Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-05-21
PRESIDENT J ! TAFT
Is Cementing Friendship
With the souiherners.
.Cheered 10 The Echo During
Speech at Charlotte, \. G.
His Southern Appointments will
Be Regardless Of Politics.

Charlotte, N. c., May 20.-President
Taft came today to Charlotte, the home
of the Mecklenburg Declaration of In
dependence, signed in May of 1875. and
placed himself squarely on the side of
ton as one of the first significant steps
which led ultimately to American in
dependence.
In his address to the people of North
Carolina late in the day, the President
clearly explained his policy towards
the South. His own recent appointment
of a Democrat to the federal bench in
this state gave his opportunity to ex-
pand upon his previously expressed
views. Mr.. Taft urged again the advis-
ability of an intelligent, logical oppo-
sition party.
II do not believe that we are on the
point of a political revolution in the
South" said the President. Il never
had such a dream. What I do desire,
and believe we are on the eve of, is a
complete tolerance of opinion and that
there shall grow into respect and pow
er an intelligent fighting opposition
party in every state of the UniOn.',4
Tho Presidents political utterances
We're received with the same fervor of
enthusiasm as his tribute to the sign
ers Of the Mecklenburg declaration.
Mr.. Taft was constantly interrupted
By the cheers that rose spontaneously
from his Southern hearers AS to his
appointment of Democrat upon the
bench. the President declared that
throughout the South he intended to
pursue the policy he already had indi-
Gated of appointing to office only that
man who, Republican or Democrat, can
command the highest confidence and
commend himself to the community in
which he lives.
Mr., Taft's plea for political tolerance
in the South and his statement that
he wanted the people of the South to
know that the Washington government
was not a government alien to them,
had all the effect of extemporaneous
utteranceS, for the President spoke
without notes, once he had drifted into
politics.
A cloudburst breaking over the city
during the afternoon just as the splen-
did military floral and civic parade was
passing in review before the Presi-
dent, promised serious consequences
for time. Il set the densely packed
throng in front of the reviewing stand
into a panic and there was wild
rush for shelter. The Presidents box
was a goal for many men and women
and the Chief Executive had to be sur
rounded to save him from the sudden
crush.
In the midst of the storm a passing
Industrial float became entangled in a
live electric wire and tore it from it's
support, the slender thread of copper
sagging almost to the heads of the
scampering crowd below. While the
confusion was at it's height and to add
to the tense situation, there was a
binding fash of flame and a loud re-
port not so yards from where the Pres
ident stood 1t developed later that a
quantity of black powder which was
to have been used for saluting purposes
had been prematurely ignited. No one
was injured either in the explosion or
in the crush about the stand.
The President received quite a
drenching and for time it seemed
that the frail canvas covering the re-
viewing stand would tumble about the
heads of those beneath. Among these
was Mrs. "Stonewall' Jackson. When
she had. met Mr.. Taft earlier in the
day she hal earnestly exclaimed:
II am indeed delighted to know the
harmonizer of all our hearts"
The parade which was interrupted near
its close by the sudden storm was one
Of the most pretentious ever undertaken
in the South. Beautiful floats, represent
ing weeks of labor We're transformed in
a minute to faded, hedraggled masses.
On many of the floats rode women and
little children in fihny summer frocks.
They were drenched before they could
flee to shelter.
President Taft spoke twice during the
day. The storm interfered with the pro-
gram for his addressing the public from
the reviewing" stand and he spoke first
in the Charlotte Auditorium at 4.30 p. M.
The President was then driven two miles
and spoke to fhe "co1ored residents. Mr..
Taft declared that he would not count a
visit to the South complete without an
opportunity to express to the colored
people his interest in them and his SYM
pathy for them in their problems.
A public reception was given the Presi-
dent tonight and he left on late train
for Washington, where he is due to ar
rive shortly before noon tomorrow. The
two days of constant going in the heat
and dust on the Petersboro battlefields
and the drenching downpour of Charlotte
today were quite trying to the President.
He was perceptibly hoarse today.
President Taft declared at the Audito-
rum that the important part of the
Mecklenburg declaration as viewed from
the standpoint of practical patriotism and
craftsmanship was not the general dec
larations as to the rights of man. but
the practical provision for government
which was to succeed that of Great Bri-
tain.
The declaration, the President said
showed wisdom, self-reliance and will
ingness to accept the responsibility of
maintaining a government of law and
order.
Mr. Taft spoke of the war between
the states and said:
You in the Southland had the
troubles, the suffering, the sad losses
burned into your hearts with more
emphasis than we in the Northland