The Lexington progress. (Lexington, Tenn.) 1884-current, 1920-03-26
R0USING REPUBLICAN
COUNTY CONVENTION

The Republicans of Henderson
county met in mass convention in
Lexington last Saturday for the pur-
pose of electing delegates to the Con-
gressional convention at Jackson APP
ril 9th and the State convention at
Chattanooga, April 14th.
Right on the tap of the bell at
p. m. in the Circuit court room was
filled to overflowing, with standing
room at premium and many having
failed to get in.
The convention was called to order
by County Chairman j. H. Holmes
End Secretary R. A. Lewis, Of the
county Executive committee, read the
call, stating the objects Of the con-
vention.
The first business announced to be
transacted was the election of tenn
porary chairman--which was evil
IDENTIFY the fight Of the occasion. Mr..
T. Edwrads made quite a speech
putting before the body the name of
Mr.. Homer Pendergrass, which NOM
ination was seconded by several, and
Mr.. Ira C. Powers put in nomination
Mr.. W. F. Appleby.
The nomination Of Mr.. Fender
grass was seconded by several of our
best local Republican speakers, as
follows:
Judge T. A. Lancaster went back
to John C. Fremont, founder of the
Republican party, came on to Abra-
ham Lincoln and said that he believed
that in Lincoln God raised up man
for the salvation of the country in a
time of its greatest need. He said
that the great Republican party al
ways rose to meet an emergency,
referred to the world war, etc. etc.
and concluded with an appeal for
Pendergrass who wanted to go into
service Notwithstanding he was de-
clared physically unfit--but before
that he said that while he did not
wish to criticise President Wilson,
the Chief Executive, ID the matter
OF his stand on the peace treaty and
league Of nations was such that If
carried out would result in the COM
plete overthrow of American institu-
tions.
Hon. F. M. Davis made a short
speech in seconding the nomination
of Pendergrass, in which he said he
thought it would be part of wisdom
for the welfore of the Republican
party of the county, for the conven-
tion to make Mr.. Pendegrass its tenn
porary chairman-and said further
the history of the Republican party
was known practically to every
school boy in the land.
Judge w. H. Lancaster, also in be-
half of Pendegrass, went somewhat
into national affairs, said the county
is embarking on a serious time, that
today we are on the breakers, that he
would not detract from Wilson, a
man who has conceived the idea that
he is the whole cheese" the whole
government, the Congress, the whole
power in treaty-making, and that
such action smacks of autocracy;
that it was lucky that the country
had in the Senate such men as Henry
Cabot Lodge, of Massachusetts,. He
referred to Governor Roberts in
about the same manner. Before the
Judge finished he wanted to know if
the convention, the people were going
to give everything to one man, going
to lodge in one man absolute control
of county affairs-all the offices, all
the honors and emoluments, etc. He
spoke of the "hellish gang" which
spread German propogonda-and told
of rumors circulating on the streets
of Lexington, one of which was to the
effect that under certain circumstan-
ces a candidate for Trustee would be
put out in opposition to Appleby. The
former county judge plead for Mr..
Pendegrass and not to give Appleby
everything-said that a bunch from
Sardis circled around the square in
autos, that he thought the Germans
had come-perhaps the judge had in
mind that the Senate again having
defeated the peace treaty, Uncle Sam
was still, technically at war with
Germany.
Judge Appleby then arose, but not
to speak, and was giiven a tremen-
dous ovation-the biggest and most
prolonged noise of the convention.
Young Powers, who first nominated
Appieby, mounted on the table, gave
notice to some things said by Judge
Lancaster and told why such a man
as Judge w. F. Appleby is needed in
this crisis. He begged pardon for the
personal reference, but in the matter
o fthe war overseas he knew whereof