Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-05-16
AN ELABORATE PROGRAM
Meck|enburq Celebration This Year
10 be Greatest Ever.
PRESIDENT TAFT WILL ATTEND

iSvtVkHt NV Witt
Affair is CONNIE lucrative OF the Dec
Iaratlon of independence BY the
People of Meekienbure In May,
1775.
CHARLOTTE. N. C., May 15.-The
celebration this year commemorative
of the adoption OF declaration Of in
dependence by the people of Mecklen-
burg. North Carolina. as early as May
1775. promises to be one Of the lar
est and most successful ever held
here.
The, announcement that President
Taft would lend his presence and de-
liver the principal address. has in
tensified interest in the occasion, and
in consequence the city is rapidly
filling up with thousands Of visitors.
II has been the wish OF President
all iOf u iOilR W AhtDt oh1 ~
come better acquainted, with the peo-
pie OF the South and this occasion
will enable him to carry out that de-
sire.
The program provides for three
days of elaborate exercises, cOmmenc-
ing at noon May IS, and continuing
In rapid succession with interesting
events until the close on May 10.
feature of the program which will be
pleasing to enthusiastic basetal
fans" Ii that game OF this Iavorite
sport will be played. on each day
during the celebration. President
Taft himself is as enthusiastic as
schoolboy over this popular sport and
he probably will not miss the oppor-
tunity to attend at least one of the
games during his visit to the historic
CITY. A carnival Of fun will be offer
ed in numerous "sidesnows' which
will give continuous performances. A
series o. concerts will be given by
the United States RegImeniai Band.
While the second or Governor
Day" and the third or presidents
Day" will be the most notable, the
first DAYS exercises will be interest
ing. The latter day will be given
over to drills and military maneuvers
by the United States Cavalry, on ex-
hibition and races by the Charlotte
fire companies and an exhibition drill
by Charloite's celebrated Drum Corps:
The opening of Governor Day
will be marked by an interesting attn
letic meet on the fairgrounds, to be
witnesses by Governor Kitchen, OF
this state, and by governors OF
Lieutenant governors OF other COM
monwealths each of whom will also
make short addresses. The rest OF
the day will be given over to drills,
baseball game, concerts. music
festival at the auditorium. the day 10
be concluded with an illuminated pa
rade by the Red Mep
The presence anu participation in
the exercises by the President and
Mrs. Taft on the Presidents Day
or last day. will make that occasion
a memorable one. The Presidential
party's entrance within the limits OF
Mecklenburg will be signalized By the
firing of a salute OF twenty one guns
lev the Charlotte artillery. The Pres
identiai special train will arrive early
on the morning OF the 20th and viii
be met at the station by a special
committee who will escort them to
the Selywn Hotel where they form
ally will be welcome to the city by
Governor Kitchin, Senators Simmons
and Oyerman of this state and by the
Mayor.
During their one days stay Presi-
dent and Mrs. Taft VIII De the re-
clpients of much attention and they
will be kept busy holding public re-
ceptions. The first function OF this
kind will be held at the Selywn Hotel
shortly after the arrival OF Mr.. and
Mrs. Taft when they will receive the
members of the escort committee and
heir ladies. Escorted by old soldiers.
the President and Mrs. TAFT. accom-
panied by Mrs. Stonewail Jackson.
widow of the Confederate general.
the governor OF the state, the Mayor
and distinguished visitors VIII start
promptly at noon for specially con-
structed stand. where they will review
a grand parade There also the Presi-
dent will address the putiic at large.
Late in the afternoon he will especi-
ally address the colored people anG
Students Of Biddle University. The
Presidents and Mrs. Tsft's partici-
patton in the celebration will close
with a public reception at the hotel
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