Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-06
TAFT En- ROUTE TO AUGUSTA
WILL SPEND SUNDAY AMID FA-
MILIAR SCENES.
In Columbia for a Short Stop This
Afternoon-Has Enjoyable
Day at Charleston.

CHARLESTON. s. c.. November g.
After enjoying a long nights rest at the
home of Mayor Rhett. where he has been
entertained during his stay here. Presi-
dent Taft left at o'clock this morning
for Columbia, S. c., to spend several
hours there this afternoon and then go to
Augusta, Ga. to stay over Sunday.
The President Is looking forward with
great deal Of pleasure to his stay in
Augusta and the renewal Of the many ac-
quaintances he made there last winter.
when he was waiting to take the oath of
his present office.
Realizing the recent hard strain on the
Presidents powers of endurance, the ban
quet given in his honor by the city of
Charleston last night was arranged with
view to his comfort and pleasure. The
only set speeches were the Introduction
of Mr.. Taft by Mayor Rhett and the
Presidents response. and the banquet
broke up early.
Gov. Ansel, United States Senators Till
man and Smith and other noted citizens
Of the state were In Charleston yesterday
evening to greet the President on his ar
lumbia this morning.
A Picturesque Reception.
Arriving at dusk. President Taft had one
Of the most picturesque receptions Of his
trip. At the head of a procession Of au-
tomobiles and escorted by an imposing
array Of military organizations, he passed
through the principal business streets of
the city, under arches OF electric lights
that gave an illumination almost equal to
day. The sidewalks held a throng that at
places overlooked into the street, and the
Presidents progress from the Union sta
ton to the home OF Mayor Rhett, where
he spent the night. was marked by cheers.
Mr.. Taft Is no stranger to Charleston.
years. and said today in Savannah that he
was going home to Charleston" His
reception last night was a repetition of
the cordial welcomes the President had
received elsewhere throughout the south
and which have made his stay in this Sec
ton Of the country one Of the pleasantest
features of the long presidential trip.
Almost every sentence OF Mr.. Taft's
speech at the banquet last night was in
terrupted with applause. His remarks
minded the banqueters that this was his
sixth visit to Charleston and that In COM
ing here his reception was not simply
that OF another hosptable southern city.
but that this was like coming home.
where he already had friends who knew
him and whom he knew.
Best Port for Panama.
He repeated his belief that Charleston
is the best Of all ports from which to
embark for Panama, revived entertaining
ly his experience on the present tour of
the country. paid q high tribute to Con-
gresham George Legare of this city and
in closing said:
Il repeat that In coming to Charleston
1 have felt that I was coming home and
not simply to another Of the delightful
cities OF the south with its magnificent
traditions with its enormous possibilities
and with its intense loyalty. I hope to
come here again as soon as I can and 1
hope that Charleston will retain all her
attractiveness. that she will lose none Of
those residences and those other struc-
lures that make her unique throughout
the country, that she will continue to
have that press which makes each paper
so interesting in discussing the other and
that all the characters that go to make
up your interesting society may remain
here and live forever"