Evening star., 1909-05-21
TAFT POLICY N SOUTH
Not a Political RevoIutionist,
But FeIIoW-American.
ENUNCIATION OF KINSHIP
Government Of Warrington Not
Alien, He Assures Tarheels.
BENCH AND POLITICS DIVORCED
Desires to Appoint Judges Who Will
Have Approval Of Their
Communities.

u0 Oiu a. CtCi SouAo SsSsAASS~~~S e-~
policy toward the south. His own re-
cent appointment of democrat to the
federal bench in this state gave him an
opportunity to expand upon his views.
Mr.. Taft urged again the advisability
Of an intelligent, logical opposition
party. :
"I do not believe that we are on the
point Of a political revolution in the
SOUTH" said the President; I never
have had such q dream. What do de-
sire and believe we are on the eve OF IS
a complete tolerance of opinion, -and
that there shall grow into respect and
power an intelligent fighting opposition
party in each state Of the Union"
The Presidents political utterances
were received with the same fervor Of
enthusiasm as his tribute to the signers
OF the Mecklenburg declaration. The
auditorium where he spoke was crowd
ed to its capacity, and he constantly was
interrupted by the cheers that rose spon-
taneously from his southern hearers.
Justifes Bench Appointment.
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 in
dicated of appointing to Office only that
man who, republican or democrat. can
command the highest confidence ana
commend himself to the community in
which he lives
Mr.. Taft's plea for political tolerance
in the south and his statement that ne
wanted the people of the southland TO
know that the Washington government
was not q government alien to them
had all the effect OF extemporaneous
utterances, for the President spoke
without notes or manuscript once he
had drifted into politics.
1t had been intended that he should
address the public from the reviewing
stand, but the storm caused q change
of program and the President spoke
first in the Charlotte auditorium at
4:30 o'clock, and then was driven two
miles out Of the city and spoke to the
colored students of Biddle University.
Mr.. Taft declared that he would not
count visit to the south complete
without an opportunity to express to
the colored people his interest in them
and his sympathy for them in their
problems.
There was a public reception to the
President last night He left on late
train for Washington.
Plays Raleigh to Mrs. Jackson.
The widow OF Stonewall Jackson, the
famous Confederate leader, occupied
chair beside the President in the re-
viewing stand. When the rain fell in
torrents the canvas covering Of the
stand sagged. and then began to leak.
Soon several small rivers had formed
a pond on the floor, and then Mrs. Jack
son tried to raise her shoes to some
place of comparative dryness. The
President noticed her distress and mod
ernized Sir Walter Raleigh.
He placed his umbrella on the floor
in such position that the lady could
keep her boots out of the water. This
left the presidential person unprotect-
ed, and he was a much bedraggled ex-
ecutive when he returned to the hotel.
He said he liked it.
at the reception in the morning she
said: I am glad to meet the harmo-
nizer OF all our hearts"
Taft's Voice Worn.
The two days OF constant going in the
heat and dust OF the Petersburg battle
fields yesterday and in the drenching
downpour of Charlotte today were quite
trying upon the President. He was per-
ceptibly hoarse today, and when he was
speaking most earnestly of his position
toward the south paused for a moment
and exclaimed amid laughter:
Petersburg.
Among the guests on the platform at
the auditorium when the President was
speaking Of his belief in the Mecklen-
burg declaration regardless Of the exact
language in which the resolutions were
distinguished editor of Charleston, s. c.,
who recently, in paying his compliments
to Speaker Cannon. declared:
He was born in North Carolina, the
President Taft is to celebrate. am sorry
to say
With a twinkle in his eye. after being
introduced by Gov. Kitchin. the Presi-
dent told story at the expense of Maj.
HemphiIl which brought a shout of
laughter from the audience and was en-
joyed by none more than the editor him
self
1--WE are here" said the President, ito
celebrate a declaration of independence,
unregenerate persons in South Carolina
and elsewhere that for various motives
have cast doubt upon the claim"
President Tells Story.
The President declared that the man
who came to Charlotte and was not will
ing to accept the Mecklenburg declaration
in full reminded him of the Tipperary
Irishman who was tried for murder after
he had hit his opponent fatal blow with
a blackthorn.
II developed at the trial that the victim
had a paper or very thin skull. Conse-
ouently the defendant was convicted only
Of manslaughter.
When sentence came to be passed the
convicted man was asked If he had any
thing to say.
mo, your honor" he replied. according
to Mr. Taft. but your honor. l would
like to ask wan QUESTION. what the divil
was a man with a head like that doing In
Tipperary?"
President Taft declared that the i'm
portant part of the Mecklenburg declara-
tion. as viewed from the standpoint OF
practical patriotism and practical states
manship was not the general declarations
as to the rights of man. but the practical
provision for a government which was to
succeed that of Great Britain.