Helena weekly herald., 1882-09-28
yOTJNG MEMS REPUBLICAN CLUB,
Organization Effected Saturday Night With
James B. Wells President.
A Large and Enthusiastic Meeting On
Hundred Young Republicans
Present.
speeches by Hon. A. G. BOtkin, J. B.
Wells and j. Salhinger.

In pursuance of a call published in the
HERALD of Friday last, meeting was held
Saturday evening at o'clock in Harmonic
Hall, for the purpose of organizing a Young
Mems Republican Club, and the number of
Young gentlemen present showed with what
4 hearty response it met, and guaranteed the
success of the organization. The opinion OF
the necessity of such a club was evidently
unanimous and needed no one to urge the
matter upon the young men there assembled
70 the number of eighty or more. Mr.. Mey-
endorff called the assembly to order, and af-
fer briefly stating the object Of the meeting,
nominated as President of the Young Mems
Republican Club of Helena, Mr.. James B.
Wells. The motion was seconded, and when
put was carried by acclamation, and Mr..
Wells was called to the chair. The gentle
man. on assuming his duties, addressed the
meeting in substance as follows:
Gentlemen of the Young MEMS Republican
(Tub:-
am unable at this time to find words
which will sufficiently express to you the
gratitude and feelings of pleasure l derive at
the instance ofyour choice OF myself for your
President.
No proposal during the few years | have
been resident of Helena, has received hear
tier response than the suggestion to organize
here a political club to advance and strength
en- and uphold Republican principles. Hence
il NAV appear almost supertiuous IN the face
of such unanimity of sentiment Tor one TO
tax your time in toreshadowing toyou Its pur-
pose or in enlarging in any degree upon the
advantages likely to accrue from its organl-
zation. Applause.
Lest. however, in the hurry OF Organlza-
tion. some omission has been made, to dehne
its object, let me beg your patience lew
moments, while in the best manner L may l
rive voice to the sentiment that prompted
the original move for this club, and which
in time will, trust, animate all in the first
place with wish to do the best In our
power to promote its interests.
We earnestly desire the continued aScen-
dancy of the Republican party; we believe
that it better represents the best elements
of the Republic 1t is still the party OF
emancipation, Union, equal rights, honest
money, free vote and fair count. Ap-
plause. Whatever elsewhere it may con-
tain antagonistic to these principles Is rap
idlv finding its way into the ranks OF an op-
position party. We believe that like man
in the strength and prime OF his manhood 1t
has still the force and vitality to rid itself OF
elements poisonous to its life, and which we
regret to saw. in some instances, has brought
disgrace upon its fair name.
1t might be a question, gentlemen, OF lit
tie moment to us if. granting all this to be
true, we ourselves, far removed from centers
of political thought and activity, had little
of interest either preselt or future to acquire
in any change from one party to the other. "A
sentiment of patriotism might animate the
Young voters yet to hold allegiance, but self
interest prompts still further. The welfare
of the Territory we live in, the government
of the State of which we soon are to become
citizens. the community we call our
home, all are matters of deep interest to us.
Soon the questions which excite the atten-
ton of our countrymen elsewhere Will nave
to be met by u.s. Soon the burden borne
by others will have to be assumed.
Being then Republicans, having at heart
the continued ascendancy OF Republl-
can principles, how best can we promote the
end we aim at? 1t is trite and familiar
saying, though none the less true, that con-
tlict between political parties is analogous to
contest between armed forces when the
courage and number of one cOmbatant does
not always suffice for victory when opposed
to the skillful commander, the organized
and disciplined body of its adversary. What
ever men have to do in common they can
better accomplish as united body than
with forces separated and disjOinted. Ap-
plause) Upon this principle. then, it is
sought to make our several strength COM
pact body for attack.
After the address of the President, the de-
livery of which was frequently interrupted
by hearty applause, Mr.. R. B. Harrison was
then placed in nomination for Vice President
of the club and unanimously elected. When
called upon for a speech Mr.. Harrison ex-
cused himself on the ground that the busi-
ness before the meeting should be transacted
as speedily as possible and he would there
fore merely state that the objects for which
the club was organized should receive his
most hearty support and cooperation. Mr..
Frank L. Sizer and A. J. Seligman were next
elected recording and corresponding secreta-
rieS of the organization.
Mr.. J. Salhinger was made Treasurer OF
the club, and when called upon for speech
responded with forcible and incisive ad-
dress which elected great applause after al
most every sentence. In matter 1t was
about as follows:
IT., l,,,J reotIelnpn
am hardly prepared to make you an eX-
tended or lengthy speech, nor DO thlnk the
occasion requires a waste OF verblage, Dut
rather prompt, straightforward and energeuc
action is the crying need of the hour. But
at this. the outset of our career, the starting
point of our organization, it is well that we
clearly and definitely the mo-
tives on which we act, the course we are
about to pursue, and then with the con-
that we are right, let us, ike our
old friend Davy Crockett, 80 ahead! lap
plause
The young men of the country are slowly
but surely awakening 10 q realization OF the
fact that in them lies power Tor gooo OF
evil, moral, social or political, when no
amount of moss-covered conservatism or
dyed-in- -the-wool obstruction can oppose In
them lie the strength and vigor, physlcai ana
which moves the world on IN us
steady progress past the milestones ana iahd-
marks that have become traditional ana ven
Grated simply because they are old and some