New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-03
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
Il Claim Put in for Maine as It's
Birthplace.
To the Editor of the Tribune.

signed William Barnes ST. referring to q pro-
posed seInl-centennial celebration of the holding
OF the hrst State Convention OF the Republican
party. Your esteemed correspondent mentions
a call on July 10. 1854 for a mass meeting Of
the electors Of Albany County without distinc-
uon OF party TO meet in Albany on July 2S
1894, 20 elect five delegates from each Assem-
Oily District to convention to be held at Sara
toga Springs on August 16. 1854. ito resist the
asSressions Of the slave power" the call being
signed by numerous leading citizens. He also
mentions that mass County Convention was
called in New York on August s. 1854. for like
purpose. He also mentions other mass couven-
lions in certain of the counties of the State
which were held for the same purpose.
II seems that a convention duly assembled at
Saratoga Springs August 1G. 1854, adjourned to
meet at Auburn September %, 1854 at which
last date a resolution was adopted christening
the convention Republican" and q ticket
nominated which subsequently supported
at the polls
have no doubt that the above facts are as
stated by your correspondent. and they GER
tainly part of the history OF an important
political period in your State and in the nation,
but I think the article Internationally tends to
nslead the reader as to the place of actual
organized birth of the Republican party.
Political revolution and reform on the lines
which ultimately evolved the Republican party
were IN the air earlier than 1852. and in
State in the Union the moral sentiment OF
the people against the ''aggresslons Of the slave
power more thoroughly crystallIzed BY the be-
ginning of 1854 than In the State OF Maine. The
Democratic party had become split in twain in
every county in the State the Wing party
on the brink of dissolution. A call was issued
for mass State convention to be held IN Port
Ia nd = for OFo
didate for Governor and there was a good rep
resentation at said convention from most of the
counties Of the State. and ticket was noml-
mated which was subsequently we'll supported at
the polls. Every district in Maine. with single
exception. elected an anti-Nebraska man to the
XXHIVth Congress. which assembled December
g. 1855.
Calls were simultaneously dated and issued by
the respective county committees OF the Free
Soil party, Wing party and the Morrill, Demo-
cratic party for Independent county conventions
Of the three parties to meet Strong Village in
the County Of Franklin. Me- on Monday Au-
gust l. 1854 1.-TWO months after the mentioned
State Convention at Portland). for the purpose
OF nominating candidates TOR State Senator and
county officers TO be voted for at the ensuing
election. Said delegate conventions assembled
and each was regularly organized and commit
tees OF conference appointed. subsequently said
committees reported and the conventions voted
10 unite, ana aid unite, and nominated a full
ticket. The record of the united convention
shows that "On motion of Major John H VIII
lard. OF Wilton 1t voted with enthusiastic
reclamation that the party created by the union
OF the three conventions bear the name Of The
Republican party
/ inclose herewith pamphlet containing the
platform adopted by the Strong convention.
which pamphlet was published in 1854 the
occasion OF celebration OF the thirtieth anniver-
sary OF the formation OF the Republican party
This celebration was held in the town of Strong
before mentioned. and was u memorable event
! ., fEA .Et NJ fa Na lnr
Congressman Dingley presided. James O. Blaine.
then candidate for President, present, as
were also other leaders of the party and men
prominent IN the AFFAIRS OF the nation. There
was an enormous concOUrse of people and
Astounding enthusiasm. letter was read from
former Governor Arson Z. Morrill,. who, il will
be remembered. was the father of the Morrill,
Democratic party before mentioned and who
swung his following 10 the support and develop
meut Of Republican principles in the memorable
campaigns which followed the Strong COnyen-
ton. The news OF the formation of the new
party spread over the State like wiIddre. and
long before the September election oil the coun-
ties were in line with regular Republican organ
izatiOns.
The point is made by Republicans in Maine
that the Strong convention was the first
vent!on constituted of delegates chosen under
an appOrtiOnment that adopted the distinctive
party name Of Republican, made platform
ana on II Put n ho-ilii'lt l9h cahuGates loF the
suffraGes of the people. l have no doubt that 10
that assemblage belongs the honor of bestOwal
OF the name OF Republican upon the union OF
political forces that was then about 10 mature
Long before the actual adoption OF the resolu-
ton by the Saratoga convention, which your
esteemed correspondent mentions, September
2G, 1854 the State Convention had been held at
Portland, Me, on June I. 1854. and its members
under the name Republican party were put
ting up q stiff fight throughout their State.
There Is enough in the grand record of the
Republican organization to divide honOrs uber-
ally with all claimants. and l would be the last
TO detract from the just claims of any section
but l think all the facts go to show that when
those old war horses OF the Republican party
wrote in their declining years Of the good fights
fought for the faith" in the days when the
country more of "a house divided against
itself" than now. I trust than il ever will be
again they knew of what they wrote When
they claimed q legitimate conception birth and
christening OF the party as having occurred in
that ola convention hall in Strong 1 think
that they made error in the nature state
ment Of their claim
| hope the Saratoga anniversary will be cele-
brated, and l assure you that to none viii the
occasion give greater pleasure than to the de-
scendauts in Maine OF some of those original
Republicans who participated in the events of
1874
There Is better reading for the youth of
this country than the story and records OF the
period which developed and brought into being
the Republican party No political student can
which he is voting except as he delves deeply
among the causes of their evolution. and con-
siders the reasons for their application to pres
ent conditions: thus. l say. / hope the celebra-
ton will be held and that other convention
anniversaries OF the period in question will be
also celebrated not only out OF respect to the
memory of those who participated in them, but
for the educational advantage which Will accrue
to the youth of our country by having Its politt-
cal history correctly understood.
wlscasset. Ne, Dec 80 1903.