The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1884-08-20
POLITICAL POINTERS.
A BIG BOOM FOR Mr.. BLAINE
Under the Guise of the Republican Party
niversary-Greenback and Pro-
hibitiOn Conventions - Gen
eral Political Notes.
Republican Celebration.

STRONG, Me-, Aug. 19.-On the 7th of
August, 1854, county convention was
held here, which adjourned in the name
of the Republican party. 1t nominated
a full county ticket and adopted Re-
publican platform. 1t is claimed by the
people of Franklin county that this con-
yention gave birth to the Republican
party of the United States. The claim
is disputed, but surviving members of
the convention assert that it was the
first to formally adopt the name "Re-
publican" and distinctively Republi-
can platform. They are to-day celebrat-
ing the Both anniversary. The date was
postponed from the 7th to the 10Th in
order not TO interfere with other cele-
brations. The town is crowded with
people and decorated with flags, stream
ers and banners. ON the last is printed
the original platform of the convention
of 1851. A new Blaine and Logan flag,
forty feet long, was raised. A procession
was formed at l2:l5 to escort the speak
ers to the grove. Seven Grand Army
posts headed the procession. Then fol
lowed about fifty political veterans, who
were present as delegates at the conven-
ton thirty years ago. The exercises
We're held in the Hardwood grove, on
the hillside, whore the people began to
gather as early as s O'clock. The meet
ing was called TO order at once. Nelson
Dingley, ir, presided. He made brief
speech, principally review Of the birth
and career Of the Republican party,
closing with eulogistic references to the
party's present candidates.
Mr.. Blaine, accompanied by Hannibal
Hamlin and eX-Gov. Robbie, arrived ut
O'Clock and was received with cheers.
Gov. Robbie first addressed the meeting
in brief speech. He caused consider
able merriment, by calling all in favor
Of Blaine for President, to raise their
hands. The whole assembly apparently
responded. "And now" continued the
Governor, "all those in favor Of any one
else, raise their hands, One man held
up his hand amid roars of laughter.
when the Governor said: "May God
have mercy on his soulw Blaine was
loudly called for, and upon coming
forward was received with applause.
He said:
"FELLow CITIZENS: The place and
time where the Republican party was
first organized will, | presume, remain
like the birthplace of Homer-a subject
of intending dispute. Seven cities
claimed the latter, and seven States
may clam tne former. 1T could
hardly be doubted that great
thought, common to the minds of mil
lions. seven men would find expression
at the same time and at places widely
separated. 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 Re
publican party. The men OF
that day builded better than
they knew, and initiated a movement
whose grandeur and whose destiny
could not then be measured. Great par
ties never come by whereas. They
grow great. Parties cannot be improved
or eXtemporized. They come from
an instinct and the masses of the people
are not the product of political laborS
Thus 1t was with the Federal party, with
the old Republican party
with the Democratic party
with the Wing party, and with that great
| party whose existence we celebrate to-
| day. | am here to exchange cOngratu
lntiOns with old neghbors and ole
friends on all that has been accomplished
to-day congratulations on the spiri
aud courage of the party to continue it,
| great work in the future"
| Mr.. Blaine's speech was frequently i'm
! terrupted by applause and closed annie
great enthusiasm.
| Congressman Burroughs, of Mich
| gan, was the last speaker.