New-York tribune., 1909-02-14
Mr.. TAFT CONES NORTH.
Attacks Canal Opponents an South
ern Speeches.

Birmingham Ala Feb l3-Talking through
Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama just like cam
paign days, the President-elect had the gratifca-
ton to-day, which he evidently enjoyed, of being
heartily received by large and enthusiastic crowds
who had not voted him. He took numerous
occasions to make his appreciation plain. at the
same time leaving touch of irony behind in the
form of a reminder that his pre-campaign predic-
tions had surely come true and not only did the
South seem willing to accept him as their Presi-
dent but his greatest desire, he said. was to be
the President Of every man, woman ana chlld IN
the nation.
There was one other burden the Taft mind
to-day-his utter contempt for what he termed the
baseless and hurtful criticisms of the work being
done the Panama Canal To the people OF
Hattiesburg, Miss, Mr.. Taft said:
I am delighted TO look into your faces: delighted
70 say you that J. am your President and you
again It win crafty me to come down
here to Hstesbu5g named afteT .on doubt of n3i
CONE one up S tS " and and Te VIII III oS
you the that You own just as much Of the white
House and have as much rislt to call on the the
pies II and it-as anybody"
The canal remarks of Mr. Taft vere delivered
with unusual manifestations of aggressiveness
He said:
u,bsf want you 20 do and what want
American citizen to do is 10 stand by, 6y me ne 4 men IN
Don't set a fire in the rear don't distrust those
that giving up their strength ana Congb Wien
you have agents who are doing your . VOTE, yo1 et
stand behind them If don't, You cannon set
yoIIr work done. The men who do your Work ar
entitled 10 your help and confidence eno you ouht
not 10 allow yourselves TO be leo astraS p!
hunconbe speeches the floor OF the HOUSE oi
Renresentatfyes or by headlines In sensational
newspapers and go back on the men that are
doing your work. ,,.,-o.. - 1oo
-ibIicans YOU want the work done, ana When Jne
asrn1v engineers who doing this work are CIV
inc ALI their time to the carrying out or TINS WoIh
VOC, are moi men to go back on them or 70 peueEe
aI,erv idle storv that comes from the Inouth OF
sorns poIitician who is seeking 10 make hlInseit
rrominent or tc give himself the advertisement ol
3 Iffie unfourded. sensational statement
That work is being done honestly. know Wha1 I
I. am tsl liking about. II will be ouit ana al tiie
onnosition that comes merely from desire 70 eA-
alt and exploit the man VINO Aiahe9 Ni''o
snoneibie won't obstruct it -, ,-,., c..aa
know whaE the people of the United states
want in that regard and in so far as nave power 9
&c che Executive Of this country am SoiHs y
-,,ub that work, and I going TO stand oenlno
he men who are doing II. And now genueiilen'
,,ou have gotten into more neat thdI 1 q q
r,ected but I thank you very much tor your wei
come.
7-her. was a cordial leave taking at New orleans
this morning when the Taft party departed;
sIIdeTl La turned out the first crowd to greet tne
r-asident-alect and from that time on ne was
1n,ost constantly on the platform OF the Idih
.,nressing his pleasure at the croWds ana 'AlAle
:. .ba people of their government: ., =. -
I'D Mrs Taft will reach C1ncliEag ~ =,
- morning and will 80 direct 10 the u r Aai'