New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-04
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
BIRTHPLACE OF REPUBLICAN PARTY.
Members Of Convention at Jackson, Mich,
Called Themselves Republicans.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir; 1t Is most appropriate that the contro-
versy which is bound to come over the date and
birthplace of the Republican party should be In
the columns OF The Tribune. whose editor did
so much toward the formation Of the party and
the adoption Of its name fifty years ago the com
ing spring. At the twenty-hfth and thirtieth
anniversaries OF the birth Of the party. in 1879
and 1884. the matter was exhaustiveIy gone over.
and now the question is brought to the front
again by the communication in your issue Of
December % from William Barnes ST.. OF AL
bany. Mr. Barnes begins his communication as
follows:
It has been mooted question for public dis
cussion which Northern State was entitled to
the honor Of calling and holding the first State
convention OF the Republican party.
After noting the various movements In New
York State in 1s54-'55. Mr.. Barnes concludes
with the following:
Thus # will be seen that August &C. 1904 viii
complete the seui-centennial OF the first State
convention and organization Of the great Re-
publican party Of the State Of New-York and
the United States.
But New-York State cannot substantiate any
claims the birthplace Of the Republican
party. The party was poth born and named
months before August 10. 1854. There were
various gatherings in the early part Of the year.
but IL seems TO that the place and date which
should be put down as the formal correct place
and birthday Of the Republican party are July &,
1854. al Jackson. Mich. where bona hde Re-
publican convention. made up Of duly accredited
delegates was held. and adopted platform and
q full State ticket. One Of the p1anks Of this
platform was as follows:
Resolved That in view OF the necessity OF
battling for the first principles Of republican
government and against the schemes OF an
with which the earth was cursed or man de-
based. we will cooperate and be known as ke-
pubucans until the contest be terminated
There were several Republican gatherings be-
fore this. but they were entirely local. and did
no, bear the official character of a full state
convention adopting platform and nominating
a fun State ticket. as was the case al JACKSON
Mich, July o. 1871.
This "a YOU see, antedates by several "ee"s
the Saratoga convention. which was not known
at the time a Republican convention ana dld
not contain the word republican, In IFS pat
form II was simply known IS the fusion or
anti Nebraska ticket and. though Governor
Clark afterWard became RepubICan, ne was
not known as a Republican In 1871, when ne
Vas elected FRANCIS CURTIS
Springfield Mass, Dec. -. 1908
TMr. Curtis's letter IS worthy OF consideration
because Of the study and research which ne has
given TO the subject in connection with his
forthcoming History Of the Republican Party
which IS understood to be particularly com
rIate and careful work, and IN which nothing
less than two chapters Will be devoted 10 the
,-rtors Gatherings Of 1904 which resulted in the
organization of the party in that year-l