Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1906-06-19
FIFTY YEARS OF
REPUBLI
Republicans of Fergus Celebrate Fiftieth Anniver-
sary of Founding Of the PartyVeterans OF Many
Campaigns and First Voters Sit Side by Side.

One of the most notable political
gatherings ever held in Fergus county
was the smoker given at the opera
house Saturday evening to celebrate
the fiftieth anniversary of the found
ing of the Republican party as a ma.
tional organization. 1t was a gather
ing worthy of so great an occasion,
and will long be remembered by all
who participated in it, and they inclui-
ed representatives from every part OF
the county. Although only general
invitation was extended, the event
appealed So strongly to the rank and
file of the party that many of those
present travelled long distances to take
part in the meeting. And all must have
felt amply repaid, for the spirit of the
occasion was such as will prove an in
spiration to all to keep the banner of
Republicanism full high advanced, and
to move on to greater achievements.
AAtOAS "SAO PAOoSAL AZ CAIo ehAAA4VCl
sary grizzled veterans who voted fifty
years ago for the Republican party's
first candidate for president-"for free
soil, free speech, free men and FIRE.
mont" and young men who cast their
first ballot for Theodore Roosevelt.
And those veterans who have battled
for Republican supremacy through the
campaigns of half century seemed
to say, eve who are passing off the
stage bid you, as the children of Is
rael encamping by the sea were bid
den, to 90 forward; We whose hands
can no longer hold the flaming torch,
pass it on to you that its clear light
may show the truth to the ages that
are to come"
The meeting showed that the Re-
publicans of Fergus are united party;
that their faith was never stronger
and that their enthusiasm was never
higher. That enthusiasm was kindled
anew as the party's record for fifty
years was presented and the illustrious
names that shine like stars in the his.
tory of the country during the past
half century were greeted with cheers
the names of Lincoln, Grant, Gar
field, Harrison, Mckinley, Roosevelt
and others. There were cheers, too,
when the names of the party leaders
in Montana were mentioned-Sanders
Carter, Mantle, Dixon and others.
The speakers were all at their best
and they were listened to with wrapt
attention. Mr.. Webster, the principal
speaker, was frequently interrupted
with applause.
The hall was tastefully but simply
decorated with bunting, and the ar
rangements, while perfect, were ex
ceedingly simple. An air of informal
ity reigned and every man in the hal
felt that he was at home. Three Ions
tables extended the entire length o.
; end, and it was supposed that this
would more than accommodate all WHIT
would attend. But the crowd wa
much larger than the committee hat
anticipated, and back of the table
another line of chairs extended clea
around the hall, every seat being oc
i. cupied.
Seats of honor were reserved nea
I the head of the table for those VIII
!, voted for John C. Fremont in 1856
8 o. w. Kelly and J.. NJ. Weldon-an'
v those who voted for Lincoln-Fran1
J. Day, George A. Parrott, Christian
Wiedeman, Griffin McHugh and M. r
Coderio. The veterans were introdut
$ ed as they took their seats by F'ranl
2 E. Smith and were warmly applaud
D ed.
An orchestra was seated upon tn
a stage and throughout the evening reI
t dered patriotic selections.
Henry N. Rae Presides.
v Henry NJ. Rae of Gilt Edge, was tn
n POSTMASTER, and he filled the positio
J. gracefully. Shortly after $3.50 he too
his seat, and at once called for thre
| CIleCIS Tile WuIC
g were given with will. Mr.. Rae the
II made a brief and very appropriate Ii
t. tie speech, in which he stated the ol
ject of the meeting. He introduced tn
S various speakers with flashes of spol
taneous wit, and kept things movin
throughout the evening. For the pa
Il so years. said Mr.. Rae, the Republica
l. party had been almost exclusively
e control of the government, and IL
e results were seen as they looked abo'
e them and beheld such prosperity
IS was not enjoyed by any other COUNT
e in the world. 1t was all the logic
ID outcome Of the policy of the Repu
r lican party, seeking always to secu
'r the greatest good to the greatest nul
d ber. In the past the Republicans wou
y find nothing to regret in the reco
OF their party. A backward CLAN
e. would show that in every crisis Il
strong hand of that party and its go'