The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-20
A Procession Composed Of Army and Political
Veterans, and Thousands of Citizens
Join in the Festivities.
Mr.. Blaine and His Party Received with
the Greatest Enthusiasm.
He COngratulates the People on the Occasion
The Story Of the First Convention, and
the Platform Adopted by 1t.
THE NATAL DAY.
The Celebration of the Thirtieth Anniver
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The Celebration of the Thirtieth Anniver-
sary OF the Republican Party.
STRONG Me-, Aug l9.-On August Z, 1854,
county convention was held here which organ
lied in the name of the Republican party, nom
mated full county ticket, and adopted Re
publican platform. It is claimed by the people
OF franklin county that this convention gave
birth to the Republican party of the United
States This claim is disputed, but surviving
members of the convention assert that it was the
first to formally adopt the name Republican
and distinctive Republican platform They
are celebrating the thirtieth anniversary to-day
The date was postponed from the 7th to the 10th
in order not to interfere with other celebrations
The town was crowded with people and decorated
with flags, streamers and banners On the last is
printed the original platform of the convention
OF 1854 new Blaine and Logan flag, forty feet
long was raised. The procession formed at
l2l5 to escort the speakers to the grove. Seven
Grand Army posts headed the procession then
followed about fifty opolitcal veterans present as
delegates to the convention of thirty years ago.
The exercises were held in a hardwood grove
on the hillside, where the people began to gather
as early as o'clock The meeting was called to
order at once. Nelson DingIey, ir., presided. He
made a brief speech, principally in review of
the birth and career of the Republican party,
closing with eulogistic reference to the party's
present candidates
Mr Blaine, accompanied by Hannibal Hamlin
and ez Governor Robie, arrived at 2 o'clock. and
was received with enthusiastic cheers. Governor
Robie first addressed the meeting in brief
speech. He caused considerable merriment by
calling on all in favor of Blaine for President.t
raise their hands The whole assembly, appar-
emily, responded. And now,n continued tn 9
Governor, "all those in favor of any one else
raise their hands" One man held up his hand,
amid roars of laughter, whereupon the Governor
exclaimed: May God have marcy on his soullu
Mr, Blaine was loudly called for. and, upon
coming forward, was received with wild applause
He said:
'Fellowcitizens: The place and time where
the Republican party was first organized will
presume remain. like the birth place of Homer.
a subject Of unending dispute Seven cities
claimed the latter, and seven States may claim
the former. 1t would hardly be doubted that a
great thought, common to the minds of a mill
ion of men, would find expression at the same
time, at places widely separated; but think it
is historically true that the patriotic men who
the pioneers of the great movement which
resulted in the organization of the Republican
party The men of that day builded better
than they knew, and initiated a movement
whose granduer and whose destiny could not
then be measured. Great parties never come
by whereas and resolution: they grow Great
parties cannot be improved or extemporized:
they come from an instinct and the masses Of
the people. and are not the product of political
la5ors. Thus it was with the Federal party.
with the old Republican party with
the Democratic marty with the
Wing party, and with that great party whose ex-
istenee we celebrate to-day lam here to exchange
with old neighbors and old friends
congratulations on all that has been accom-
plished to-day, congratulations on the spirit and
courage of the party to continue its great works
in the future.
Mr. Blaine's speech was frequently interrupted
by applause, and he closed amidst great enthu-
siasm. Congressman Burroughs, of Michigan,
was the last speaker.