Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1908-08-26
Mr.. Taft Greeted Republicans at
Hot Springs

thousands III virginia kepubll
cans journeyed to the Hot Spring
last Friday to greet Judge William
Howard Taft, Republican nonine
for the Presidency, who made hi
opening campaign speech in tb'
South. Included in the numbe
were several hundred from Rock
bridge. Nearly one hundred left
Lexington at 6 O'Clock on the
special train, The journey was
enlivened by the strains of the
Virginia Military Institute band, a
portion of that organization &C.
companying the Lexington con
tingent on the trip. At all the
towns along the way stirring
music was played, to the enjoy.
ment of the excursionists and
those who gathered at the stations
as well.
The "trip was a tiresome one
from Lexington, and the Hot
Springs were not reached until
nearly one o'clock. Some delays
were necessarily encountered, and
the ascent of the steep grade from
Covington to the Hot Springs re-
quired the use of three engines,
two in front and one in rear, to
move the long train Of twelve
coaches. The crowd estimated on
the train was one thousand. Ar
rived at the destination, the ex.
cursionists were led by the band
to the ball grounds, some distance
from the hotels, where the speak
ing took place.
The crowd of excursionists was
variously estimated from 5000 to
5000. The occasion was the
gathering of Virginia Republicans
to hear the nominee Of that party,
and a great rally had been planned
ty committee, with the purpose
of making Judge Taft's opening
speech in the present campaign
one of Importance, to Virginiaus
and Southerners alike. The largest
attendance was from the Sbenan-
doah Valley. ExcursiOnists were
present from the lower Valley,
from Rockingham, Augusta, High
land, Bath, BotetOurt and Rock
bridge, and from TIE cities of Nor
Norfolk, Richmond, Petersburg,
Lynchburg, Charlottesville and
Stanton. The StOnewall Brigade
band of StauntOn accompanied the
Augusta excursion.
The scene from the platform
upon which Judge Taft stoCd
while making his address was
picturesque. The five thousand
bearers were massed on level ball
field, with many ladies occupying
seats in the grandstands. On three
sides rose the mountains, making
tn. place a green-walled amphi
theatre at the top of the Allegh
any mountains. The day was
ideally cool. Overhead the grfy
sky lowered. Ever and anon stray
clouds threw their ragged edges
against :he mountain sides, leaving
white ribbons of mist that aim st
touched the heads of the men and
women gathered on the mountain
top. The audience WAS composed
of farmers and business men. with
a big sprinkling OF office holders
Postmasters, especially, were in
evidence. And they had their
innings. Colonel Allen, whose in,
huence helped many into office,
stands close to Judge left. Con-
sequently, his friends will be look
ed after, should he be elected.
Judge Taft was escorted to the
speakers stand from his hotel
shortly utter half past two.
Colonel Allen and Mr.. Sierp were
on the committee, as was also Mr..
William Jennings Of Lexington,
chairman of the Tenth District
committee. When the candidate
arrived it was the signal for out
bursts of applause, and the band
played ''Dixie." Mrs. Taft Occu-
pied a seat on the platform.
Representative C.Bascom Slemp
acted as chairman of the meeting,
End opened the exercises with a
spirited address. He said that it
was the first time in the history of
the party that che people of Vir-
ginia had had an opportunity to
meet and greet Oh their own soil
the Republican Presidential can
didate. After paying a glowing
tribute to the people of the old
Commonwealth, Mr.. Slemp as
serted that the best interests of
the State would be conserved by
the election of Judge Taft. Mr..
Slemp presented Col. S. Brown Al
len. United States Marshal for the
Stanton district, who introduced
Judge Taft to the audience.
Colonel Allen declared that Re-
publican sentiment lie steadily
growing within the territory re-
pre- sented by the people who are {
present 10 bid their candidate god
speed, and said that at least TO-
600 ex-Confederate Veterans will /
march, limp aad halt to the polls
or Novembe 3rd to cast their I'M ,
purchased and unpurchasa Gle bal ,
lets for Taft and Sherman. s
n e. i y ] L