The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1909-01-21
This Southern City Entertains
in Great Style.
ALL FORMER EFFORTS 0UTDONE
After Talking Through Georgia"
Making a Half Dozen Speeches, the
President-Elect Is Greeted at the
Georgia Capital in True Atlanta
Style.

deOISId. 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 Nh. Taft in his
reception at the Capitol and at the
Piedmont Hotel, where he was sought
by thousands, constitute a 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 a 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-
n and presented by a grandniece of
the distinguished Georgian, touched a
tender cord and brought forth a
warm tribute to the memory Of
Stephens at Charlottesville.
The young men of Emory College
were cheered on their way at Coving-
ton and the girl students of Agnes
Scott Institute at Decatur were ad-
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 welcome to Mr.. Taft be-
gan in the railroad yards where all
locomotives tied open their whistles
and ceased only when he had retired
for the night at his hotel. Thousands
were 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 a committee of seventy
gave him a formal reception, after
which the Governor presented him to
the tremendous crowd and Mr.. Taft
once more voiced his reciprocity of
cordalty and good feeling at his re-
ception. He was at once escorted by
q 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
MI. Taft, Governor Smith received
him and the officials of the city and
State generally participated in his
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
oratlons, but a quaint programme of
old-tlme negro songs illustrating the
days, sung as solos by preachers, doc
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 a forest of palms and ferns. Di-
rectly behind the guest of honor vas
an electric flag which not only waved
but flashed forth a likeness of Mr..
Taft when the President-eleet arose
to speak.
A BILLY 'Possum."
After the 'possum, Eaters and
'simmon bear had been served, and
the many other course of the feast.
the guests, led by the orchestra, broke
into song. Judge Taft joined heartily
IN the merriment. He was presented
with a chilly 'possum" constructed
after the manne of the ''teddy
bear" to be the emblem of his admin
istration!
He was also made the recipient of
a silver pocket water flask, bearing
the coat of arms. of Georgia, the gift
of Mrs Granddaughter
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 as stand
nigh as citizens in the localities in
which they live.
Mr. Taft said with feeling that he
was proud to have been the first Re-
publican candidate for the presidency
who had carried his canvas south
of Mason and Dixon's line.
In concluding Mr.. Taft said:
ct beg those of my hearers who |
differ with me politically not to sup
pose that their cordiality and
courteous reception are misunder-
stood by me. I know that they
spring from an earnest and patriotic
desire to paw prone respect to the