Evening journal., 1907-12-04
What | Know About
Delaware Politics and
Other Things
THlRrY-FouRTH ARTICLE.
BY Washington Hastings

After my unsuccessful effort TO sent a delegate
to the Republican National Convention Cincinnati in
ity had about reached its meridian and declinEs
slowly and gradually perhaps but surely towards its set
ting in the west am free TO confess that regretted
this because having to work pretty steadily and hard in
those days politics about my only Of amuse
ment and recreaton-ouside of what got at my home
with my family and my books-and 1 loath to give
It up much less to take back seat So along about
1877 In casting about to discover line of usefulness in
which might prohtably employ some of my surplus
energy and leisure, hit upon scheme TO recover and
reclaim the Eighth ward Of this city for the Republican
party and re-estabish the Republican majority there to
which believed it to be rghtfuly entitled but which
IL had never been able 10 develop and since the
municipal election Of 1874 when IL went heavily Demo-
cratic, and for which dire calamity held to be
largely responsible.
TO this one Saturday afternoon gathered around
me few of my emploves-good active Republicans who
always responded when called for hep-and proposed
TO them 10 Canvas the neighborhood and especially the
other iron works in the vicinity and renting suitable
room for the purpose organize club for political head
quarters ana pr marching purposes In eampaigns-a
form Of political activity much In in those days
among the young of both parties, and Of the
old Ones too for that matter
The proposition geefully accepted at once; and in
short time club OF something two hundred mem-
bers was enrolled suitable meeting rented and
comfortably Notwithstanding table and little ele
Nated rosrum Tor the president-and everything in
good running ready anything political
line that might turn on the night of the first meet
ing for organization not present but learned early
the next morning reaching place of business that
the organization Of the club had formally and duly taken
place that had been elected its president
been called by my name. 1 promptly declined the first
honor for remembered that "oo much honor load
would sink navy" but took upon my shoulders the
latter distinction and It gracefully as could for
the three or four years Of the clubs existence That
existence similar TO all such organizations They
held meetings every night summer and winter AS one
Of the older members said TO shortly after the
zaton I'VE meet worse than revival every nght except
They had plenty of good wholesome literature of the Re-
publican variety such as newspapers pamphlets and
speeches Of senators and congressman the "tarin
plenty Of hat-and other public questions, and they
argued and debated" and made speeches and settled
fted Orafo
from up town to come down and address them
marched in parades arrayed In their cans ana canes and
armed with their torch lights and best Of all did the
asked of hem they redeemed the Eighth ward for all
all the old Hastings Guard was good honest con-
scentous body of rugged Republicans many of them
ceedlngy valuable adjuncts in political campaign and
as whole, political organization that any might
we'll be proud TO have called by his
After about three years, however genuine interest
and diversion in this particular line began find
little monoonous, not 10 say irksome in some respects
and looked about for to shift least divide
the glory as wen as the responsibility Of the Guard
soon found that this thing 60 do Disband-
ing and dissolution were not to be thought OF; combna
ton with some other of the various clubs of the city
That club in the estimation of its members. was par
excellance the head Of the heap and afation with
ton not 70 be listened to for minute; so the
problem before me seemed 10 be exceedingly difcut
and perpeNing one TO work out
way however, seemed. provldentially or otherwise
to open number Of active Republicans, myself among
the number. about this time organized Repubi-
can club with headquarters Market street which
which the proposition offer General Grant the
nomination OF the party for third received
and advocated by many Republicans all coun-
try, we christened the organization "rhe Grant
Club proposed the old Guard" they merge
themse res into that club thinking that the name would
catch them but it didn't Some OF them consented to
do so but many cid not and continued "do at
the old stand" Seventh street Spruce many
years. and would not be surprised If were
there yeti At rate the other day. meeting an old
friend of that club the street-a former employe-
he said TO me- "Boss don't forget the old ia your
pieces and have not FORGOTTEN them never shali
Apropos Of the Grant Club" would say that IL was
strong and influential organization our
local Republican politics for about years march,
ed about 300 strong in the
ton which rendered TO General Grant Phadelphia
on his return from his journey the world had
the honor of marching its head president every
step Of the long regarded Il one of the
proudest acts Of my life, and regard II now.
The Grant Club eventually dishanded make way for
the present "Noung's Mems Republican Club" of this
city which o7rainy the strongest most influential
Republican club tat existed in this State and prob
ably any political party.
As the time for the Republican National Convention Of
1850 approached again had intense-it might under
the circumstances almost be called insane-desre 10
a delegate and vote General Grant But re-
membered 1876 and refraned making the attempt
which would probably have been a futile one If I had
made it and been successful in my effort the inn
mortal 300 would be 307 and my would be enrolled
among the number and that ought be glory enough for
any politician big little II certainly would be for mel
To h rorffr