The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1896-06-27
Who Named the Republican
Party
NV. B. Shaw. in Leslie's Weekly

Who Named the Republican
Party?
NV. B. Shaw. in Leslie's Weekly
The fortieth birthday of the Re-
publican party as a national organ
ization has already been celebrated
by enthusiastic Republicans at va
rious places and on various dates.
In a measure the ST. Louis con-
vention also commemorated the
event. In a strict sense no def
mite day can be set apart as the
natal anniversary of great polit-
ical party. Political parties, like
Topsy, are not born; they grow.
There are those who regard the
Republican party as the outgrowth
of the Free Soil party. Both par
ties opposed the extension of sla-
very to free territory. This, how
ever is to be noted: After the Re-
publican party was formed it rap
idly gathered to itself thousands
of voters who had never acted with
the Free Sellers, even while the
new party platform contained little
else than Free Soil principles. A
careful study of political condi-
tons in this country in the years
1926 will STOW, we believe, that
the choice of the name by which
the new organization was to be
known throughout the Northern
States was an important factor in
the success which the movement
achieved almost at a bound.
1t is a singular fact that now,
after the lapse of forty years, no.
body can tell just how, when, or
why the name Republican" was
selected. 1t is generally conceded,
however, that Horace Greedy,
through his Tribune, was the first
influential advocate of the use of
this name. Just when Greeley be-
came convinced of its fitness and
began to throw the weight of his
influence in it's favor, cannot be
definitely ascertained. It is known,
however, that even before the pas
sage of the Nebraska bill the feas-
Utility of a party organization under
the name Republican" was pre-
sented to Greedy, and the pros and
cons of the matter discussed at
some length.
AS early as the summer OF 1852
Alvan Earl Bovay, an active Wing
and then a resident of Wisconsin,
but a former New Yorker and a
friend of Greeley's, had an inter-
view with the Tribune sage in New
York, in which he says that the
matter of a name for a prospective
new party was touched upon, al
though at that time Greeley had
not left the Wing organization.
The details of this conversation,
which took place while the Wing
convention which nominated Gen.
eral Scott was in session, Mr.. Bovay
remembers perfectly. After pre-
dieting SCOTS nomination and de-
feat at the polls, Mr.. Bovay says
that he urged upon Greedy the
need of new party with a live is.
sue, since the old Wing issues were
dead. "We are never going to bt
called Wings again" he said tt
Greeley. Eve shall have State
conventions, undoubtedly, but they
will be held for the purpose of dis.
solving the party more than fol
anything else"
Both men were agreed that thu
rallying cry of the new party, i
one should be formed, must b'
something that would draw togeth
er the anti-slavery element of th'
old Wing party. AS to the nam'
by which the new party should b
known, Greeley hesitated, but 30
way advocated a revival of "Repub
lican," and gave many reasons
ga party must not have com
pound name, like 'Free-Soil,'
said he. at must have a fiexibl
single name. The name Republi
can has never been smirched. ]
is held in deepest reverence still
by all the best people in the land
Then, it must have a strong infiu
ence on the people that come from
abroad. England, of course, know
nothing of Republican. Blu
France has its Republicans, an
Germany its Republikaner. Thes
} people will at once decide that th
Republican party is the party TO
them. We shall bring in thoui
ands of Democrats just by th
name, if we name it Republican"
Evidently Greedy was but sligh
10 inflnenced If at ali. bv hi