Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-01-19
SQUARE DEAL. FOR
SOUTH PROMISED
BY JUDGE TAFT
In Remarkable Utterance, Not
able For Its Breadth and
Kindly Spirit. President
Elect Outlines His Attitude.


The address Of William Howard Taft at
the banquet given in his honor Friday
evening by the Atlanta Chamber OF Com
merce was one OF the most notable ever
delivered BY president OF the United
Stntes-for that Is what Mr. Taft now
virtually is-to the people OF the south. IL
was remarkable first OF all for its splen-
did propriety, for the frankness with
which he recognized the political leanings
and rights OF this section 1t was signin-
cant for the promise Il. gave that under
his administration The south's fun place
IN the union should be emphasized. From
beginning 70 end the president-elect's ad-
dress was marked with good humor, ease.
absolute ingenuousneSs and freedom from
everything that smacks OF partizanship.
lie declared openly that he did not mis-
interpret the cordiality of his reception;
that he knew and appreciated the politi-
cal proclfvities Of this part Of the coun-
Try. He had been credited. he said. with
having tried to win over the south 10 a
party different from that Of its ancestral
following
II don't think he said. that the most
vigorous efforts in this direction could
now make any special difference in the
electoral college. But can say that the
south has won me over"
He reiterated his statement that one
OF the first duties OF the incoming admin
istration was 10 see to an honest revision
OF the tsrif. He declared. too. that one
Of the objects OF that administration
would be 10 direct federal appointments
! the south In such manner as TO prove
the administrators genuine regard for
this section
Judge Taft's speech Follows
Mr. rafrs address is. given in fun be-
low. His introductory remarks. however.
we're improyised. He began by thanking
the chamber OF commerce for its hospital
ity and By referring humorOusIy to the.
opossum dish .
Il had read in the newspapers q good
deal OF this banquet before l. came. he.
said. Everyone seemed particularly In
terested IN one special dish. Far away
an Illinois some OF my friends heard Of
Il and this morning i received a letter
from one OF tnem begging me for my
sake, the country's sake and Gods sake
not % eat any OF that dish. He referred
me to a chapter In Lsviticus where, he
said. the dish was forbidden. Well, this,
afternoon sent down for the Piedmont
hotel Bible-andl I am pleased 20 testify
that the hotel has Bible-and looked up
the chapter recommended to me-, But
despite that advice. I have eaten OF this.
disA and have enjoyed It as thoroughly
II not more thoroughly than anything
else on the menu. And so am reminded
Of Lowell and OF what a certain old
'Ginrial C, had to say In his Bigelow
Papers. The general remarked when
somebody cited scripture against one of
his habits. Wei. they didn't know every
thing down in Jndea, anyhow.
Speech I'm Full
Mr.. Chairman. Gentleinsn of Atlanta,
and Atlanta Guests:
I came south 70 Augusta to obtain rest
from a nervous strain due to a cam
uaixn OF public speaking. This was the
avoued and the real purpose OF my visit
20 summerville. that suburb OF Augusta,
upon the sand hills. whence IL Is posi-
bic TO look over into the promised land
Of the dIspeusary. Before left Washing
ton and IN the hurry Of that capital. /
was honored BY a visit from a committee
OF eloquent. meilfuious and sweet
spoken gentlemen headed by your dis
tingushed handsome and impressive gov
ernor. who secured from me q promise
10 visit that city which they said was
more fully representative OF the energy.
enterprise. business courage and mod
esty OF the south than any other No
sooner had accepted the invitation
than began TO realize that Atlanta
was the place OF all others for man IN
search OF rest 70 avoid. Rising from its
own ashes some forty years ago. this
city and It's Inhabitants have led the
strenuous life in the marvellous growth
and devei0pment Of the city.-and no man
could expect a rest 50 long, as he was
In it's custody and under IT'S control.
Only three cities suggest the spirit Of
civic energy and enterprise which one
finds here. These are Chicago. Kansas
city and Seattle. and 7 say this with
hesitation. lest there be some among
those who hear me who viii object 10
the comparison as unjust and uncomplf-
mentary. sE7 r.
have referred 10 the late presidential
campaign IN which Il fell to my lot TO
make some four hundred speeches and TO
make some Of them in the ueighboring
states Of Tennessee and North Carolina.
T did not come as far as Atlanta. and I
am sorry that time did not permit am
proud to have been the first Republicans
candidate for the presidsucv who. in the
course Of hts campaign. visited states
south OF Mason and Dixon's line for
however little IT'S eject upon the electoral
college. e Is an Indication Of progress
Of political Independence and political
tolerance re
Advocated Political Change
After the election had gotten 50 into