Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-28
INTERESTING REUNION.
The Veteran Republicans Of 1S55-'6O

On Saturday evening, January 26, was held
at the residence Of Mr.. Lewis Clephane, re-
union of the republicans of 1856 '6O-nearly
thirty-five years ago. There were present but
about thirty-nine of the survivors of period
when it was deemed disgraceful, even danger
Gus, to be member of that party which had
for its chief tenet belief that all men we're
born free and equal.
The remnant Of the survivors was warmly
welcomed by Mr.. Clephane, whose connection
with the republican party dates back to time
when the advocates of those principles, now
the outspoken sentiment of this country and of
the whole world, were obliged to meet covert
ly, In order not to incur the violence of the
large element OF party opposed to human
liberty, and he gave concise history of the
origin, growth, and progress of the national
republican party.
There was, he said, an organization in those
times known as the Republican club an adj
junct to which was the semi-warlike tribe of
the "Wlde-awakes," which, whenever it had oc-
caslon to parade, went armed, to resist threats
of extinction INDUCED in by the crowds of
roughs holding allegiance to the democratic
party, and who were supplied with the NUM-
tons OF war, paving-stones and bad whisky. by
their richer fellows. The headquarters of this
handful OF men, having the courage of their
convictions was in the building known in those
days as the ''Wigwam," but now the fremont
House, at the corner of I'd street and Indiana
avenue.
This building was attacked by the opposition
mobs, armed with bricks and clubs, arguments
always so ready in the absence of reason and
principle. The old National Era, the war horse
OF the party from its infancy dead, but out of
its glorious grave was evoked, like the full
armed warriors from the head of the famed
goddess, in a single campaign. as it were, the
great republican party with Abraham Lincoln
as its leader. In this building was q vast store
OF material, presses, and all the necessary
equipment of large printing establishment,
and it was here, amid the full fruition of the
hopes of the pioneers of the party, that news
paper, the National Republican, was ushered
into the ranks of the few papers which had
dared to speak.
There seemed, at this juncture, an impend-
ing cloud over our political world, which was
more apparent here in Washington than else
where. Business was to a great extent sus-
pended; the north, as the distinction was made,
seemed somewhat in fear at having had the
temerity to elect republican, mudsill, and
the lowering atmosphere of politics was blue
ana sulphurous with the maledictions of the
defeated party. Threats were made, openly,
that Lincoln would never take the oath of
Office; that assassination would intercept him.
and that the south would take the government
to its own use.
But the President-elect. however. was sworn
amply guarded, in procession, and the ''Wide
Awakes," the little band spoken of above, was
part of the cortege, displaying, with conspic-
uous promptitude and valor, its unique uni
form, its banners, and its undoubted adherence,
loyalty to the party, and fealty, which sent the
patriot Lincoln to the supreme place in the
hearts of his countrymen, and to a position the
highest in the world; position, the results of
which eliminated in dastardly act, but which
did more to render the name Of Lincoln re-
vered than if he had been permitted to live a
thousand years.
The parlors of Mr.. Clephane were tastefully
draped with flags veteran, as was the company
assembled, and which have borne a prominent
part in all the events from 1855 to i1sS9-sad-
dened by disaster, and in success. glowing with
fervor in that glorious combination of colors so
dear to the heart of every American. After a
series OF refreshments, congratulations. remi-
niscences, and the good old song of sAuld Lang
Syne," In chorus, the party separated, but with
measures taken to perpetuate the organization