The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-13
BANQUET
 RENDERED TO TAF I
(CoNTIN JED FROM PAGE ID


 '---- -~-.----~7-- - devotion to his country is not restricted to state lines nor restricted by sectional basis, but who loves his fellow citizens, whether they come from the castor west north or south. who will be President of the whole nation, who will administer the affairs of his country with even handed and impartial justice.
 When your honored guest was in Geor- gia, a few weeks ago, he won the hearts of the people there, and he informed them that he hoped that they would give him their affections for 364 days in the year. and they could vote for whom they pleased on the 365th day.
 Judging from the enthusiasm of the people of the Crescent City l believe they will bestow their affections on the Pres ident-elect for 364 days, and on the re- maining day they would give him their suffrage, and in so doing they might travel father and fare worse.
 Nearly 30 years ago, on arriving at Queenstown from New York, I saw that the people of Great Britain and Ireland were in a high state of enthusiasm over the election to parliament of MT Glad stone,-who once more became prime min ister of England. The people greeted him everywhere with the affectionate title of Our William
 And I am sure that the gentlemen as- sembed here tonight, and the men and women of New Orleans, and the citizens at large throughout the United States will take equal pride in calling our honored guest by the familiar, but endearing name of Our William "
 The invocation follows:
 We pray thee of God of might, wis dom and justice, through whom author ity Is rightly administered. laws are en- acted and judgment decreed, assist with h1lnr ,,4,rfH NF ,,,I 1a the President-elect of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness and be eminently useful to Thy people over whom he presides by an encouraging due respect for virtue and religion, by a faithful execution of the laws in Justice and mercy and in restrain ing vice and immortality.
 "Vouchsafe, o Lord, to bless us and these Thy gifts which we are to receive from Thy bountiful hand, Christ our Lord. Amen"
 Werlein's Address.
 It was very late when the oratory of the evening began with an introductory ad- dress by Chairman Werlein of the Pro- gressive union, who told of the manner in which every resident of the city had taken part. He enumerated the distin- guished guests of many neighboring states, the consuls of foreign countries,
  the city as the winter capital" of the nation.
 The Lincoln anniversary was referred to and received with great enthusiasm.
 Samuel l.. Gilmore, congressman-elect from the second district, followed with eulogy of Lincoln, and assured MT. Taft he was looked to with good will by the south.
 The desired development of the Missis- sippi river was made apparent to MT. Taft by Mayor Behrman in a short ad- dress.
 Governor Sanders Speaks.
 Governor J. Y. Sanders, responding 10 the toast, Louisiana" after extending a hearty welcome to MT. Taft, spoke in favor of the federal government assum- ing the maintenance of the levee system of the Mississippi river and some of it's tributaries. In this connection Governor Sanders said
 "The thought has occurred to us that, if it be right and just, and believe that 1t Is, to use the revenues of the nation to put water on the arid lands of the west why should not the same government use its revenues to keep the waters of con tnent off of our already fertile and in habited land?"
 Governor Sanders took up the possi- bility of inimical legislation to the rice and sugar interests of the south, making this appeala
 we expect that, when the time comes under your administration, as come 1t will, when words are said and deeds are done which, if permitted to be enacted into law, would ruin and impove<fsh splendid farming section of our state, that thought be given to us, the Americans who are engaged in this farming industry and that the eyes of those who sit in the seats of the mighty rest upon us for a " nd n those who toll beyond the seas"
 Taft's Address.
 It was after midnight when MT Taft was introduced to speak "as one we ex- pect more of than any President ever given to this country"
 It was with considerable hesitation, he said, that he arose because there have been so many things fired at me-"
 Don't promise too much'' he said had been the advice given him tonight.
 Much merriment was caused in the man. ner in which MT. Taft took jolt" as he said out of the solid democratic poli- tics of the state.
 With earnestness. however, he said his course as President should be for the best interests of the states south of the Mason and Dixon line, well as for the other sections.
 It had moved his heart to hear the tribute which had been paid to Abraham Lincoln.
 As to the waterway, MT. Taft said he had been asked if congress would con- slider the $500 900 bond issue at the ex- tra session.
 "I have to say" he remarked with de- liberation. that Congress will consider at its extra session what Congress chooses to consider He made it clear, however, that he was earnestly interest ed in river improvement and incidentally gave his interest in the Ohio river plans. He gave his express approval of the bond issue plan, but indicated that it could hardly be looked for without strong and earnest public sentiment. to impress the plan on Congress.
 "So far as my information will go 1t prises."
 Panama Canal Matter.
 MT. Taft repeated his words of the day before regarding the Panama canal.
 The Hay-Herron treaty, MT. Taft re- marked, gives the United States the right to exercise all of the functions of sov- right and it's vigorous exercise, MT Taft said, our progress on the work would be years behind what it now is. The en- thusiastic report of the board of engineers as to the present plan he referred to with qualification
 Since Congress decided four years ago to build the present type of canal, he de- clared, nothing had occurred to change that type of canal. He regretted what he termed as unfounded criticism.
 There was, he said, nothing so discour- aging as a fire in the rear, and this was particularly bad to those isolated on the