The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-01-16

Atlanta, Ca. Jan. 15.-In a speech here
tonight at one Of the most notable ban
ouets ever held in the South. Judge Taft
served notice on the professional Repub-
lican ofHeeholders Of this part Of the
country that their day is over.
He made it clear to the Geo southerners
who sat about him that the Republican
party would no longer be run IN the South
merely for the convention votes It viii
yield, but that there would be a sincere
ef-ort 10 appeal to the progressive and
substantial part Of the community.
The Atlanta dinner had long been her
aided In the newspapers because OF Mr..
Teft's expressed desire that he be served
With 'possum and sweet potatoes. He
had both in profusion. wiki persimmon
serce on the side. But. just TO be sure
that Air. Taft wouldn't 20 hungry. the
eeorgiaas threw in a lot Of wild turkey.
Georgia quail, and sliced watermelon. It
was the greatest feed the President
elect has tsen Up against since he entered
this land OF big hearts and big dinners.
Likes HIS 'POssum.
1ir. Taft went after his 'possum as f.
he liked IL L was the finest IN the lot.
the plumpest IN batch OF Ioa that had
been gathered Tor the feast Il weighed
eighteen pounds. almost twice as much
as the ordinary 'possum and il was one
of Afianta's own products.
Tne best 'possum cooks in Georsfs b4s
been Imported To attend 10 the prepara-
ton OF the Presidential 'possum and
TIE other niaet5-nine that had been in
Ciuded in the slaughter The cooks. AL
Of them old plantation darkies. and an Of
the 'possuns. with the exception OF big
Billy Taft Of Atlanta. came from Judge
Frank Parks place UP in Worth County.
Judge Park sent old Uncle Lew and two
mammies dOEn 10 Atlanta yesterday.
and they had been the busiest individuals
on earth ever since
Uncle Levi killed the entire batch in
his own way. and he is complaining OF
mighty lame aim tonight. After
cleaning the entire lot he gave them q
cold water bath Of twelve hours to kin
de animal5r taste. Then they were
''parbiled till dey IS tree-third done" and
finally barbecued- The eighteen-pounderI
came on the Taft table as crisp and
brown as a well-baked turkey and fes-
tooned with rieh. yellow ;yams."
Call for Forty Extra.
Judge Park contracted TO furnish all
the 'possums free. The dinner commit
tee made call for forty extra 'possums
only two days ago. and the Judge had TO
20 through Worth County with a fine
teeth comb
The dinner committee informed Mr..
Taft OF his efforts. and also Of the letter
which he had written, announcing the
success OF his undertaking.
I felt, when the train left this morn
ing with the extra 'possums." he wrote.
that If I had dropped dead nv friends
could write my epitaph Ike the cowboy
CID on lis partner. IN Arizona.
Here lies Bill sins. aged forry-fo-.r.
He done h.s daElnGest. angels could do no more.' 90
Mr. Tafss 'possum was carried in ten
derry BY TWO walters while the band
played q Georgia camp meeting air.
While the walters placed their knives on 4
the beast, the Rev. DIT. J. ". Lee. 1
Methodist minister, sang that old negro /
song. Carve Him TO de Heart"
Drink TafFs Health.
After Mr. Taft had cleared his plate 4
the 50 Southeners rose and drank his
health with persimmon beer. But the
President elect could not get away from
'Tnssun, even after he got a new start i
on tne-4.z@ru President Candle. Of the
Chamber Of Commerce. presented him
with a espectable-looking Billy Pos
sum" with a flannel hide. and fofsted its 4
glory over that OF the Teddy Bear
In the course OF the banquet, the Presi- 4
dent-elect was also presented with 2 sill
Yer flask filed with mountain spring
water from Gainesville. Ga, the gift Of I
Mrs James c. Longstreet-
The gift was apparently intended as = I
tribute 10 Mr. Taft's water wagon
proclivities.
The dinner was held under the ans
Pices Of the chamber Of commerce. The
demand for tickets was so great that the
committee was obliged to select the big
auditorium OF the armOTy for the feast
but even that failed TO accommodate the
crowd that wanted 10 attend Delesa
tons came from several outside cities
Taft the Last Speaker.
A G. Candler, president Of the cham
Der OF commerce. was toastmaster. At
the speakers table sat GOV. Hoke Smith
and Gov--elect Joseph II. Brown. OF
Georgia. and many other prominent men
Of the State. Robert F Maddox. the
mayor, spoke Of Atlanta: Gov. smith. Of
the State. and Thomas. G. Jones. ex-gov-
ernor, Of Alabama, Of the American
citized M Taft was the last speaker.
He got a splendid welcome as he rose
and he was interrupted several tines By
the applause
Mr. Taft disclaimed any intention OF
making 2 political appeal before such
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