The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1903-03-12
BosTON's BIRD CLUB
Claims to Have Been the Founder
Of the Republican Party.
inserestinE Facts fFszn Its EARLY Elis-
tery and Masses Of sone e Hfn
Mere Prominsnt Memberu
Of the Pnst.

1
How few there are in this city wha
know and realize that within the four
walls Of a little room In school
street. opposite city hall, the rspub-
hcan party OF the United States wac
founded; and how few there are who
know that to one OF the oldest din.
ing clubs In the country. the Boston
club, which celebrated its forty
eighth anniversary on Saturday, De-
eember 27, belongs this great dis
tinction. Such is the fact. reporta
the Boston Transcript That after
noon, the one thousand nine hundred
and ninety-aeventh regular meeting
and dinner of tho club took place.
attended BY large company Of mem-
bers and guests. welcomed and pre-
sided over BY the president, the Hon.
Edgar Il. champlin. ex-mayor Of
Cambridge, who, also, was unani-
mously reelected 20 the prasidency
for another year.
Some time prior to 1854 . few Of
the prominent men of Boston were
accustomed 20 meet weekly or semi
weekly, as the case might ho, 20 talk
over and consider the grave cues.
tions that agitated tho American
people half century ago. In Aprii
of 1854. Hon. Frank W. BIRD q prom
inent leader In the ~Free eoii. partv.
organized this little eoterie into the
Bird club, and on the Last Saturday
OF December Of that year the hrst
annual meeting was held. At these
meetings the father of the free soil
party gave expression 70 HIS viewn
and found ready listeners, although
all present were not wholly in ac-
cord with the sentiments expressed.
While not in any sense q political
club. yet the organization. IN claim.
ing the honor Of being the father Of
the great republican party, refers
with special qualification 20 the fact
that men Of other political afilin-
tionn have been and are members. or
have been frequently entertained bv
II. IL also enjoys the distinction of
having had around It's mahogany The
most prominent men in national
state and municipal afEaira. Under
the influence Of its able president a
i again renewing ita youth. and .
destined 70 retain lie prestige Of be-
ing the ''kingmaker' Of the common.
wealth Of Massachusetts, q dlstine-
ton that II has enjoyed fer verr
many years.
since its organization as the Bird
club it has been known a tha Ranks
club, and later took ita present name.
Among the prominent members ~
the organization may be mentioned
Henry Wilson, United States senator
and vice president Of the United
States; Charles Sumner. one of the
original members, who retained NJ
afiiliation until 1874; william IIovd
Harrison. secretary OF the original
Tree soil party; Wendell phiIllps
slso a free soileri Charles W. slack
founder and editor Of The Common
wealth; John 4. Andrew. war GOV.
ernor Of Massachusetts: John I. Ra.
ker. state senator and member Of the
harbor and land commission: John
z. Goodrich. lieutenant governor Of
this commonwealth and the fsr.f re-
publican collector Of the mort az
Boston; Charles o. Roaera. farmer
proprietor OF the Boston Journal ana
enc OF the most enthusiastic mem
1ers OF the club John b. Allsv. Of
lynn, member Of congress: Hsnni.
pal HamliD. vice president with Abrn-
ham Lincoln; Martin Brimmer.
prominent abolitionist and reunbIIe.
IN. and who always looked forward
% the Saturday meetings Of ths cluh
s:ith great pleasure; Adjt Gen. VIII
lam schonler; Judge 0tia P. Lord
ane OF Gov. Riee'a appolntees; Gen.
Nathaniel p. Banks, Gov. Alemanslev
: Bullock. orator and anti.alaverv
nan; Alexander 5. Rice. governor az
: massachusetts, and congressman.
Henry I. Pierce. ex-mayor OF Bos.
ION and contributor to tha nnti.
slavery cause; William CASTOR. gov.
srnor Of Massachusetts, and . MAN.
Der Of the club before hia election
lnd until he passed aeaS; Leopold
Morse, merchant member Of con.
Tress; Fredseie 7. Greenhaire. gov.
'rnor Of Massachusetts,. TO whom on,
7 the largest dinners IN the history
7 the club was given: Gen. John i.
swift, collector Of the port Of Hos.
on under Lincoln; Gov. Seymour.
7 New York; James 6. Blaine. az
dainei John Q. 4. Brackett, govern
T Of Massachusetts,; JudRe Thsmas
RUSSELL. Who Il win be recalled put s
top 70 garroting in Hoaton.
The senior and nertor Of tha einh
Norris Fitch. Of Lynnaeld. who
ained II 1854 end uhe was ane al
aF. Birds trusted liculsnasts i a.
Ireat daTa Of the ants.zlavcrv ROVE.
aenA and who takes the areatart
'leaaure In recalling n events ana
accidents ot the strenuous limea
sading up 20 The eivii var.
r