The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1884-08-20
Thirty YEA. xs Aoo.
Celebration OF the First ncpc cbiicsn
------- - Convent Oh La a nj ne NJ ~ -----

| s's.sNAss W. NsUts
STRONG. MH, Auguut 10. = On the 7.h ,
August, 1854, a county convention WI
held here which orSapixsd in tho nam
Of the Republican party, nominated a .u
county ticket and adopted tho Republlca
platform. II is, claimed by the people c
franklin county that this convention cav
birth to the Republican party Of tho Uni
ted STATES. The claim Is disputed, but ,h
surviving members Of the convention as
scrt that 1t vac the frs. to formally sdop
the name "Republicsn" and a distinctive
ly Republican platform. They arc cele
bra!ing the thirt;eth anniversary 10 day
The date was postponed from the 7th L
the l0:h in order not to interfere with
other celebrations. NA s1aH7
Tho town was crowded with psopls and
decorated with lsgs. strear,e,s mud ban
ners: On the laat is printed the oripipsI
platform Of the convention Of 1854. A new
Blaine and Logan l,g, forty feet long. was
raised. The procession formed at l2;l5 10
escort the speakers 10 grove. Ssyen Grand
Army Posts headed the procetsiop. Thsn
followed about fifty political veteranp, pres.
ens as delegates at the convention thirty
years ago. The exercises were held In
Hardwood grove, on the hills, where tho
people began 10 gather IS early az s O'clock.
Tho meeting WIS called 10 order zst once,
Nelson Dlngsey, Jf, presided. Ho made
a oriel speech, principally review OF this
birth and career Of the Republican parry,
closing with eulog'st reference 10 the
partys present candidates. .}=s6g., -
MIR. Blaine, accomplished by Hsnnihnl
Hamlin and Ex-Governor Robie. arrived q,
2 o'clock and Was received with .n,lns;as'
tic cheers. Governor Robie first addr. 81
ed the meeting ina brisi speech He caused
considerable merrlment by calling lor ali
IN favor OF Blaine for President to raise
their hands. The wAols assent bly uppsr.
emily responded. "And now" continued
the Governor, "sll thoae in favor eI gnv
one else raise their bands." Ono man
held up bis hand amid roars Of laughter.
Whereppon the Governor exclaimed amsy
God have mercy on bis SOUL" -
s' & DLAINEs SPEECH. $50 J
4 MIR. B!sine was loudly called for and
upon coming forward was received with
wild applause. He eaid: z d.
"FELLow ClrizSNs: :-The place and fine
when tue Republican party vas frs: or.
san.zed will, | presume, remein like ths
birth.placs of Homer, the subiac: of nm.
ending dispute. Ssven cities claimed the
after, and eeven States may claim ,hs
'ormer. It could hardly be doubted that
ne great thought common 70 the minds OF
million Of men would find expression at
he came time and placee widely ee separated,
'ut think 1t 70 historically irue that the
nen who met in this town OF Strong in
leo4 were the pioneers Of the great uoye.
nent which resul,ed IN the Organization
u tho Republican party. The men
II that day builded better than thnv
know, and initiated movement yho,s
srandeur snd whcss destiny could no:
hen bs measured. Great parties nev.r
.nme by wheresa and rule, they grow.
'Artiss cannot be improyised or ex,em.
,orizsd, they come from IN instinct nnd
he msssss OF the people, and arc not the
product o! political labors. Thus /, wss
With the Federal party, with the old RI.
publican party, with the Democratic Dsr,y.
With the Wing party and with that great
party whose existence We celebrate TO d.y.
em here to exchange congratulations
With old neighbo.s and old friends, corr
,ratulations on all that hss besu accom-.
piished to-day, gratulations on the
spirit and courage oi the party to continue
ts great works in the future. -,