Democratic Sentinel, Volume 4, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 February 1880 — A Wonderful Tree. [ARTICLE]

A Wonderful Tree.

There is a wonderful oak tree on the west side of Fall creek, in the Phillips graveyard, near Carthage, N. C. This tree died and remained dead for several years, all the limbs and twigs failing off, leaving nothing but the body of the tree standing. A man named Grrandy Teague in that section died and was buried at the base of the tree, after which the tree came to life, flourished and is three feet in diameter at the base, having as fine limb# and boughs as on* could wish to »e*.

The Logansport Pliar. s makes a grand mistake when it designates Mr. Thompson as a “backwoods statesman," as he is the equal in ability and and intelligence of Calkins, Packard, or any radical competititor named against him this year, but theD he is in a deuco of a mix fora “war record.” RADICAL MASS CONVENTION ■ | [ Notwithstanding the fact that the Republican Mass Convention which assembled at the Court. House on Saturday last was extensively advertised> and an unusually vigorous effort made by the fellows wdio run the machine to secure a large representatien, and givo the “grand old party” a boom, but about 150 persons were in attendance, all told. Three townships were not represented at all, and a number of them but by one or two persons. Scarcely any enthusiasm was maifested, and it is not strange that such was the case, as there is still enough de coney left in the Republican party to conduct a funeral with propriety, especially when that party furnishes the corpse.

The convention was made up of about fifty Democrats and Nationals, who dropped in to see how the “old thing wonted,” twenty-five or thirty boys who, understanding that a re publican convention was equal to a menagerie and circus, were on hand to look at the animals, and witness the ring-masters make them perform, which they did, as they always have done, In a most admirable manner.

Bro. James, P. M , member of State Cen. Com., chairman Rep. Co. Corn., and See’y of State—in his eye—in pursuance of the Civil Service ordei of Fraud Hayes, called theconvention to order, and to more fully demonstrate his respect for the civil service system of the Frau i made a short, speech, in which he admitted that the party had possibly but barely 25 majority in the county. This statement was in marked contrast with one made by him two yeas ago when, in a speech accepting the chairmanship of the County Cen. Com lie boastingly declared that the republicans would sweep the county by six hundred majority. It will be remembered that they did no such thing, and since then' people are prone to believe that he is not gifted with the spirit of prouhecy. At this stage of tho proceedings John Querry, who it i» said has one eye on the county treasuryship, was elected chairman, and made a speech which was commendable only for its brevity. Capt. John M. Wasson, who iuts both eyes on tiie exchequer of the county was elected secretary, and took his sort along side his venerable competitor from Gillum.

It is supposed that some of the patriots who were manipulating the convention were not satisfied with it as organized, and therefore tiie member of the Stato Cen. Com, instructed it to appoint a committee of one from each township to select officers to preside over it. This being accomplished, partially, the convention took a recess for dinner and drinks.

Upon the reassembling of the convention the committee reported the selection of H. W. Snyder, lawyer, President; I. P>. Washburn, doctor, Secrotary, and John E. Alter, merchant, asssistant secretary. The report being concurred in by the convention the “little giant” assumed the duties of president, and when he had linished his speech, Genei al Thompson, the battle-scarred veteran who is still bleeding—the people—rushed to the front and presented the president with a little book containing a programme of exercises, and the General then retreated as gracefully as he did from Camp Chase in 18(51, when lie woke up with a bad cold. The president, having written in Btruetions how to proceed announced that, the selection of a Central Com. was the first business in order, whereupon two pet sons from each township were selected to serve as such committee. Henry I. Adams was elected chairman, and M- O. Cissel, Secretary. It is expected that this committee will fill out at once the circular issued by Marshal Dudley, and perform such other duties as the “ring masters” mav direct, and as a reward foi their services each member of the committee is promised the Sheriff’s office.

The brethren of the several townships were, on motion of Hayes’ post, master, instructed to meet on the 27th proximo and organize township committees, and nominate candidates for township officers. This motion was carried unanimously, but would not have been had the candidates for trustee and assessor of the various townships present been prohibited from voting.

Capt. Frank W. Babcock moved that the nomination of candidates for county officers be by primary election. The p. m. offered an amendment that caucuses be held iu the several townships, delegates selected to a county convention, and they instructed for whom to vote. Considerable discussion followed, Capt. Babcock—who afterwards got hurt,— R. 8. Dwiggins, 11. E James. Dr. Washburn and Charley Clifton all taking a lmnd, but none of them playing a trump. In order that quiet be restored, and that alljcandidates present might have a chance to electioneer each other for the office of Sheriff and Treasurer, all the business mapped out in the programme was laid on the table, save that of electing delegates to the State, and District conventions. One delegate fi om each

town and township in the county was selected to attend these conventions, except the township of Carpenter

Which tons not given a delegate to the ! State fconventioif. tVhy? The delegates were not instructed to vote for j an£ particular person, but it is expect- j sd that the delegates to the CoDgre3- j sionnl convention will read the Bit- ' ter war history of General Thompson j between now and the 25th inst., so j that they can give the voters of the j 10th Congressional district the exact number of (codfish) balls that pierced his manly breast during the late un pleasantness. Jared Benjamin introduced a resolution indorsing the administration of Frank W. Babcock as Prosecuting Attorney, and recommending his reelection. When the vote in support of the resolution was called profound silence prevailed, every person in the house being as dumb us an oyster.