Daily Kennebec journal., 1904-01-05
A Bit of Political History.

century that the Republican party was
born and christencd within its borders,
but recent attempt has been made IN
Ncw York to claim that distinction tor
the Empire State. 4 CORE spondcnt OF
the New York Tribune has proposed
semi-centennial celebration Of the hold
ing Of the first State. convention Of the
Republican party. He mentions Il call
on July 10, 1854, for a mass meeting of
the electors of Albany County without
distinction Of party to meet In Albany
ON July -, 1854, to elect five delegates
from each Assembly District to a con-
venticn TO be held at Saratoga Springs
on August II, 1854, to resist the
agcressions Of the slave power" the
cali being signed BY numerous leading
citizen:. He also mentions that
mass county convention was called III
New York on August s, 1854, for like
purpose. II. also mentions other mass
conventions in certain of the counties
of the State which Were held for the
same purpose. 1t seems that a con-
vention duly assembled at Saratoga
Springs August 1G. 1874 adjourned TO
meet at Auburn September &C. 1s54 at
which last date a resolution was
adopted christening the convention as
"Republican" and u ticket nominated
which was subsequently supported At
the polls This he claims was the first
time that the name "Kepublican' was
applied to the political forces winch
were combining at that time to resist
the slave power.
No doubt, the facts as to New York
are stated By the Tribune corrcspon-
dent and they are Of importance in the
political history Of New York and the
nation. but they mislcad the reader as
to the place taken by Maine IN the
great movement Of those critical times.
w. +. +. Fogg of Wisoasset has written
the Tribune. giving the Maine side of
the story, ana his communication is OF
1nut'n HlSloi Itttl NtlIu' " III i'''1y "''''
the State. He shows that political rev
o!ution ana reform on tn" lines which
ultimately evolved the Republican par
tv were in the air earlier than 1882, and
that in no state in the Union WAS the
moral sentiment of the people az linSt
the "aCgrcssionS of the slave power
l.,- -,J,. I,..-
ginning of 1894 than in the State OF
Maine. The Democratic party had be-
come split in twain in every county IL
the State and the Whig party was on
the brink Of dissolution. A call was
issued for a mass State convention to
be held in Portland, Jun" :. 1884. for
the nomination of Il canlidht" tor Gov
ernor. and there wiis a good represent
alton at said convention from most of
the counties of the STATE" ana IL ticket
was nominated which was Subsequent
" we'll supported At the polls. Every
district in Mainc with Il single eXCcp-
tinn. elected an anti Nebraska man I"
the XXINth Congress. which assem-
blcd December 8. 1915.
Calls W"r" simultaneously dated aud
issued by the respective county COM
miti""s Of the Ere" Soil party. Wing
party and the Morrill, Democratic party
for INDEPENDENT county conventions Of
thu three parties to meet at Strong.
among tn" Franklin county hills. on
Monday. August !. 1854 tWo months
after the mentioned state Convention
at Portlann. for the purpose of noni-
mating candidates for State senator
and county officers to b" voted for at
the ensuing election. Said delegate
conventions assembled, and each WAS
regularly organized and committees OF
conference appointed. subsequently
said committees reported and the con-
vcutions voted to unite. ana did unite.
and nominated Il full ticket. The
record of the united convention shows
Willard. of Wilton. it was voted with
enthusiastic reclamation that the party
created by the union of the three con-
ventions bear the name of the 'Rcpub-
lican party.
In his communication to the Tribune
Mr.. Fogg recalls the grand rally a.
Strong i'll 1854 on the occasion OF
celebration of the thirticth anniver-
sary of the formation of the Repub-
lican party. This celebration was held
in the town of Strong before
mentioned. and was memorable event
in the political annals of the state
The late Congressman Dingley pre-
sided. James G. Blaine, then candi
date for President. was present. a:
were also other leaders of the part!
and men prominent in the affairs O
the nation. There was an enormou:
Concourse of people and aboundini
enthusiasm. 4 letter was read from