Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-18
At THE WHITE HOUSE
Large Delegation Of Michigan
Men Call.
PRESIDENT INVITED
TO ATTEND ANNIVERSARY OF
FIRST REPUBLICAN CONVENTION.
Mr.. Roosevelt Makes a Happy Reply,
Hoping to Accept-For an
Alaskan Exhibit.
PRESIDENT INVITED


large delegation of prominent men of
Michigan greeted the President in the east
room of the White house at noon today,
and not only extended him an invitation to
assist in celebrating a historic event. but
gave him an enthusiastic, hearty greeting.
In the delegation were practically all the
prominent republicans of the state, nearly
a hundred in number. Heading the dele
cation Were Senators Alger and Burrows,
all the representatives in the House. Gov.
! A. T. Bliss, ex-Gov. John r. Rich, John ].
Carton. speaker of the Michigan house of
representatives; Attorney General Charles
Blair, eX-Representative H. c. Smith,
James E. Scripps of Detroit, Cad Smith of
| Marquette, Chase Osborne of 500, eN-Rep-
resentative James O'Donnell and George A.
| Marston of Detroit. The chairman of the
delegation was Representative o'Don-
nell. Brief speeches were made by Senators
Burrows and Alger, Gov. Bliss and Mr.:
O'Donnell, inviting the President to attend
the fiftieth anniversary of the first repub-
lican convention held in the United States.
July is the anniversary and Jackson Is
the place. References were made to the
famous '.Under-t he-oaks" gathering and its
effects upon the country. 1t is proposed to
make the event one of national interest and
Importance, and this was set forth in the
speeches. 1t is the hope of the promoters
of the celebration that an arrangement can
be made whereby the official notification of
the nomination President will be extend
ed at Jackson to the nominee of the repub-
lican party.
The Presidents Reply.
Amid the cheers of the Michigan men the
President spoke as follows:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen:
TT would be impossible for me not to be
deeply moved by the invitation, by the cir
!
above ALL by the cordiality and generous
spirit you show in rendering 1t. If can
shall come. (Applause.) The only reason
that cannot speak in unqualified terms of
acceptance at the moment is that have to
consider SO many other invitations. Many
invitations are rendered to me which l
would like to accept. which, if it were only
question OF mere personal inconvenience,
I should accept, but in which cases 1t is
nevertheless impossible for me to do as
desire, simply because have not the phys
ical power. l cannot go to more than GER
tain number OF places; but do feel very
strongly that this invitation stands by itself
(applause): that any republican President
would have to accept 1t unless there was the
very best reason why he could not. Gap
plause.) Before sending definite answer
l shall have to consult certain of my good
friends who have been begging that should
go elsewhere on or about that time to attend
different meetings, three of them being the
semi-centennial anniversaries, which are of
they are not quite of the Importance that
yours is. (Applause)
For my good fortune I have been twice
in Jackson. and have travelled through
Michigan pDrd than once. on the last oc-
caston 1esa pefsonally conducted tour, and
it would be~af peculiar pleasure to come on
the 9th of July to Jackson. because l feel
with all the strength there is in me that
our ability to make the republican party
be live power for good in the country
now depends upon the way fin which we
stand for Just, the. tendencies. just the fun
damental PRINCIPLES. for which those men
stood in 1854. siApp4ause) Gentlemen. every
man here from decade to decade faces new
problems in HIS own afesA new problems in
his own business. in his own work. but he
wins or he loses in each set Of problems
according to the degree in which he shows
the tendencies which tell for success or
failure in all the other problems. The con-
ditions we face in 1904 are totally different
from those in 1854. 1t yet remains true
that we need essentially the. same attributes
In order to wrest good results from those
conditions. 1 feel that We are now carry
ing out policies as Americans which entitle
us with clear hearts to celebrate the birth
of the republican party fifty years ago.
(Applause.) We have right to appeal to
what was done by the great men of the
past. because we are treating the memory
of their great deeds not as an excuse for
our failure to grapple with the emergencies
of the present. but spur to make US
grapple with them well. Applause)
L earnestly hope that it will be in my
power to accept your invitation. If can
come I certainly shall. / shall let you know
definitely soon as possible. Before you
go | wish to have the chance to shake
hands with each of you, and now to say to
all of you that you have given me heart
and courage by the way you have greeted
me today. (Applause.)
Prior to going to the White House the
Michigan men held meeting at the Airing
ton and decided that the only official visit
to be paid would be to the President. After
leaving the White House the members OF
the delegation were taken to visit the var1-
Gus points of interest in the city; some go
ing to the navy yard, where band concert
was given in their honor, and others going
to the different departments. Many of them
will leave for home tonight.
For an Alaskan Exhibit