, 1904-02-25
B|RTHPLACE
NEW HAMPSHIRE RESIDENTS DE-
CLARE IT To BE EXETER
IN THAT STATE,
Say That the Claim of Jackson, Michi-
gan for the Honor is Almost a
Year Behind in the Date Chosen
for Semi-centennial Celebration
Nam Applied by Exeter Resident.

NHS'N ~ IL ESp. - IL 5oV
ton that the republican party was
born at Jackson. Mich, is strongly de-
MED by residents of Rockingham coun-
ty, n. II. They declared that the Mich
igan politicians are almost a year be
hind in the date chosen for the cele-
bration of the tiftieth anniversary OF
the party. and hat the real birthplace
OF the organization is Exeter.
According to them, the name republi-
can was chosen and applied by the
Hon. Amos Tuck in this town on Oct.
u, 1853, as against July 6, 1854, when
the Jackson, Mich, people say it was
first used. Mr.. Tuck was a free soil
leader in this state, and had just re-
turned to New Hampshire after serv-
ing six years in congress, where he
had taken a firm stand against the ey-
pansion of slavery.
Up to lS47 New Hampshire was con
controlled by the democrats. led by
Isaac Hill. In opposition at this period
were the wings, the abolitionists. the
free sellers and the independent dem
ocrats. The leaders of the last we're
George G.. Fogg, Amos Tuck and John
p. Hale.
These four parties united in 1887,
and at the election in March of that
year carried the Legislature by a ma
jority of 3. There was no choice in the
vote for governor and the coalition
chose General Anothony Colby, a whig.
for the office.
John p. Hale was made speaker of
the house, and later in the session was
elected United States senator. At a
special election for member of on
gress in the First New Hampshire dis
trict on July s, 1S47. Mr.. Tuck was
elected and was reelected twice after
ward.
The several parties that aided in the
election of Hale and Tuck maintained
their separate organizations until 1853.
when it became apparent that a change
must be made in their plans if the DEM
ocrats were to be successfully assail-
ed. In Rockingham county the senti-
late in September, 1853, Congressman
Tuck sen to a few leaders a letter, of
which the following is a copy:
I'VE deem it advisable to hold an in
formal meeting composed of some of
the principal members of the parties
Der at Major Blake's hotel. One of the
principal objects of this informal meet
ing is to fix on a plan of harmonizing
the different party organizations,
whereby a more united corporation
can be secured and the four parties
may pull together under one title OF
organization"
The meeting was held as appointed.
1t did not attract much attention and
little heed was paid to the proceedings.
There was an attendance of only four
teen, the last survivor of these men be-
ing the late DR.. Homer Batchelder.
then of Londonderry.
On Aug. 10, 1887, DR.. Batchelder,
then a resident of Danversport, Mass,
published an extended report of the
meeting.
AT this meeting" says DR.. Batcheld-
er, " Mr.. Tuck proposed that we use
our influence to the end that all the
political organizations which had rath-
err informally acted together thus far
in behalf of n general object, should
drop individual titles and should here
after be known and recognized as n
party under one common title and that
the name republican be prefixed to
the party and thai it hereafter be
known as me republican party"
Mr.. Tuck reasoned that this name
would be more likely to become ma
tionalized. take on canonical respect
ability and be significant of a great
national party in process of time" All
those at the meeting agreed to work
for this end.
In December, 1858. Horace Greeley
spent a week at his old home in Lon
donderry, where he saw much of DR..
Batchelder. the two being friends
Batchelder gave to Mr.. Greeley the do
ings OF the Exeter meeting of the Oc-
tober before. The name struck Mr..
Greeley as the right thing, and he said:
Il think it will be necessary to adopt
some general name. and | think re-
publican would be the best name. 1t
would sound both J~effersonian and
Madisonian and for that reason will
take WELL