The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-01-10
VETERAN REPUBLICAN CLUB.
Hon. John J. Perry Accepts the Pres
ldency-The Organization
Completed.

There was a wide awake ting Of the
Veteran Republican Club at the ward room
of the City Building last night. Secretary
Leach called the meeting to order and stated
that the report Of the committee which was
appointed to wait on Gen. Perry and inform
him Of his unanimous election TO the Office Of
president Of the club would be listened to.
Mr.. Harris. chairman Of the committee, said
that in behalf Of the committee he would say
that Gen. Perry was called upon and in
formed of his unanimous election, and that
he had concluded to accept the position. Mr..
Perry was then escorted TO the chair by Mr..
Harris, and thanked the club for the honor
conferred upon him In the following words:
Gentlemen Of the Club: L think fully
appreciate the compliment you pay me by
electing me president of the club. l should
rather have served as private, but being
informed Of my unanimous election decided
to accept. When the proposition was first
made OF forming veteran Republican club,
/ thought it very desirable thing. l think
no one would dispute the fact that the men
who formed the Republican party formed 1t
with a sincere, honest desire to serve this
country and save 1t from the hands Of the
rebels. It grew up like child of Provi-
dence There were many in the South try
ing to destroy the country. We also had
LlOSc III LIC NOIlu tudt WCAC dCtlub Will
them in the South, (they were calledscopper-
heads, trying to destroy the Union.
"The Both Congress, OF which had the
honor to be member, was one OF the most
exciting ever held in this country. Up to,
March 4th, 1861, few had any idea OF the sit
uation. Few thought that we would have
war, and this thought was INDUCED in even
after several states went out. Even after
this many thought that we would not have
war. recollect very well that about the
Of To fho Rapnhlfoan
held secret meeting that only true Union
men might attend, for the purpose of discuss
ing this great question of whether or not we
should have war. | remember there were,
many speeches made, and of all who spoke
only two thought that war was impending.
They were c. +. Adams and Gen. Custer.
Both stated positively and decidedly that we
would have war. Mr.. Adams said that we
were liable to be p0unced upon at the capl-
tai any time, and / remember that at the
time many of our friends thought that 1t
was very foolish speech.
sit was part of the plans Of the South to
descend upon Washington and take pos
session Of the capital, and there were only
about 400 troops in Washington that could
be called out. We had in the chair of state
Buchanan, coward, man who would not
stand up and do his duty. Suppose they had
raised 5000 or 1900 men at that time and de-
scended upon Washington? They would
have taken complete possession. 1t was the
Republican party that had organized to elect
Abraham Lincoln. How surprised the people
were one morning to find that he had ar.
rived in Washington. Had he come openly
he would have been assassinated. think
Lincoln's biography has never been fully
written; people don't fully appreciate him.
He will 90 down to posterity as one OF the
greatest statesmen that ever lived.
"Now, my friends,I am willing TO take hold
with you and help perfect this club and ad-
vance its interests, and in closing am going
to thank you again for the honor which you
have bestowed upon me.
On motion Of Mr.. c. K. Ladd, the follow
ing persons from each ward were appointed
as a nominating committee to nominate one
vice president from each ward, also a SER.
geant-at-arms and treasurer:
Ward IF Higgins.
Ward 2-John Snowman.
Ward B. Capt. Greeley.
Ward 4-Mr. Redl0n.
Wad 5-Dr. Webster.
War0 6-E. Il. Chase.
Ward &c. n Ladd-
The committee made the following report,
which was accepted:
For vice presidents from the different wards Of
the city:
Ward IF Higgins
Ward 2-Thomas PennelL.
Ward 3-JOhn Q. Tewksbury.
Ward 4-George Hall.
Ward 5-William III. Smith,
Ward 6-Eben Corey.
Ward 7-George w. Woodman.
Treasurer-Edward z. Chase
Sergeant-at-Arms-Cap Greeley.
On motion of Mr.. John NJ. Stevens. the
following committee from each ward were
appointed to solicit members:
Ward 1-George Trefethen, R. X. Galley, James
Ward IN Heseltine. Thomas rennell, Thomas
Ward 3-R Greeley, George s. Staples, J. W.
Clapp.
Ward Sc. N. Perry, c. Z. Jose, H. S. TrIckey.
Ward &C. Abbott, Henry Small, q. III. Abbott. |
Ward 7-W. 5. Dunn, w. ii. Sargent, W. ii. |
Green
1t was voted that the executive committee |
be directed to procure suitable place for
the future meetings Of the club.
Mr.. N. S. Fernald thought that 1t would be
better to hold the meetings Of the club often
er than once a month at first, in order to
boom it. A motion to that effect was adopt |
ed.
Mr. Redl0n made motion that the execu- |
tive committee be directed to invite men OF |
the Republican party who were not members |
of the club to address the club on the live |
topics of the day at their meetings. The |
motion was adopted.
A motion that all the old Republicans be |
invited to meet with the club at their next |
meeting, was made by Mr.. Tewksbury. and |
was accepted.
No other business coming before the meet
ing, it was voted to adjourn until Jan. 10th,
at 7.30 p. m.