The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-10
FREE SOIL REUNION.
Political "reminiscences Over
CLAIMS and Cider.
THE BUFFALO CONVENTION
Charles Francis Adams on the Birth
OF RepubIicansm.
INK TRIEGRApH TO THE HERALD

lBl TRrEGRArH TO THE HERALD.
DowsEs's LANDING, BosroS HARBon,l
August 8, 1871 !
most remarkable gathering OF tho surviving poll
t,cans of the old rcesotl school assembled al this
charming resort to-day, Indulge exercises COM
orative Of the thirty ninth anniversary of the
organization OF that oldt and dclanct party The
occasion notable in respects than one Tor
not only brought arourd the SOCIAL Two or three
hundred OF connecting links OF the pas, political
history Of the country with that OF tho
present. but II oil those rare reunions
which illustrated most torcibiy tho varied career
incident to tho life OF men VINO minslc prominently in
tho current politics OF the day. II was celebration
which brought Of the leading men OF the past
ana present. Including, 1t did, nearly all the gentle
men now living who conspircd In 1913 for tho over
throw o? the wings and democrats by nominating but
not clecting, Martin Van Burep for President and
Charles FrsEcs Adams Vice President The cole
brssion was got no by Mr. Samuel Downcr who owns a
handsome public garden down tho bay, and who was
himself one Of ''the humble candies CT the land
THERE.
Tho most conspicuous survivor Of the purity present
was Mr. Charles Francis Adams, who very prop
ery selected 10 preside on The occasion, but besides
him there were dozens Of others whose names ia
miliar throughout the land. There was Judge Hoar
Mr.. Grants first Attorney General. and bis brother,
George Frisbic Hoar, OF Massachusetts present
Senators; Ex-Governor Clahn and Frank Bird,
all OF whose names now sound strangely when
mentioned In the same breath with that
OF Mr.. Adams The company numbered nearly
three hundred, and there were scores Of
instances whore political jcalousies as ncrco
ana bitter as those between the statesman OF Quincy
and the statesman Of Concord buried under the
clans and cider provided by Mr. Downer Ezur
Wright was among those the shady side life who
graced the occasion, also William B. Spooner, cx-
Congressman Tuck and George O. Fogg, OF New
Hampshire; james NJ BufIam, Willard 4. Phillips,
Rev DR.. Neae, Adm Thayer and a host OF others re-
nowned in their prime OF lilo thirty years ago, but
now nearly forgotten. OF there was also
present a multitude OF prominent politicians VINO
have reached their majority popularity and usefulness
IN later years, all Of whom had less to say,
formally and informally, about those ancient frccsoil
days. when laid the foundations the principles
and party which aftcrward culminsted In Lincoln's
immortal proclamation OF emancipation.
FRIENDS.
The guests arrived here by special steamer from
Boston at about noon and were net at the landing by
the venerable and smiling Mr.. Downcr Tue greetings
and welcomes we're hearty and touching, for in many
instances there renewals OF acquaintances and
friendships that had been sumbering over quarter
OF century. Judge Hoar, Mr. Bird, Mr. Adams and
frosts OF many winters seemed as playful ana tmid
lot OF juvenile schoolboys u holiday froc and
when the band struck up air OF welcome IL seemed
as they were about to dance with delight at The Joy
which the rcc0econs of twenty nno thirty years
ago afforded lhem Political striies and aniinosties
were indeed at discount. In the general and
congratulations there were many passing tributes paid
10 those who not here Sumner and Wilson, Arson
Burhngamc, stephen Phillips Charles Allen, Daniel W.
Avord, William S. Robinson, Edward l.. keycs, John
A. andrew, John 3. Eldrldge-thesc and more, all of
whom are gone most OF them after distinguished
and abundant honor.
CLANS AND HARD CIDER.
Mr.. .Downer, alter extending welcome at tho wharf,
formed the body procession headed by band
the company marched through hts charm ing grounds
to the banquet hail. and there one Of those delicious
New England clambaKcs haa been prepared There
were enough clans for full rcglinent, but DOUBT
II the ireesoiIers lett any behind. The trip down
the bay had given tnom a craving appetite,
and when the word gwen the CLANS
Disappeared by the bushel. Mr. Adams for once lost
ana, encouraged by his example the rest OF the com
pany fell to with zeal and hcartincss which must
have struck terror to tho hearts of the dusy walters
There was wine, but an abundance OF hurd CIDER
beverage which the guests partook of Judciousiy.
but not sparingly.
MR. DowSER's ADMIRABLE ADDRESS.
After an hour so had been occupied In satisfying
the inner man Mr.. Downer made little speech oil
welcome TO his assembled friends. II bid you most
hearty and iervcnl wclcome,' he said IL feel As
also believe you feel, that those OF u.s. who either
members at the primary meetings. as delegates to the
Buffalo Convention, who early acted with the party
and who remained faithful 10 the movement until 1876,
need no other bond TO make Us welcome in this meet
mission wish to mako few prelim nary remarks,
anu will then yield the chair to whom it Will give
you more pleasure 70 listen to than me; and hero let
observe THIS company invited meet with the
sole object OF INDUCING In pleasant "reminiscences Of
the past Tor know when ireesolers met twenty
years after the formation OF tie party. ut Buffalo,
when we recolect now fervent and united were, II
cannot be othor than cheerful and happy II is In
tended TO be informal, and We anticipate
stirred up the fires OF freedom when it re-
CURED courage and backbone do 50.
living again clasp each others hands IN kindly rccoI
lection OF days to-day arc mot TO call up
tender sympa,nies in memory oil the departed
great, VINO II in Gods providence II Is permitted them
iolook down uponus, We know with here sym
pathy ALSO My friends want TO recall "reminiscences
OF two who were OF note In those times do II
example TO others TO do lkcwisc As stand now I
the god OF my political idolatry An how fervontiy
have listened to his grand constitutional arguments
he spoke for mani When our free soil
party 1rst started we thought he was with us
There are those OF US VINO Know when the late la
mentcd stephen Z. Philips penncd the opening ad
dress, To be delivered at Faucuii Hall-kncw that
Webster revised IT and iaterncd what he thought
more appropriate Alas! alasl they wcre his last
efforts for human freedom We know that evening no
went 70 New York instead of coming down to Faneuil
Nomination to tho Presidency not pledges, but
from his known past records Atcr tho nomina
was TO US, to Van Burcn aud TO Taylor
We know 1t all eliminated In his 7th OF March speech
OF $780, and We know tho South, which hc courtcd
hard, judged poor complimentary vote.
Ny friends II Daniel Webster erred against the record
OF his life and the convictions Of his conscience grew
ousy did he pay tho penalty. Lot W draw the veil
over that portion OF his LIE Oh, that had dod
few years had lived few years longer The
FIRST gun sumter would have Set him right He
my teacher and from him learned the prlncipos of
constitutional liberty. Peace 10 his ashes
Mr Downcr further In his remarks, paid an eloquent
tbutc to tho memory oil hsold personal friend. Horace
Manu. and then IN conclusior said :"l hope that
meeting may DO cheerful aud happy ons and lot Il DO
that after the lapse twenty nine years
frOl Convention