Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-03
TEARS IN TAFT'S EYES
Deeply Touched by ChiIdren's
Welcome to Portland.
"ROSES OF THE ROSE CITY"
His Tribute to 10000 Boys and Girls
in Inspiring Drill.
ONE OF HAPPIEST DAYS OF TRIP
Plays Little Golf In the Afternoon
and "Meets Up" With a Flock
Of Senator'S.
''ROSES OF THE ROSE CITY"
ONE OF HAPPIEsT DAYS OF TRIP

PORTLAND, Ore, October 2.-Carrying
out a program which was arranged with
especial reference to his comfort and con-
venience and yet calculated to give the
people of the entire city an opportunity
to see him. President Taft spent in Port
land today what he declared to be one
of the pleasantest days Of his western
trip.
During the forenoon the President re-
ce.ved from 10000 school children .
tribute which brought tears to his eyes.
The boys and girls were banked in red.
white and blue rows in the grandstand
on Multnomah Field to form q living
flag"
This form of tribute has been offered
at other cities visited by Mr.. Taft on
his trip. but at no other place approached
the magnitude of what proved to be the
distinct feature of the day.
The President entered the field through
gate at the crest Of hill, and the
view of the children bursting upon him
all at once called out an expression or
wonderment and delight. His entrance
was the signal for an outburst of cheer
ing from the fresh young voices. which
continued until Mr.. Taft had taken the
place arranged for him on a stand direct
ly facing the flag
An Inspiring Sight.
Then he Witnessed a drill by the chill
dren, which combined with their cheers
inspired him. he declared. as had no other
sight in all his travels
Following the motions Of leader the
children stopped from view, then sprang
to their feet with a cheer which fairly
pierced the ear, and waved red. white and
blue banners in a perfect storm of nutter-
ing cOlOrs
Then at the command of the leader to
spell Taft" one set of children, with a
loud shout of IT. held up yellow ban.
ners to form that letter Then came the
"A" FL and the final IT. followed ny
crashing cry of Taft which seemed to
echo back again from the far-distant
During the exhibition the President stood
with eyes fixed upon the children. He
asked that the spelling be repeated. and it
was then that the tears came. waltz
was played by band.
The children were mass or moving
colors. which caused Mr.. TAFT uncon-
sciously to nod his head from side to side.
in unison with the music and the flowing
picture before him. When the drill ended
and the children had been called to atten-
ton. the President addressed a few words
to them.
"Roses of the Rose City"
"I did not intend to make a speech"
he said, "but 1 have been so inspired oy
YOU that I cannot refrain from expressing
INV gratitude for your wonderful drill and
the beautiful effect. 1t inspires us VINO
see it and l hope you who participate -
II with a sense of patriotism and love
Of country. 1 have been greeted by the
school children of nearly every city L
have visited. but no exhibition, no demon
stration has been more beautiful than
this. You call your city the city OF roses
because of the beautiful flowers. but l
look now upon 10000 human roses. upon
which I congratulate your city and your
parents much more. l hope that You Will
bring back with its memory the loyal
thought Of love of country. God bless
YOU ALL"
The President arrived in Portland at
o'clock this morning, and his day began
with a breakfast at the Hotel Portland
as guest Of the local committee Of enter
tainment. Then came ride by automo-
bile through the principal streets. The
city was splendidly decorated, and the
crowd which lined the route of march
suggested holiday
All Saw the President.
The President has been anxious that in
every city he has visited the people
should have an opportunity of satisfying
the always prevalent desire to see the
President of the country, regardless of
who may temporarily hold that Office.
and has been veXed at one or two places
where the arrangements for the general
public were not satisfactory,
The Portland tribute today was one of