The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03
TAFT PROMISES TO
VISIT BIRMINGHAM
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ~

for your human qualities. for we under
stand that your sympathies are broad as
the universe, but because you have come
here, sir, indicating to us that you want
the south once again to hold her place
in the councils of the nation. / want
to say to you that you will find no more
fertile field for the planting of your seeds
of patriotism, independence of thought,
independence of political action-you will
find no more fertile field in America than
among the representative men of the city
of Birmingham, Alabama.
while we are a new town, not 40 years
old, yet having for more than ten years
made the price of pig iron for the civil
lied world, and seized the sceptre of steel
from Pittsburg, still. we are old enough
to know how to dispense a genuine and
cordial hospitality to a good man any
day or night. We really feel that you
could do a great work along the lines you
have indicated, more at Birmingham pos
sibly, than any other point in the coun-
try.
Good Results Promised.
1--WE all want you, but the thing of all
things we want you to see is not only our
remarkable city, In the height Of its build
ings, in the vastness of it's industries, in
the loving service we would like to do
you, and Mrs. Taft, but that you may
come there and-though democrat and
a lifelong democrat, ] am willing to say
it-help us strike off our hands the
shackles of an ignorant political system,
which does not do the most to develop
our resources, or to prosper and safe
guard our happiness. We promise you Il
good time, but we promise you more than
that-real genuine, tangible results for
the greatness and the glory Of this coun-
try.
Il wish to say to you that the best men
of the south, regardless of politics, look
forward to your administration, because
you, In our judgment. are the fittest man
in all our history who has not served
in the executive office-that you are the
fittest man that was ever called to this
high honor. I wish to say to you that
you have the reverent and earnest prayers
OF our people for success in the admins
tration of your high office"
Judge Taft's Reply.
In replying, Mr.. Taft said:
Gentlemen the first thought that comes
to me after hearing what / am quite free
to admit is very sweet music to me. is
a sort of trembling fear that after four
years, such a meeting as this and such
expressions of good will may be impos-
sible-that I shall be. like the man who
went into office with a majority and went
cut with unanimity. l think the scrip
ture says something about waiting to
boast until after you take the armor off
rather than when you are putting 1t on.
"Of course, am deeply touched by the
very eloquent words that have been ad-
dressed to me by General Rhodes, as an
evidence of there being in the south today
among the influential men, an earnest
hope, not that the south is to take an
other political complexion, but that 1t is
to become a place where politics are as
they are in the rest of the country-a sub
ject of uncertainty; a subject for discus
sion; a subject for independence of ac-
ton.
I'm reference to the visit to Birming-
ham, of course I shall visit your city.
II it be possible for me, I shall go there
on my return from Panama This is very
uncertain, however, because it is uncer-
tain how long / shall have to stay. there,
and | have certain fixed engagements in
the north and at my own home in Cincin-
natl which may prevent. If l can stop on
my way from Panama, I'll advise you by
cable from Panama.
Importance of Birmingham.
But in any event l am coming to the
south early in my administration, and
coming to the important cities Of the
south Birmingham In many respects, es-
pecially In the respects that General
Rhodes has referred to, is one of the most
important cities of the south. because 1t