New-York tribune., 1904-09-15
FIRST DAYS SESSION.
Fassetfs Speech Cheered-Kings
County against Unit Rule.
[Rr TELEGRAPH TO The TRIBUSE.l ]

Hepublican State Convention to-day might be
termed g curtain raiser or an appetizer. 1t was
brief and lacked in the dramatic and stirring
features which are promised for tomorrow,
when the real struggle for supremacy comes.
The rain began TO fall at an early hour to-day.
and at noon it was coming down in a deuge. 1t
was therefore wet and bedraggled crowd that
focked into the convention hall.
The convention was called 20 order by William
Barnes. jr.. Of Albany. Governor Odell. as
chairman Of the State committee. had been ex-
pected to act in this capacity, but he turned the
duty over TO Mr.. Barnes. All the well known
leaders were enthusiastically received when they
entered the hall. Senator's Platt and Depew and
ex-Lieutenant Governor Woodruff were cheered
TO the echo. Governor OdelI did not appear at
the convention. Prayer was offered by the Rev.
DR.. F. l. Decker, of Saratoga, after which ].
sloat Fassett was introduced as temporary
chairman
Mr.. FAsSETTS SPEECH.
Mr.. Fassett made an excellent speech. and the
telling points we're loudly applauded. He spoke
IN part as follows:
M Chairman and Gentlemen OF the Convention
Not being a Democratic candidate for the Presi-
dercy. can discuss public questions. For this
deeply grateful When The chairman Of your com
Ro1P o65ng meetings @ and temporarily represent
your wisnes here on this platform, must confess
gree Of compllacency: but the suggestion Of the
chairman OF your committee that ] should discuss
confess with equal readiness put all my courage TO
the test for realized then, rs realize now. the
nv speech. the task OF doing anything like fair
justice 10 the splendid achievements Of the Repub-
lican party in The past its lofty purposes in
tie future The work done by the Republican
PARTY has been so great Of such high grade. Of
q
such universal benefit that l cannot hope TO do
party has done or what Il proposes TO do and will
do unless the American people shall be suddenly
.bereft Of memory and stricken with intellectual
paralysis. Our greatest party asset is the record
o. what We have cone. Our strongest political
advocates are the unfading memory patriotisn and
common sense Of the American people. With these
the ro,6p m 6 ay m e 4 neo nave no concern
This is our fftieth anniversary. For half
the history of the United States. The one cannot
be written without writing the other Whatever OF
has como to our nag, whatever Of increase has
eoIle 70 our wealth and 70 our prestige. has come
ton b. Repu6caR i oI Tbe R61bina9 ser 1b n9
liberty as the defender OF the dignity and worth os
human labor as the foe Of prejudice and caste and
unequal rights Il was founded in the desire to
save tne nation whole and save il free. In the de-
termination 70 wipe out slavery and vindcate the
Ilgat Of every man 10 the fruits Of his own labor
eo~g 1i 5nG human opportunity. equality Of all
s ;Sw as "a The sight OF COD was the first ideal of
* oi.1f parry Considerations OF domestic
p'i'cF ana lcreign relations came later.
THE AIMS OF TIE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
Haying established the right Of every man to the
GlIs q ais labor, the party devoted itself 10
tiaasicIhg tae value of those fruits. Having made
na[Gh & iree the party proceeded to make the
t-as piiocteoed 10 make il great. And now, having
t. s-ll ne naton 10 position where il is at once
.Ie 5Ieatest the richest, the freest in the world
f e KeeP1bfaR e party is welded the proposition
~ ,taFine ~ me most useful and beneficent nation
poll'llccal party was ever founded on a basis more
i,ssl-sh, ei,as or was ever inspired by ideals
,,n5s,n... y. was ever sustained by courage more
ttasiI.eo' cr was ever occupied with plans more
1T.ie"cen or justified by results magnificent
.-5 p;;siio psI1y OF Lincoln and Grant Harrison
IS E!a5ne, Mckinley and Roosevelt
olAce ls0J with fhe exception of eight years we
So iaao fsep4bi1can Presidents For only two
troI 20 ms me Democratic party had absolute con-
tstr. Ldd nIty years Of Republican endeavor and
,bir,3 ~ -! years or Republican supremacy. For
Years all the legislation and all executive
party. " De'7iiHe' ny Jul
ihs Speaker then gave many comparisons
showing the marvellous physical, material. men
'si' Spiritual and social growth of the country
fp'ce the Republican party first came into
power. Continuing. he said
az these things have not TO pass by acci-
essat They have grown up out OF the soil by
is..ssiice nor dropped down, ready made from the
ss44 They have been brought 10 pass bv wears
y struggle; they have been created bv Wears Of
lkh endeavor intelligenty, aggreesiveiy benen-
sssnnuy applied. They have come as a harvest TO
sowing and cultivating and pruning They have
rne against opposition and criticism. against OBJ
e nave every TiElt 10 claim, they came and