The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1902-02-14
DAY OF BANQUETS
Republicans of the State Observed
Lineoln's Birthday
STATE LEAGUE ELECT OFFICERS
Chinese Minister WI Spoke at the
Grand Rapids neutrality-suspicious.
zoo, Hillsdale and Pontiac Republi-
cans Were Loyal.

Grand Rapids, Mich, Feb. 13.-The
Lincoln club of this city celebrated
the birthday of Lincoln last night with
a banquet, Congressman VIM. Alden
Smith bringing number of guests
from Washington. The principal
guest was Minister WI.
The Chinese minister was warmly
welcomed when he rose to respond to
q toast. He said in part:
Looking back through the vista OF
time, I am inclined to think the civil
war, coming as it did, was not alto
gether a bad thing for this country.
Measured by the amount of wealth de.
stroyed by fire and sword, and the
quantity of blood spilled on the bat
tlefeld, the war was undoubtedly an
appalling calamity; but, measured by
the glorious results achieved, chief
among which was the settlement of
the slavery question, the war was not
an unmixed evil. For before the war
slavery had been weighing heavily
upon the life and energy of the ma
ton. The war came and Lincoln cut
the Gordian knot by issuing his ia
nous emancipation proclamation.
With the abolition of slavery the coun-
try at once awoke to a new life. Then
the United States was content to keep
aloof from the rest of the world. Now
you are not to be satisfied with any
thing less than world power 1t is
the irresistible logic of events that has
brought about the new order Of things.
President Mckinley sounded the
keynote to the present situation when
he said the period of exclusiveness is
past. Reciprocity treaties are in har-
mony with the spirit of the times
How cannot this grand principle of
reciprocity be applied to the inter-
course between China and the United
States? 1t is not merely matter of
sentiment, but also matter of bust
ness, that this should be done.
I'm order to pave the way for inter-
change Of friendly offices-for the
profitable employment or American
capital and American energy in the
development of China, to the advant-
age of both-the establishment of
good feeling between the people of the
Two countries is primary requisite.
There should be perfectly fair dealing,
there should be no invidious discrimi-
nation of any kind whatever. Then
will there be mutual helpfulness be.
tween the old empire and the youth.
full republic. Then both countries will
reap the benefit of genuine reciproc-
ity."
Congressman VIM. Alden Smith
acted as POSTMASTER and speeches
were also made by Congressman Lam
dis of Indiana, Congressman Cousins
or Iowa; Henry ID. Estabrook Of ILL
nois. and the Hon. Amos T.. Wilder
of Wisconsin.
At the annual meeting and election
OF State League of Republican clubs
at the rooms of the Lincoln club in
the afternoon developed into a hot
fight, with almost all the delegations
lined up against the city of Grand
Rapids.
The representatives of the Furniture
City tried in vain to engineer a coup
to land George H. Clapperton Of Grand
Rapids in the presidency instead of
Fred r. Fenton of Detroit. Fenton
was vice-president last year, but the
Grand Rapids organization, being ap-
parently favorable to Bliss's candidacy
and fearing that Fenton was identified
with the Stearns interests, made a
terrific effort to jump Clapperton from
the Office Of treasurer, which he held
last year, to that of president.
When 1t came to balloting Fenton
carried everything, and by a motion
he was declared unanimously elected
without further voting. The other Of
ficers elected were: Vice.president.
Franz G. Kuhn, Mt. Clemens: secre.
g orv,h ~
treasurer, B. j. Lowry, Howard City;
delegates-at-large to the national con-
vention OF republican clubs at Atlantic
City next summer: Judge VIM. L. Car
penter, Detroit; Burt d. Cady, Port
Huron; w. w. Wedemeyer, Ann Ar
Dor; George w. Mcbride, Grand Ha-
ven; Earl y. Johnson, Flint; Frank
Westcott, Vernon; James A. Coye,
Grand Rapids; George II. CASTOR, De.
troit; Lincoln Avery, Port Huron;
George CoveH, Traverse City.
Kalamazoo, Mich, Feb. 13.-The an
nual banquet of the Kalamazoo Coun-
ty Lincoln Republican club was held
last night. The principal address was
by Senator Knute Nelson of Mime
sofa, whose subject was abraham
Lincoln" Other addresses were made
by Hon. Lewis Il. Palmer Of Big Rap
Ids; Auditor-General Perry f. Powers
Of Cadillac, and Hon. Charles e. Town
send of JacH ION.
Hillsdale, Mich. Feb. 1S.-The Line
DIN club OF Hillsdale county held it's
annual meeting and banquet at SUIT
toms hall last evening. Hon. Corvis
NJ Barre acted as POSTMASTER. Covers
were laid for $50 and there were no
empty seats.
Pontiac, Mich, Feb. 13.-Six hun
dred men from Oakland county were
In attendance at the thirteenth annual
Lincoln club banquet held here last
night In the Pontiac opera house. Hon.
H. M. Zimmerman was POSTMASTER.
Hon. w. A. Norton of st. Johns gave
the .fast.- toast. Abraham Lincoln"
other addresses were maze by Hon.
Grant Fellows of Hudson, and Hon.
Chase Osborn, and letters from sew.
eral prominent men were read.