Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1906-06-18
C. 0. P. is
NOW 90
YEARS old
Big Demonstration in 'PhiIadeI-
phia Yesterday at the CeIe-
bratiOn Going On There.
MANY VETERANS THERE
Marched and Cheered for Ten
Minutes--Men Who Voted for
Fremont in Evidence.

PHILADELPHIA,J June 1S.-MuSi-
cal Fund hall in this city was the
scene yesterday of memorial exercises
to celebrate the 50th anniversary of
the republican party. In this same
hall in 1856, General John c. Ere
mont known as 'the pathfinder, ="
was nominated to bear the standard
of republicanism as the candidate for
president of the United States, and
on that day the republican party was
born.
Yesterday afternoon more than
twenty old men, republicans, who
were present at the birth, were hon.
ored and beloved participants in yes
terdays celebration.
The services of yesterday were the
beginning of four days of celebrating
in honor of the party. The historic
hall, situated on Locust street, above
Eighth, was filled to the doors. The
stage itself. was overcrowded. The
heat was intense, but the enthusiasm
never for moment Jagged. Patriotic
speech after speech was delivered,
and the many women in the audience
joined just as enthusiastically as did
the men in the applause that follow
ed.
rhe convention is under the aus
pices of the National League of Re-
publican clubs. The president of the
league, ]. Hampton Moore, of this
city, has had the arrangements for
the convention in hand, and yester
day when he stepped to the front of
the stage, he was loudly cheered. ''If
your hearts thrill with fervor, let it
out" he said, when the cheering sub
sided. There are now coming among
you the veterans of the first great
fight, and | want you to give them a
royal welcome."
The vast audience needed no sug-
gestion to do this. Headed by the
veteran old Fremont voter, T. B. M.
the men marched in, two by
two. Some of them were so feeble
they could barely walk. Their pro-
gress into the hall was to the ac-
compartment of deafening cheers.
The faces of these men, who fifty
years ago laid the foundation of the
republican party, lit up at the tumult-
ouos greeting. Men and women noun
ted chairs and drowned out band
with their cheers as the old voters,
everyone of them past the allotted
and ten years, marched
slowly, but proudly to the seats that
had been reserved for them in the
front of the hall.
Chcered Ten Minutes.
1t was an inspiring sight. 1t was
more like the ancient greeting of
army than a welcome to
the tattered remnants of an army that
half century ago fought for political
principles with the ballot as their on
ly weapon. For ten minutes the cheer
ing kept up. Flags, handkerchiefs and
hats were waved and tossed while
their owners cheered to the echo.
Then as a fitting close to this remark
able reception the band struck up
America" in which everybody |
joined
Robert S. Murphy, the republican
nominee for lieutenant governor, led
the singing of this hymn. Carried
away by the enthusiasm of the mo-
ment, Mr.. Murphy, young but silvery
haired, strong voiced, stood towering
above his neighbors waving his arms
and singing. In a second every one
who could see him took their time
from him and before the second verse
was reached he was leading the
mighty chorus.
The hymn sung, Mr. Moore an
nounced that prayer would be said.
"Fifty years ago in this very hall,
he said, "a young Baptist clergyman
offered prayer. Today this same |
no longer young, will of
fer prayer. introduce the Rev. Ed
gar NJ. Levy, of Philadelphia.
Then the Rev. Mr.. Levy, who was
greeted with loud applause, offered
Pennypacker Chairman.
The prayer ended, there was sing |
ing by the Philadelphia quartet, and |
Mr.. Moore introduced |
Governor Pennypacker as the perma-
nent chairman. 81 notice. he said by |