The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-04-21
OAR. GREET TAT
lie Tells Them He Expects
no Controversy
PRAISES OBJECTS OF SOCIETY
The President at Opening Session
Paid a Gracious Tribute to wo-
man and Was Given an
Historic Chair.
OBJECTS OF SOCIETY

ises TO be a most eventful convention
OF the congress OF the Daughters OF
the American Revolution opened in
Continental Hall. the handsome home
OF the organization. which has just
been completed.
The presence of President Taft add
ed to the interest of the opening ses-
sion. during which be extended TO the
delegates a warm welcome TO Wash
ington.
Nearly 1000 delegates are in attend
anCe. and their interest in the conven-
tion. which is the nineteenth that has
been held by the congress. is intense.
The congress was called to order by
Mrs. Matthew T Scott. the president
general. amid a scene OF patriotic
color and enthusiasm. President Taft
was heartily greeted by the daughters
as be entered the hall to the strains
of the Star Spanglcd Banner" played
by the United States Marine band.
In Presenting Mr.. Taft to the con.
vention. MIS-. Scott said II had been
rumored that the president Of the
United States was not in favor Of wo.
man suffrage AMI that undoubtedly he
had reached that conclusion as a mat.
ter of principle after a careful consId.
GRAFTON. but be that as Il may. the
Daughters Of the American Revolution
who had been fond OF Mr. Taft. the
man. had fallen in love with Mr.. Taft
the president.
In response to this echo Of the wo
man suffrage convention. the presiden,
paid a gracious tribute to woman. He
confessed that when be came into
Continental Hall he did not expect to
have presented TO him matters OF con
troversy. and said he would address
the association without discussing the
power and plane OF woman. which he
said we all agree Is so high that Il
ought not to be matter OF contro
versy"
He praised the aims Of the society
TO keep constantly before the nation
the persons. the places and the events
whose memory aroused in every true
American heart the love OF country.
Believes In Formalisn1.
The president said that at one time
he was not In favor OF Journalism. but
he realized that forms. in civic life. as
in religion. were necessary. He ap-
proved the clothing OF judges In the
robes Of their Office 20 show that they
were performing a sacred duty for
their country. In like manner the faS
OF the country was 4 symbol OF pa
triotism.
I'VE Of the Anglo-Saxon race" he
continued. are a little disposed 10
fear at times that We may be taken 20
be hypocrites in regard to courtesy
and politeness. We have much 10
learn from the Latin races I'm this re.
spect." he added. Our theory that DO.
likeness and courtesy are only skin
deep. and every word spoken in this
vein must be the absolute truth. is
not borne out by the history OF tho
human race" he said.
Courtesy and good will toward each
other were substantial virtues OF the
races. and II was by form that they
were preserved. II Is 10 such forms as
organizations OF the u. a r. that pa.
trtotism was preserved.
Mrs William Libbey. state regen,
OF New Jersey. presented 10 the presl.
dent as gift TO the nation a chair
made from wood OF the British friKate
Augusta. which was srak in the Della.
ware during the Revolutionary War by
the Continental batterieT AZ Red Bank.
The vessel was recently raised by the
New Jersey Daughters. who are pre-
serving its parts as relics OF the war
for freedom. The president gracefully
accepted the relic and promised 10
carefully preserve It during his term
OF office.