Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1909-01-20
MR..TAFTINATL|AN'TA /
This Southern i I City Entertains ,r
in Great Style. a.
ALL FORMER EFFORTS OUTDONE
After Talking Through Georgia"
Making Half Dozen Speeches, the
President-Elect Is Greeted at the
Georgia Capital in True Atlanta
Style.

Atlanta, Ga, Special.-President-
elect William Fl. Taft was Friday il
the cordial and hospitable embrace OF
Georgia. Recognizing the climax Of
the varied and continuous demonstra-
tions in the brilliant and imposing
scene presented at the banquet here
he exclaimed with evidences Of great
feeling:
81 had not hoped to win the South
but the South has won me-"
The banquet was the most am.
bilious event of its kind the city has
ever undertaken. Though partici.
pated in by more than 500 Of the
city's representative men, it was
gloried in by the entire population
1t, and the preceding eloquence OF
welcome extended to Mr.. Taft in his
reception at the Capitol and at the
Piedmont Hotel, where he was sought
by thousands, constitute brilliant
chapter in his record Of achievements
south of Mason and Dixon's line.
Talks Along the Way.
"Talking through Georgia" is a
literal description Of his trip from
Augusta to Atlanta. And wherever
the special train, which Atlanta pro-
vided, came to q halt there were
cheering crowds evidencing their cor
diality by floral tributes, by cheers,
bands and speeches in which the
President-elect was told that he was
respected, admired, loved.
A little bunch of violets plucked
from the grave of Alexander Steph-
ems and presented by grandniece OF
the distinguished Georgian, touched q
tender cord and brought forth
warm tribute to the memory OF
Stephens at Charlottesville.
The young men sf Emory College
were cheered on their cay at Coving'
ton and the girl students of Agnes
Scott Institute at Decatur were adj
dressed as "My Girl Friends. and
talked to pleasantly. When Mayor
Butler, of Madison, predicted ga
term Of eight years for Taft" the big
ohioan responded by saying he hoped
the mayor was a true prophet.
Atlanta's welcome to Mr.. Taft be-
gan in the railroad yards where all
locomotives tied open their whistles
and ceased ossy when he had retired
for the night at his hotel Thousands
we're at the station, thousands fol
lowed him through the streets as he
was drawn by four cream-colored
horses to the Capitol. Governor
Smith and q, committee Of seventy
gave him formal reception, after
which the Governor presented him to
the tremendous crowd and Mr.. Taft
once more voiced his reciprocity OF
cordality and good feeling at his re-
ception. He was at once escorted by
a squad Of mounted police to the
Piedmont Hotel, where he was ten
dered a reception by the chamber of
commerce, the Ohio Society and Yale
alumni.
Governor-elect Brown came with
Mr.. Taft, Governor Smith received
him and the officials Of the city and
State generally participated in bis
welcome.
The features Of the banquet includ.
ed not only the striking appearance
of the high, pillared room, with its
white walls, and flag scheme of dec
orations, but a quaint programme OF
old-time negro songs illustrating the
days, sung as solos by preachers, doe
tors and judges.
The tables were the streamers OF
two huge flags, the field Of each being
formed by the speakers table set be-
fore forest of palms and ferns. Di-
reetlv behind the guest of honor was
an electric flag which not only waved
but flashed forth likeness Of Mr.
Taft when the President-elect arose
to speak.
A "Bi1ly 'Possum."
After the 'possum, Eaters and
'simmon bear had been served, and
the many other courses of the feast
the guests, led by the orchestra, broke
into song. Judge Taft joined heartily
in the merrinent. He was presented
with a chilly 'possum" constructed
after the manner of the t''teddy
bear" to be the emblem Of his admin.
istration.
He was also made the recipient Of
silver pscket water flask, bearing
the coat Of arms of Georgia, the gif
of Mrs. James Longstreet.
What was taken as the most lasting
and satisfactory feature of Mr.
Taft's speech was his expressed de
sire to appoint to Federal positions
in the South only such men rs stanc
high as citizens in the localities II
which they live.