Evening star., 1909-05-16
MeckIenburg Celebration As
suming Grand Proportions.
PRESIDENTS DAY PROGRAM
Elaborate Entertainment Planned
for Coming Of Taft.
HE WILL MAKE TWO SPEECHES
Drills, Maneuvers, Base Ball Games
Music, Addresses, Receptions,
Parades All Are Projected.

CHARLOTTE. N. c.. May 15.-The eel
ebration this year. commemorative OF the
adoption Of a declaration Of Independence
by the people OF Mecklenburg. N. c.. as
early as May. 1775, promises to be one
Of the largest and most successful ever
held here.
The announcement that President Taft
would lend his presence and deliver the
principal address has intensified interest
In the occasion. In consequences the city
Is rapidly dlling up with thousands OF
visitors.
It has been tho wish OF President Taft
for q long time to meet and become
better acquainted with the people Of the
south. This occasion will enable him
to carry out that desire.
Three Days Of Fun.
Tho program provides for three days
OF elaborate exercises, commencing at
noon. May Is. and continuing In rapid
succession with interesting events until
the close. May 20. A feature Of the
program which. will be pleasing to en-
thusiastic base ball 'fans" is that a
game of this favorite sport will be played
each day during the celebration.
President Taft himself Is an enthusias-
tic as q schoolboy over this popular
sport. He probably will not miss the
opportunity to attend at least one of
the games during his visit to the historic
city.
A carnival of fun will be offered in
numerous ''sideshows," which will give
continuous performances. A series OF
States Regimental Band.
While the second. or Governors day.
and tho third, or PRESIDENTS day." will
be the most notable. the first days exer-
Gisss Gss vii Ti1 - be ,1sa inteaestins The opening
tary maneuvers by the United States
cavalry. an exhibition and races by the
Charlotte fire companies. and an exhibi-
ton drill by Charlotte's celebrated drum
corps.
The opening Of Governors day. will
be marked by an interesting athletic meet
on the fairgrounds, to be witnessed by
Gov Kitchin OF this state and by govern
ors and lieutenant governors Of other
commonwealths. each Of whom will also
make short addresses. The rest OF the
day will be given over to drills. a base ball
game, concerts and q music festival at the
auditorium. the day to be concluded with
an illuminated parade by the ''Red Men. "
Entertainment Of President.
The presence and participation In the
exercises by the President and Mrs. TAFT
on the Presidents day." or last day, will
make that occasion memorable. The
presidential party's entrance within the
limits Of Mecklenburg will be signalized
by the firing OF q salute Of tWenty-one
guns by the Charlotte artillery.
The presidential special train will arrive
early on the morning Of May 20. and will
be met at the station by special COM
mittee. which will escort them to the
Selwyn Hotel, where they formally will
be welcomed to the city by Gov. Kitchin,
Senators Simmons and Overman OF this
state and by the mayor.
During their one days stay President
and Mrs. Taft will be the recipients of
much attention and will be kept busy
holding public receptions. The first func-
ton of this kind will be held at the
Selwyn Hotel shortly after the arrival Of
the President and Mrs. Taft, when they
will receive the members Of the escort
committee and their ladies.
Escorted by old soldiers, the President
and Mrs. Taft, accompanied by Mrs
Stonewall Jackson, widow Of the Confed-
crate general: the governor OF the state,
the mayor and distinguished visitors, will
start promptly at noon for a specially
constructed stand. where they will review
a grand parade. There also the President
will address the public at large.
Late In the afternoon he will specially
address the colored people and students
Of Biddle University. The President s
and Mrs. Taft's participation in the cele-
bration will close with public reception
at the hotel early in the evening.