The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-06-27

vention assembled at Jackson on July and as
there was no hall large enough to accommodate
the citizens the meeting was held in a grove Of
oaks and in consequence the meeting place OF
that convention is known as "Under.the Oaks"
At this meeting Chandler was one Of the speak
crs. He expressed the condition Of affairs that
then prevailed everywhere in the following sem
tcnce: "Misfortunos make strange bedicllows.
] see before me Wings, Democrats and Free
Soilers, all mngling together to rcbuke great
wrong" IL was at this meeting that the name
Republican" was adopted for the party
whose cardinal principle was TO bc no further
extension OF slavery. Horace Greeley had sug
gested the name OF democratic. Republican"
But the convention at "Undcr.thc Oaks omit.
ted the word democratic" and it was every.
where conceded that Republican" would be a
good name.
A strong reason was that the party OF JcTer
son during his administration was called "Re.
publican" and as the new party was TO adopt
his policy Of slavery prohibition in the terri.
tories the name "Rcpublican" would be a pro.
per and most fitting ono for the new party. The
new party made itself felt at once, for in the
election OF members OF congress in the fall Of
1854 the Democratic party failed TO secure a
majority. Congress met in December, 1865, ard
after two months baloting finally elected n. p.
Banks Of Massachusetts, speaker. The first step
tONdTu national organization was taken On
January IL, 1856. On that date the chairman Of
the state Republican committees of Maine, vcr.
mont, Massachusetts,, New York, Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin, issued
an address to the Republicans Of the United
States, inviting them to meet in formal con-
yention at Pittsburg, 1856. for the purpose Of
pcrfecting a national organization and providing
for national delegate convention Of the Re
publican party. The convention that met in
oil eb,,rpr Eol,r
appointed national committee of 22 one from
each state and the District OF Columbia.
o
This committee on March %, 1856, issued the
following call: "To the People of the United
States: The people of the United States without
regard TO past political differences or divisions
who are opposed to the repeal of the Missouri
Compromise, to the policy OF the present ad-
ministration, to the extension Of slavery into
the territories, and in favor Of the admission Of
Kansas as free state, and of restoring the ac-
tion of the federal government to the principles
of Washington and jefferson, arc invited by the
national committee, appointed by the Pittshurg
convention of the 22d of February 1885, TO send
from each state three delegates from each CON
gressional district, six delegates at large, to
meet in Philadelphia the 18th day of June next,
for the purpose of recommending candidates to
be supported for the offices Of president and
vice president Of the United States" That was
a notable convention II was attended by men
strong in patriotism who were destined to be.
comc conspicuous figures in national history. 1t
is just a. years since the meeting of that first
national convention of the Republican party.
The convention nominated John C. Fremont Of
California, who was little known in politics,
but who had achieved popularity, especially
among the younger element, for his exploits and
adventures in the West william l.. Dayton, of
New Jersey, was nominated for vice president.
Pennsylvania had large share in the procecd-
ings Of that convention and the platform was
reported by David Wilmot Of our state. The
birthplace Of the Republican party in name and
political formation as it has existed ever since
was "Under-the. Oaks at jackson. in the state
Of Michigan, July G, 1851 Its first president
was the unlettered child of the plains, Abraham
Lincoln elected in November, 1850.