New-York tribune., 1912-02-13
TAFT AT GRADUATES CLUB
More than 100 Institutions Kep'
resented at Dinner.
YALE SONG GREETS HIM
President Moves Audience When
He Refers to Lincoln's Tolera-
tion of His Enemies.

President Taft was received with great
enthusiasm at the eighth annual Lincoln
dinner Of the Graduates Club, held at the
City Club last night. The graduates OF
more than one hundred institutions OF
learning, represented In the club, Joined
in the Yale "Boola" song as the President
entered the banquet hall, shortly before
Ii o'clock. accompanied by his brother,
Henry w. Taft, and his military aid. Major
Butt. The two hundred and fifty diners
stood and gave the President rousing
three cheers. Vernon M. Bowie, president
Of the club, introduced President TAFT, who
said:
I thank you for this cordial reception.
The lungs from which those cheers came
evidently had some practice during your
academic years 1 am told the club num-
bers the graduates Of one hundred institu.
tions. I am sure 1t must number some OF
the most successful men In business ano
professional life in New York. IL must also
number graduates OF some Of the smaller
colleges. / am bound to say that the grad
yates of the smaller colleges have certain
advantages over those or the larger lnstltu,
tiOns. Somehow, they seem TO get started
on the road to success with better adapta-
ton, sometimes. I suppose there Is an
added inspiration to show what greatness
really is. starting from an humber origin
The Presidents sentiment in relation to
the smaller colleges was heartily cheered'
He continued:
was sure that would meet with the ap-
proval OF some Of the graduates. You de-
vote your annual dinner to the memory
and honor Of Abraham Lincoln. who was
not a graduate OF any college, but he united
all those splendid qualities In his nature
character a man can have. He had a de-
termination 10 serve, liberation or all tne
world, a liberation of the assaults or MS
enemies, kindly feeling toward his enc
mics. even in the heat Of battle. His char
acter combined all those great qualitie:
which make you love him with presenl
love. | have no doubt the publications
man who reads about Lincoln is moved e
rise and say something, TO express his ad
miration and love for this great man, Yot
may well elect him as the patron saint ol
your annual dinner, as the greatest Amerl
can.
speaking OF the martyred President, and h
conveyed this feeling to his audience. wh'
| listened most intently
The President left the club with hi'
brother and Major Butt Immediately afte
he finished speaking. He was cheered agair
as he filed through the crowded aisles o.
college graduates in leaving the roof.
William E. Pulsifer. former presiden
| of the Graduates Club, acted as toastmas
ter. Mayor Gaynor was on the list o
speakers but failed 10 appear. He tele
phoued his regrets early In the evening
with the excuse that he had an attack o
grip and his physician advised him to re
| main at home.
The other speakers were Charles Alex
ander Richmond. president Of Union Col
lege: Frederick J. Murphy and John II
Burroughs, president OF the New Yorl
State Society OF the Sons Of the American
Revolution. Bishop Charles Summer Burch
Charles II. Strong. president OF the CIT!
Club and Admiral Corwin p. Rees ais
| sat at the speakers table.