The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-02-23
MICHIGAN REPUBLICANS.
MEETING OF THE STATE CLUB
AT DETROIT.
Distinguished Guests Present Sen.
atOr ETarts's Speech on the
Future Of the Party.

Michigan Club, a Republican organi-
1atlon having its membership through
out this State, held its first anniver-
sary tonight in the shape of ban
quet, in the Princess Rink, in this
city. The rink had been tastefully
decorated with bunting, and plates
were laid for l000persons. Above the
chairman's head was a picture of
Washington mounted on large Ameri-
can flags. On the ceiling were the
initials Of the Governors of the Terri
tory and State of Michigan. Around
the walls were flags of many nations
and banner representing each State
and Territory of the Union.
SENATOR PALMER,
the presiding officer, sat in the center
of raised table at the end of the hall.
On his right were Senator Evarts,
Senator Conger, Senator Sanderson,
ex-Representative Horr, and other
Michigan men. On his left sat SEN
ator Logan, Gov. Alger, Gov Foraker,
ex-&ov. Jerome, Congressman Guen-
ther and others. At o'clock the
banqueters took their seats.
At 8 o'clock Senator Palmer called
the audience to order. Vocal music
was furnished by the Arion Quartette
OF this city, in addition to band music.
In his Introductory remarks Senator
Palmer explained the object of the
club, saying that Washington, ii alive,
would probably be present He said,
1t il composed of those who believe
that the Republican party still has
work to do, terming it properly "the
party of good and of morality" Or
ganized and systematic effort must
supplement the past enthusiasm of
the party. He believed the last party
defeat was because the party did not
emphasize the moral issues. II is
necessary to have more than the
tariff labor question, or money.
New and inspiring principles are
needed. The great army of wage
workers must be heard and their de-
mands regarded. Their elevation
should Ne helped. He called the Demo.
cratic party a party of negations,
having no principles" He introduced
Gov. r. A. Alger, who, in a brief adj
dress, welcomed the distinguished
guests OF the evening, the mention of
each name calling for hearty applause.
THE HON. WIN, ". EvARTs
OF New York responded to the toast,
Washington, the Nationalist; the
Federal Union the contamination of
his work" When the storm of APP
plause subsidized Mr.. Evarts returned |
thanks for his reception and for being
included in the number of those in |
vited to participate in the exercises of |
the anniversary. The club, founded |
since the last national defeat, means |
unaYailing regret but determination
to make future success certain. The |
presence here of representatives of |
the sturdy Republicanism OF Mich
igan proved to him that there was
little he could say, while there was
much he could see. "The campaign |
of the Republican party began on the
night of the day which the Republican
party was defeated" The manly |
conditions has brought later successes.
Since that campaign nothing has been A.,
lost save in the State of New York, |
where it can scarcely be called de-
feat. He said: "New York is not GER
tain" Washington's greatness in his
life and character as bearing on his |
influences in our government was his
subject. He did not claim the
fame OF Washington as of one
part of the country. His charac-
ter and fame will never be |
disowned or dishonored by any
part of this or any other nation.
Other nations claim share in the
honor which shines in all the people |
of the world, nevertheless the Re-
publicans can say that from the birth |
of the party there has never been a
stain on their character before the
world for any act of desertion or dis
honor from them. In all his life and
history Washington was patriot and
a lover OF his country, but lover of it
through it's union and its permanence
and itsstrength. Nothing can be found
in his record that he vainly |
thought his beloved country could be
maintained with the notion that it
could be torn in part by posterity.
Less than three-quarters of a cen.
tury after his death this country was
rent by great civil war, caused by
threat against its physical unity. The
name and power and glory of Wash
ington found every loyal heart with
new determination that his fame
should not be disgraced in history by
destroying their triumphs. Instead
burning patriotism, offering every
thing TO save the future and
preserve the past, the great mans
idea was found in the consummation
of the Union. He considered the
Chicago Convention of 1860 as the
supplement and fulfillment of the
Convention and Declaration of indie
pendence. Then we were out of
power. We are in power now. The
Democratic party was in power then
and is now. We know what we did !
then. What about now? Are not
the same incentives at work
among the people? He could not /
foretell storm, but he believed the
duty now is the same as in 1860. |
The same motives should work upon |
the party and the same responsibilities
assumed. All else must be laid aside, |
and with unsellish devotion Republic /
cans should regain power from the |
same reasons that led to it then. The |
Democratic party had no principles
worthy of name at that time; and now
they have nothing to propose for the |
well ire, happiness and good name of
the country. The strength OF the |
Democratic party is a somewhat osten-
tatious exhibition of the same antag |
onisms that influenced it in 1860. |
Republican constituency is drawn
from the came sources and animal
ed by the same motives as at |
that time. This is not time
to hesitate about speaking the
truth. Either party must advance |
or retrogrsde. The principles that
make up modern reasons for advance
are: Education, industry and suf-
frage, and these rust be brought to |
bear on the masses. He said the Re-
publican party must avow its holding |
to the principle Of protection of |
American industries. Education must |
be universal and suffrage must be
everywhere an absolute and unchal-
lenged suffrage. "If in the next cam
,,o;C-,, xyictOru doao not hp with ne II !