Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1909-10-06
PRESIDENT TAFT'S TOUR
Enthusiastic Thousands Greet Him.
On His Western Trip.

During Saturday forenoon at Port
land, Oregon, the President received
from 10000 school children a tribute
which. brought tears to his eyes Fhe
boys and girls were banked in red,
white mad blue rows in the grandstand
ON Multnomah field to form a living
flag"
The. President entered the field
through gate at the crest Of hill
end the view Of the children bursting
upon him all at once called out an ex-
preston Of wonderment and delight.
His entrance was the signal for an
outburst of cheering from the fresh
young voices which continued until
Mr.. Taft had taken the place arrang-
ed for him on stand directly facing
the "fag." Then ne witnessed a
drill by the children which combined
with their cheers inspired him, he de-
clared, as had no other sight in all his
travels. .
Following the motions of leader
the children stopped from view, then
sprang to otheir feet with cheer which
fairly pierced the ear and waved red,
white and blue banners in perfect
storm of futtering colors. ;
Then at the command of the Leader
TO smell HTaftD one set of children
with loud shout of "T" held up yel-
low banners to form that letter. Then
came the "A, J" "F" and the fanl
"T" followed by crashing cry of
"Taft" which soomed to echo back
again from the far distant mountains.
During the exhibition the President
stood with eyes fixed upon the child
ren. He asked that the spelling be
repated and it was then that the
tears came.
The children were mass of NOV
ing colors, which caused Mr.. Taft M
consciously to nod his head from side
to side in unison with the music and
The flowing picture before him. When
the drill ended and the children had
been called to attention, the President
addressed few words to them.
The Portland tribute was one Of
the most enthusiastic he. has bad. The
ride through the city was made the
occasion of a military display by the
United States forces stationed at
Vancouver barracks, the troops being
reviewed by the President at the con-
clusion of their escort duty.
On Sunday he preached another
sermon, this time at the cornestone
laying Of the First Universalist
church in East Portland. The Presi-
dent handled the silver trowel and.
worked hard to see that the stone was.
properly adjusted. He referred to
his various church experiences and in
concluding said: "No church in this
country, however humble it may be,
that breaches the doctrine of true re-
5ligion and true morality will lack my
earnest support to make it more in.
fuential whenevr opportunity offers. ~
The Presidents train left at l0:10
%. m. over the Southern Pacific for
Sacramento; Cal.
Mr.. Taft attended the morning
services at the First Unitarian church
in Portland and. listened to sermon
by Rev. w. g. Eliot, Jr. Afterwards
The was the guest of honor at "a lunch
con rendered by Senator Bourne. In
the early afternoon he visited St.
AMary's Roman Catholic school and
made fve-minute address to the
school children in which he declared
that loyalty to the Church meant fdel-
sity to the country.
The line of march followed by the
presidential party to East Portland
was crowded and there was cheering
all along the-way.
Later in the day when he was ad-
mitted to membership in the Arctic
Brotherhood, an international organ
ization, made. up of Canadians and
Americans interested in the develop
ment of Alaska, the President an
nounced that. he intended to visit
Alaska next summer and to go as
far into the territory as time would
permit in order that he might come
into contact with the people and see
for himself what might best be done
for their welfare.
The President frankly. told the
members of the brotherhood that he
did not believe Alaska at this time
is ready for entire self-government.
81. am as much in favor Of popular
government as anybody" declared
the President, "but I am in favor Of
popular government only when the
conditions exist under which popular
government may be a success and
work for the benefit Of the people
and the government at large. When
there are limitations growing out of
various circumstances we must take
other means until poular government
becomes possible, and then, of course,
it is the best government in the
world"
After passing two days in and
about Seattle, President Taft went to
Tacoma Friday night and received
from an audience that thronged the
big armory one of the most cordial
o,t;,,e 20 bic 4,,;n He Was enter.