninth corps of the
Union army. He addressed there a
notable gathering OF weather beaten
and time grizEled old veterans IN the
blue Of the north and the gray OF the
south
Later he was the honor guest at
an al frescO luncheon served on the
magnificent oak-shaded lawns OF one
OF the most beautiful old homes IN
the south. and finally. standing on a
knoll OF the Center Hiu mansion. fac
ing 4 multitude he made an earnest
plea In the twilight for self-sacrihcing
and non-partisan support for the re-
united and common country.
1T has been a great day he de
elared. not alone for Petersburg. for
Pennsylvania or Virginia. but In the
history OF the whole country: a day
which will conduce to q greater union
"A day 70 make stronger our common
love for our common country. which
all OF US when necessary are ready TO
die"
Tribute 20 North and South.
The presidents speech at the Penn
sylvania memorial. at the base Of
which were gathered many OF the
veterans OF the Keystone state and Of
Virginia. who fought the battles that
made the enduring shaft significant.
was a studied tribute to the north and
10 the south. Mr.. Taft was unstinted
In his recognition OF the heroic deeds
OF both sides The common heritage
OF heroism" was his theme. Enduring
good. he believed. had come from the
strife which had been Inevitable. In
his later speech. however. when he
sylyania and had been taken IN charge
by the people Of the Virginia common
wealth, Independently ADDRESSING
a vast and enthusiastic throng. Mr
Taft. beginning in a humorous vein
by twitting the governor of Virginia
Mr.. Swanson. on the rare gift OF be
ing able to make four speeches in one
day. suddenly became serious. and for
fifteen minutes held his audience In
silent attention as he outlined in a
general way his Ideas OF citizenship
which In the north and south alike
should carry the country forward e
permanence OF prosperity and ever
glorious future
In addition to the president many
other distinguished visitors PARTED.
pated in the days events. Governor
Stuart. OF Pennsylvania: Governor
Swanson. OF Virginia: members OF the
battlehelds commission Of Pennsylva.
MIA large delegations from the Grand
Army posts and a host OF Confederate
veterans gathered. while at the lunch.
con the speakers included. in addition
to the president and the two COVER.
nors. NJ. Jusserand. the French am.
bassador; Rear Admiral Sigsbee. u.
s. n. retired: President f. A. Alder.
man. OF the University OF Virginia:
former Governors William f. Cameron
and Andrew Jackson Montague. OF Vir.
ginia; Mayor Jones and ". B. Nell.
waine. OF Petersburg.