The Washington herald., 1913-03-02
NO PUBLIC Life
FOR PRESIDENT
M. Taft Tells Knights Of
Columbus He Has Quit
Forever.
DINNER Is FAREWELL
Remarkable Demonstration Gives The
Chief Executive BY 1000
Members Of Order.
DINNER IS FAREWELL

What unuOuDte0ly was one Oh the most
enthusiastic reception ever accorded a
President OF the United States by any
fraternal organization was extended
President Taft last night at farewell
reception given by the Knights Of CO.
lumbus In his honor, held in their hall,
Sixth and f Streets Northwest.
The appearance of President Taft In
the hall was the signal for an outburst
of tumultous cheering. which completely
drowned the strains of America" being
played by a band In the balcony. and
which continued unabated for five min
utes. President Taft was visibty affected
by the demonstration.
For fully five minutes the President
was kept standing amid the cheering.
which could be heard for blocks and.
when at last his voice could be heard,
his simple expression of gratitude, I
thank you," was the signal for another
deafening outburst Of applause.
President Taft put into his address
much OF the strong feeling. and pointed
darts aimed at the agitators Of the ell
logical unrest that grows out of mental
Indigestion" which swept the country last
year. characteristic of his last campaign
speeches and unveiling an unknown side
of the Presidents character. President
Taft dwelt particularly upon the Consti-
tuition, and defended his administration
upon these grounds. Several times dur
ing his speech the thousand or more
members of the order who filled the hall
to its utmost capacity rose to their feet
and cheered wildly.
Leaves Public Life Forever.
The Presidents farewell was character
istic. He declared that he was leaving
public life forever. and intended becom-
ing a part Of the common people and
concern himself with the solution Of the
problems of their life. His parting words
were: "Good-by, good luck, and remem-
ber that when / am one Of the crowd
look back upon the honor you have be-
slowed upon me In inviting me here to
night and will always cherish its men,
ory."
The President talked OF the Constitu-
ton. He dwelt upon the safeguards Of
the peoples rights. which form its great
est bulwark. and reiterated the pleas
made by him during the campaign for
an independent judiciary. He declared
that the day of miracle is past. and de-
plored the ability of demasogues to sway
the peoples reason and cause them to
believe that the poor could be made
richer in a week and the rich poorer in
week" IF believing that II is better to
do a little each day toward helping your
countrymen is reactionary. am reac-
tionary. do not crave an election every
morning for breakfast 365 days in the
year and do not believe II the proper
way to bring about desired results"
E. l.. Tucker. chairman of the reception
escorted President Taft to the
rostrum. where Frank L. Hewitt, acting
grand commander of Potomac Council,
under whose auspices the reception was
given. and Edward p. Harrington. State
NJ tho EpiUhtS pf Cnlnnbns of
the District. were waiting to receive him.
Members of the Alhambra, the highest
degree of the order. formed the honorary
escort and occupied seats Immediately In
front OF the platform.
Acting Grand Commander Hewitt, who
to President Taft a welcome on
behalf of Potomac Council. was intro
duced by E. l. Tucker, chairman of the
reception committee. Mr.. Hewitt, in
turn, presented State Deputy Harrington.
who spoke in behalf of the entire mem-
of the order in the District. Mr..
Harrington paid a glowing tribute to
President Taft, and testified to the re-
gard and affection in which the President
was held by the order
''As members of an organization" said
Mr.. Harrington, now numbering over
3Oo.0O0 men, founded thirty years ago in
the beautiful and classic city of New
haven. soon ueStineO 10 De nOnOTe0 as
the scene of your future labors, we are
here assembled to honor and to welcome
you. We desire to testify our regard,
respect and affection for you for the rea-
son that during your term of office you
have most faithfully and acceptably per-
formed the duties Of your exalted sta
ton with equal and even justice to all of
the citizens of this republic. We also
wish to show our appreciation Of the fact
that as a man you have exemplified in
your life. all those noble virtues and
qualities of mind and of heart which
have endeared to you to all fair-minded
and right-thinking men of all races and
creeds who love virtue and justice and
right living.
Autographs Picture.
At the conclusion OF his address, Pres
ident Taft affixed his autograph to a
large steel engraving of himself. which
will be framed and hung in the hall 1t
bore the inscription: For the Knights
Of Columbus of Washington. with heart
felt gratitude for their cordial farewell
on March ], 1913, william II. Taft
The gold pen used by President Taft
in autographing the picture will become
one of the cherished treasures of Poto-
mac Council. 1t was engraved: Pen
rNJV nA~@EH