National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-11-12
MR.. cLApP,s SPEECH.
MS Remarks ON Accepting the Presidency
M The rnnfrnl 6,nrnni liiee.

HIS Remarks ON Accepting the Fresi@enes
OF the central Committee.
Mr.. A. M. Clapp made the following re-
marks ut the meeting Of rhe Republican Central
Committee ofthe District Of Columbia Friday even
ing
GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMITTEE; Some weeks
since committee Of the Republican Central COM
mittee of the District Of Columbia called at my
residence and verbally informed me that had
been honored by an election 70 the PRESIDENCY OF
journed. While this honor had been conferred
without my solicitation and really egeln s ny my
own Judgment Of what was wsesL anu n Uess bad S
a controlling influence upon my determination
ana assured your committee that i would &C.
cept the position In the spirit in which II had
been rendered. And now, gentlemen, desire 10
reiterate that acceptance to the Republican Cen.
tral Committee as body, with the assurance that
appreciate the honor, and will
SERVE YOU As FAITHFULLY,
as wisely, and as well as my abilities will enable
me 70 do, and with thanks for this mark Of your
confidence and respect desire here TO say that
invoke your most generous indulgence, patience,
and forbearance in aid Of my efforts TO discharge
the duties you have, In your Partially, imposed
upon me- With these aids ! cannot i ally, 70 sue,
ofsuccess. Let us, therefore, in this new depart
ure, mutually pledge ourselves TO each other that
we VIII mage this committee an auxiliary IN me ,
Nation by sustaining its principles and advancing
its interests in every possible manner consistent
WIFI our relations tncrCtOi ana, iurtneTi leJ US
make this committee an honor to the Capital city
ofthe Nation. Let us, by the
DECoRuM AND PATRIOTISM
of our action commend II to the respect and conf
denCe OF our fellow citizens at home and 10 the
country at large as widely rs we are known. We
represent party Of principle, of law, and o.
order and let us upon all occasions and under all
circumstances, prove ourselves worthy OF the party
whose principles arc ourprinciples and whose des-
tiny II is to conserve and perpetuate the Republic
in an unbroken union. If we fail in this we shall
fap ghAr .Af hat Df
which isto be coveted and which 1t should be the
pride of every American citizen to win and wear.
Ana mere, gentlemen OF inc commt,eei snanow
lions that am entering upon duties so recently
performed by one who had ombalmed himself In
your respect and affections, brings with 1t sense
PROFOUND SADNESS.
William b. Reed my predecessor in this chair,
was true Republican, good citizen, q genial
hence, and the places that have known him so
pleasantly heretofore will know him no more for:
ever. His genial presence, his wise connsels, and
his patriotic example, are no longer with us-savc
in memory--and let US cherish them there so long
as life shall be vouchsafed 70 us. But to return TO
the work we have In hand. II may be profitable
to us to take brief survey Of the political estate
we claim as our inheritance as Republicans Of the
District of Columbia. 1t Is diminutlve In import
ance, and under Its present aspects, barren OF
fruits of material value. There Is little incentive
to labor for there Is very small hope Of harvest.
The only signet of citizenship we now wear, Is the
iIbHtL ohSc III iOuI SchIst W usSSmuiS IA NuuSuSi
vote for
DELEGATES TO DISTRICT CONVENTION,
whose privilege It Is, under the courtesy of the
Republican National Committee to appoint two
delegates and their ultern1tes TO the National Re-
publican Convention. So far we are recognized
rs citizens, nothing better meets the eye
tocheer the hope and encourage the heart to polit-
icNl action than taxation without representation
direct, open and hagrant violation of the funda-
| mental principles Of republican form of govern
| ment. We claim TO be citizens, and yet we are
/ III had Of An
OF titlo-the right Of suilfnge-the dearest right oil
| an American freeman. We enjoy no proper re-
cogniuon of our rights as citizens by our
Government; under which we live. We rate po-
lltically as scris, parahs and nonentities, and IN
TINS population yerglng rapidly toward 2Do w..
| American flag on American soil arc treated, be
| they white or black, native or foreign born
| Though we are
| DEREFT or THE RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE,
| the right of petition remains undisturbed, ant
| while we are substantially reduced TO n state o.
political nonenity, II would seem TO be duty tina
cannot be evaded by, this committee without al
abcct surrender of all our rights to appeal TO Con
gress without ceasing until II shall recognize on
right to be represented in the House OF Representa-
| tives by delegate elected through the votes o
the people of the District of Columbia. This is tn,
least that we can ask in view OF our inherent anC
inalienable rights as citizens of the United States
and
TO DENY US THIS RIGHT
is an act which cannot be justified under thu
| theory of n republican form of government
Wherever duty points there this committee SHOULD
go, regardless all opposition and hindrance tina
| may be thrown in our way by an unjust, ungen
| crois and prejudced spirit, come 1t from where 1
may. In conclusion, | desire once more 4
thank you for the expression of confidence
which has been extended to me through my Sc
| lection to preside over your deliberations. Will
dischargng duties here let us, under all crcum
stances, preserve that standard of self respec
which will challenge the respect of our fellow
| citizens, trusting that IL We shall, by our sens
lnIt riaiNv ntir rag ~
seryance OF the amenities that are observed anon
gentlemen in political and social relation, shoN
that we worthy of all the rights and privilege
that attach TO the American citizen, unywher
| ,vI,h In bo INIT al 10