The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-08-28
REPUBLICAN PARTY,

STRONG, Me-, August 19.-On the
7,h Of August, 1854, county conven-
ton was held here which organized in
the name of the republican party,
nominated full county ticket and
adopted a republican platform. It is
claimed by the people of Franklin
county this convention gave birth to
| the republican party of the United
States. The claim is disputed, but
surviving members of the convention
assert it was the first to formally
adopt the name republican and
distInctively republican platform.
They are celebrating the Both anniver-
sary to-day, the date being being post
poned from the 7th to the 10Th, in or
der not to interfere with other cele-
brations.
The town was crowned with people
and decorated with flags, streamers
and banners. On the last was printed
the original platform of the conven-
ton of 1854. A new Blaine and Lo-
gan flag, 40 feet long, was raised, and
procession formed at 1915 to escort
the speakers to grove. Sew
en- grand army posts headed
the procession. Then followed
about 80 political veterans, present as
delegates at the convention 80 years
ago. The exercises were held In Hard
wood Grove. on hillside, where peo-
pie began to gather as early as 8
o'clock
The meeting was called to order at
once. Nelson Dingley, Jr, presided.
He made brief speech, principally
review of the birth and career of the
republican party, closing with eulo-
CYSTIC reference to the party's present
candidates.
Mr.. Blaine, accompanied by Hanni-
bal Hamlin and ex-Gov. ROBBIE, arriv-
ed at o'clock and was received with
cheers.
Gov. Robbie first addressed the meet
ing in brief speech. He caused con-
siderable merriment by calling all in
favor of Blaine for president to raise
their hands. The whole assembly, APP
parently, responded. "And now,"
continued the governor, "all those in
favor of any enc else raise their
hands," One man held up his hand
amid roars of laughter, when the gov
ernor said: "May God have mercy on
his SOUL"
Mr.. Blaine was loudly called for,
and upon coming forward, was re-
ceived with applause. He said: Gel
low citizens, the place and time where
the republican party was first organ
lied, will, presume, remain like the
birthplace of Homer, a subject of I'M
ending dispute. Seven cities claim
the former. 1t could hardly be
doubted that the great thoughts COM
mon to the minds of millions
of men would find expression at
the same time and places widely sep
arated, but | think it is historically
true that the patriotic men who were
in this town of Strong in 1854, were
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 movement
whose grandeur and whose des-
tiny could not then be measured.
Great parties to overcome must
grow great. Parties cannot be i'm
proved or extemporized. They come
from an instinct and the masses OF
the people, and are not the product OF
political labor. Thus it was with the
| federal party, with the old republican
party, with the democratic party, with
the WING party and with the party
whose existence we celebrate to-day.
| [ am here to exchange congratulations
with old neighbors and old friends,
on all that has been accom-
plished to-day; congratulations on
the spirit and courage OF the
party to continue its great work in
the future. Mr.. Blaine's speech was
frequently interrupted by applause
and closed amid great enthusiasm.
| Congressman Burroughs, of Michl-
gan. was the last speaker.