The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-10-03

program which was arranged with
espiciai reference to his comfort and
convenience. and yet calculated to
give the people of the entire city an
opportunity to see the chief executive
of the nation, President Taft spent
what he declared to be one Of the
pleasantest days of his western trip
in Portland today.
During the forenoon the president
received from 10000 school children of
the city a tribute which brought tears
ta his eyes. The boys and girls were
banked i'm red. white and blue rows in
the grandstand on Multnomah field to
form Il living flag
The president entered the field
through a gate at the crest of hill
and the view of the children burst
ing upon him ut once called out an
expression of wonderment and delight.
His entrance was the signal for an
autburst of cheering from the fresh.
young persons which continued with
unabated enthusiasm until Mr.. Taft
had taken the place arranged for him
on "A stand directly facing the flag"
Then he witnessed a drill by the chill
dren. which, combined with their
cheers, inspired him, he declared, as
had no other sight i'm all his travels.
Tears Came.
Following the motion of a leader,
the children stopped from view, then
sprang to their feet with cheer
which fairly pierced the air and waved
red white and blue banners in n per-
feet storm of fluttering colors. Then,
ut the command of the leader to
spell Taft" one set OF children with
loud shout OF IT, held up yellow
banners To form that letter. Then
came the "A" the IF" and the final
IT followed by crashing cry of
Taft" which seemed to re-echo back
again from the far-distant mountains.
During the exhibition the president
stood with eyes fixed upon the effer-
seseent children. He asked that the
spelling be repeated and 1t was then
that the tears came, A waltz. played
by band. was followed by the chill
dren in rythm of moving colors,
which caused MIR. Taft unconsciousls
To nod his head from side to side In
unison with the music and the flow
ing picture before him. When the
drili was ended and the children had
been called to attention. the president
addressed few words To them.
Inspiring Sight.
II did not intend to make a speech"
he said, but have been SO inspired by
you that l cannot refrain from ex-
pressing my gratitude for your Won
derful drill and this beautiful effect.
1t inspires us who see it and. | hope,
you who participate i'm 1t with sense
of patriotism and a love of country.
l have been greeted by the school
children of nearly every city l have
visited. hut no exhibition. no dem
onstration has been more beautiful
than this. You call your city the
City of Roses because of the beauti-
full flowers. but l look now upon 20
900 human roses, upon which / con-
gratulate your city and your parents
much more. / hope that you will
cherish this occasion as one which
will bring back with its memory the
loyal thought nf love of country. God
bless you ALL goodbye"
The president arrived in Portland at
o'clock this morning and his day be-
gan with a breakfast at the Hotel
Portland as the guest of the local
committee of entertainment. Then
came a ride by automobile through
the principal streets Of the city. The
city was splendidly decorated.
Military Display.
The president has been anxious that
in every city he mas visited the peo-
pie should have an opportunity of
satisfying the always prevalent de-
sire to see the president of the coun-
try, regardless of who may tempor-
arily hold that office. and has been
sexed At one or two places where the
arrangements for the general public
have not been what they should. The
ride of the president through the city
was made the occasion of military dis
play By the United States forces sta
toned at Vancouver barracks under
Rrigaiier General Maus. commanding
the department Of the Columbia. the
troops being reviewed by the presi-
dent at the conclusion of their escort
duty
From Mulfnomah field the president
paid Il flying visit to former Attorney
General George H. Williams, who
served under President Grant and is
now in his s1th year. General Will
lIams is confined in the Good Samar-
itan hospital and was much cheered
by the presidents cail.
He is your grand old man of Ore
gon." the president said later in the
course of an address. He was the
warm and devoted friend Of my IA
ther and has in turn honered me with
friendship which I deeply prize
Mr.. Taft was the luncheon guest of