The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-06-18
REPUBLICANS BEGIN
 GREAT CELEBRATION
OPENING EXERCISES IN HONOR OF FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
 OF PARTY.

Held fin Same Hall in Philadelphia in
 Which the First National Convention
 Was Held and Nominated Fremont
 and Davis as the Presidential Ticket
 Addresses in Memory of Abraham
 LincoIn-GOvernor Pennypacker Pre-
 sides.
 Philadelphia, June 17.-1n the same assembly room in Musical Fund hall, where on June 1T, 1856, the republican party opened its first national conven- tion which named Fremont and Dayton as its presidential ticket, there gath cred to-day hundreds of republicans from different sections of the country to commemorate the event. It was the opening meeting of a four days cele- bration of the fiftieth anniversary of the republican party under the aus pices of the National Republican league, which begins its annual con vention here tomorrow. The old hall, which has changed little since the first convention was held within 1t walls was crowded with enthusiastic repub- Iicans who cheered whenever the name of any of the republican presidents was mentioned Among those who parttci- pated in the exercises were 152 men who had voted for Fremont for president. They entered the hall in a body and were assigned to seats in the front part of the auditorium. The appearance of the old men, some of whom could hard ly walk, was the occasion of long ap- plause. In their ranks was a delegate who proposed the name of Abraham Lincoln for vice president, but as the Illinois man was not well known the nomination went to Dayton. The dele gates from Texas, Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas to to-morrow's convention at tended in body and many other dele gates were distributed about the hall.
 The meeting was devoted largely tc addresses in memory of Abraham Lin coin. Speaker Cannon of the national house of representa- atives and Secretary of the Treasury Shaw, who were tc make addresses, were unable to bt present.
 Governor Pennypacker of Pennsylva' mia presided and introduced the Rev Edgar M, Levy, a Baptist clergyman Q. this city, who delivered the invocation l at the opening of the convention lift. years ago. He performed like servic, to-day, after which Governor Penny packer delivered an address. Among other things he said:
 "Fittingly we meet within the limits of that commonwealth in which the party had it's origin, and which, while receiving the least proportionate re ward, has ever given to it the mos continuous and effective support. Since the election of Abraham Lincoln 1T 1860. Pennsylvania has never cast ar electoral vote against candidate O the republican party for the presidency The largest majority ever received b1 a presidential candidate in America wa given In Pennsylvania to a republican.
 The governor briefly reviewed tn achievements of the republican party and, continuing, said:
 Let us not forget that the provinc of the republican party, the outcome o the highest wisdom, has been to con struct and to upbuild. Clean lines an deceney are among the latest humal acquisitions, and American life has no yet reached its farthest stage of de velopment Many gallant knight ha fought behind a rusty shield and stil has overcome his foe. Correct the evil which may have arisen in transporta
 ton, but do not forget that the syster as established has created Chicago an St. Louis, and has peopled the wes
 Cleanse wherever necessary but pre-
 serve If there be an occasional indiv | idual among us who is too rich tn policy of the republican party whic has given him his opportunity has like
 wise given comfort and solace to mi lions of prosperous people"
 Historical papers were read by Wi liam Barnes, ST, of New York, wh ) displayed flag which covered LAr ooln's bier, as his body lay in state Albany; Dr. Robert Reyburn of Wasf { angton, who attended both Lincoln an
 Garfield, and Jacob Weand of Beave
 Pa Col. A. K. Mcclure of this cit
 delivered an address on Abraham Li1
 coln," in which he reviewed the mal . tyred presidents life, and the even 5 of his lime.