The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-02-13

Joseph ID. Cotton, of Duluth, Delivers
an Eloquent EuIogy of the Man
Who Mastered the Political Prob
lens That Stirred "a Nation to Its
Heart.
Four hundred members and guests Of
the Lincoln Republican club held their
fourth annual love feast at the Mer-
chants hotel last night, and ii was not
until the wee hours of the morning that
they sought adjournment. 1t was a
gathering of the faithful gathering
of almost every Republican Of influence
"a gathering of braves who were re-
sponsible to their chief for so many
votes each, and il was to unite more
closely the interests OF the party, 10
drink to its success, to listen 10 an
eloquent flow of oratoTy, and cheer the
name and valiant deeds of that great
states man. the patron saint OF the cruz,
Abraham Lincoln, that this banquet
was held
At 9 O'Clock. Hitler H. Horton, the
POSTMASTER of the evening, headed the
nroceesion which had formed in the
parlors and LED the way into the large
dining hall. \ moment later every seat
was occupied. and prayer was onered
by Dr.. John Wright At one end OF the
hall hung a large sized portrait OF LIN
coin and an American flag on either
y
ed a number of prominent Republicans
men who held office, candidates lot
eubeTratorial honorS. Among the 1anl-
liar faces were Gates A. Johnson, prtSi-
dent of the club; Gov. Clough, MAJ
John Fspy. ]. II. Wolterstorff, capt.
I McCardy. John H. Harris, Charles
! BerryhiH. J. R. Blackwell, Joseph b
Cotton of Duluth: Hitler H. Horton,
Mayor Frank 3. DOran, ID. M. sullivan,
Timothy Byrnes, of Minneapolis; DR..
John Wright, Judge Leonard, or no
chester; Charles Fairchiid, senator Al
len ]. Greer, of Lake City; Senator NC
Arthur, of Blue Earth, ana + feu -
Bryant. c.,,;,.
During the supper, Judge Collins
Cant Castle and ex-Gov. Ramsey, VINO
had earlier in the evening been IN al.
tendance at the Loyal Legion panquet
at tbs Ryan, came into the nan anu
their entrance was the signal OF dealen-
ing cheers. They were also given seats
at the head table. A sumptuous re
mast was Immediately served, and II
was not until II o'clock that toastrnas-
ter Horton opened the regular pro-
eramme of the evening. Hon Gates a
johnson. the president OF the Lincoln
club. made the address of welcome
Mr. Horton then read a NUMBER OF
regrets from prominent Republicans
who were absent in Washington; Con
gresham Tawney sent the following
telegram: .,+,,
Won. | send my most cordial greetings
and hearty congratulations. Let the
nurnoses and aims of the Republican
nartv of our state be as high, as I'M
selfish and as patriotic as were those OIL
the man whose birth and lie you To-
night commemorate. It's future sue
cess is then assured and the honor ana
fame of Minnesota will be as imperlsh-
able as is the life and character or
Abraham Lincoln.
Another telegram, which was recelV-
ed from Page Morris late IN the even
ing, read as follows;
Il regret that l cannot be with you
this evening For nearly forty years
the country has looked to the party OF
Lincoln to preserve and MAINTAIN the
honor and glory and welfare or the
nation 1t has never looked IN VAIN.
The past two years have shown that
that nartv is still true to it's highest
ideals and nobest traditions. 1t is MT
ting that its members should meet to
celebrate the birthday of Lincoln. Let
us remember his life and be worthy
of the past and equal to the future.
Letters from Congressman Grosvenor,
Tddv Stevens and Fletcher and Sem
ator Davis were also read, as we'll as
y telegram of regret from L. F. Hub
bard.
Joseph B. Cotton, of Duluth, was
then introduced and in forceful man
ner responded to the toast of Lin
noIr ;, Mr. cotton spoke loudly and
deliberately, and could easily be heard
throughout the large hall. He proved
himself the master speaker or the even"
ing and his speech was interrupted by
frequent cheers and applause. He sald
in part:
NJ the worlds greatest characters and
sweetest memories. We are now assembled
pies Of that great political organization
whose past is a record Of glorious deeds,
whose present is an omen OF better times
and whose future is repete with the as
surances of good government, wisely, judi
ciously and economically administered we
are met to kinde anew the fires OF a lofty
and undoubted American patriotism, and
do homage to the illustrious leaders who
have carried our banners in the past. 1t
is extremely fitting that great anniversary
like the birthday of Abraham Lincoln should
be celebrated by a party whose first great
leader he was, at once its guide and its
inspiration.
leadership. 1t will ever gather inspiration
from his public utterances and avowed
principles. He gave US motto for the
memorable national campaign of 1895, when
he said Labor was prior to capital, but
property is the fruit of labor Let no man,
therefore, who is houseless, pull down the
house of another but let him labor dill
gently to build one for himself thus as
surfing that his own shall be salfe from VIC
ience when built
To that sentiment all Republicans every
where are willing to subscribe. 1t is the
opposite of national or individual reputation
and of populistic or socialistic heresy. The
principle therein promulgated is that of
construction and advancement, rather than
Of destruction and spoliation. The Repub-
lican party will never be out of its moor
ings, or its course, if 1t permanently nail
that motto to its masthead.
How inspiring is this hour! What a
remarkable career was his, The rail split
ter of the Sangamon, the country lawyer OF
the Western frontier became IL few short
eventful years the foremost figure of his
century. whose memory is the priceless
heritage of posterity. Lincoln sprang from
the people He came up from
the very day walks of lie. He was schooled
in adversely and trained in poverty 10
honesty, simplicity and sincerity. Lncoln's
frugality, courage resolution and honesty
were the children of pioneer life, necessity
and self denial. They made him just,
mericful and great. His election to the
presidency was accepted as a valid reason
for a declaration of revolution the part