The San Francisco call., 1904-09-15
REPUBLICAN REUNION.
Semi Centennial Celebration by the
Party's Founders.


SARATOGA, N. Y, Sept. 14.-Rain,
which fell in torrents, did not prevent
a good attendance at the Republican
party's semi-centennial celebration to-
night The celebration was brought
about by committee composed of sur
viving delegates to the first regular
State Republican convention, held here
on August 16. 1854.
Occupying seats on the platform were
125 white-haired veterans who voted for
John c. Fremont. The presiding Off
Ger of the meeting was Frederick w.
Seward, the son of Lincoln's Secretary
of State. Senator Depew and Major
Francis II. Fremont, a son of John
G. Fremont, conducted Seward to his
chair.
Chairman Seward introduced Senator
Charles w. Fairbanks as ''the next
Vice-President of the United States,
and the candidate received a great ova-
ton when he rose to speak. He said
in part:
Fellow Citizens: You do well to celebrate
the anniversary Of the birth Of the Republican
party within the Empire State, for 1t has done
more for human freedom than any other po-
litical agency since the Pilgrims landed upon
Plymouth Rock.
All honor to you venerable gentlemen who
fifty years ago stood at the cradle Of the Re
publican party. 1t required resolution of
high order to renounce your old political alle-
glance and align yourselves with the forces
which assembled under the banner of Republi-
canism. You were obliged to encounter hate,
prejudice. criticism and epithet But these did
not stay your purpose. You and your immor-
tai compatriots enlisted in holy cause. You
sought the north star Of human liberty and
turned neither to the right nor to the left
Opposition did not dissuade you. 1t but drove
alted purposes. The Republican party did not
organize for spoils 1t assembled about an al
tar of sacrifice and in sanctuary beset by
enemies
In good time, in Gods province, victory was
given to your cause. 1t not achieved un-
til after or institutions were put TO the su-
public the crime which summoned you to
your exalted service was washed away.
The achievements Of the Republican party
constitute the most luminous pages in Amert.
can history. Tey have no parallel in all OF
the ample annals of the past.
The Republican party has not been the
nerveless party Of expediency 1t has stood
for the right and challenged all comers 1t
has met every emergency which has arisen
upon the high level of duty and honor Above
mere party triumph il has put the welfare of
the people. To paraphrase the historic utter
ance of our first great leader the Republican
party has been party of the people. by the
people and for the people. 1t has possessed in
eminent degree the initiative facultyA 1t
has been progressive 1t has met the advanc-
ing needs of our expanding country and
national development, under the inspiration of
its policies. challenges the admiration and the
wonder OF the world. II has had convictions
and it has had the moral courage to proclaim
them.
Senator Fairbanks was followed by
Major Francis B. Fremont, u. S. A,
who spoke briefly. Senator Depew
spoke next. He said:
call attention to this pregnant fact: In
our brief history, by natural death or assas-
sination.s the Presidency has become vacant
and a succession under the constitution neces-
sary five times. It is a contingency always
before US II Judge Parker should be elected
the respected and honored citizen who is the
second on the ticket Will enter upon its in
cumbency in his eghty-second year. That
presents also the possibility of the constitu-
tional rule Of succession coming into force.
Under the law If the President and Vice Pres
ident die the members of his Cabinet succeed
in the order of creation of those ministries
first the Secretary of State; second, the Sec
retary of the Treasury; third, the Secretary
of War.
Every President must necessarily select the
men who will I'LL these places from his most
distinguished advisers and friends in the con-
vention. This rule is inviolabe and cannot
be avoided The two gentlemen who would
thus be honored beyond all others would be
Governor Hill and W. ]. Bryan. Then would
come q southern man. and John Sharp Will
liams would be entitled to consideration.
A contingency therefore, is possible. though
81 may be remote, that the people Of the United
States will have elected either one of these
gentlemen indirectly for their chief magistrate.
The voter must take into consideration in cast
ing his ballot whether his choice would be
either of these gentlemen as compared with
Roosevelt, Fairbanks John Hay, Leslie NJ.
Shaw and William H Taft.