Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1913-12-26
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
Of Hon. Fred d. Connolley, Newly
E'ected President of the Buckeye
Republican Club of Columbus, Ohio,
December 18th, 1913.

Inspired by the history of the big
achievements of the Republican par
ty during it's half-century tenure of
power and the majestic march of
progress made by this country during
that period, l contend that the use
fulness of the Republican party is
not at an end.
Having in mind it's great achieve
ments from the suppression of re-
bellion of an armed force of one mil
lion men; from the reconstruction of
the Union after that rebellion into
the greatest country on earth; from
the transformation of four million
black men from slavery to citizenship;
from the liberty and justice accord
ed to 100000 people in Cuba; from
the blessings of civilization which it
has extended to 100000 people of
Porto Rico and to 100000 yellow
men in the Philippines and from the
greatest prosperity and opportunities
which it has made possiblewin our
own country, contend that the Re-
publican party has not outlived it's
day.
The Republican party had it's
birth in opposition to human oppres-
sion and it's work is far from finished.
The principles of the Declaration of
independence "that all men are Gre
ated equal" finds a new significance
and a new application at this time
| when the social and industrial well
fare of the masses is the paramount
issue of the day.
| Being firm in the conviction that
the real reforms of tomorrow must
be entrusted for final solution to the
great mass of voters composing that
party, l say that the Republican par.
ty is the logical agency through
which to bring about these reforms
If this government "of the people
by the people and for the people" Il
to be success, it must be responsive
at all times to the popular will ane
our officials must be imbued with the
highest ideals and the utmost integ
rity of purpose.
The dangers of the present day car
only be averted by faithful per
formance of every promise made, ant
the execution of our laws must b,
just and impartial and punishmen
must be meted out to those who vio
late them.
Thorough response to the demands
of the people is the biggest asset an.
political party can have. New issue
are born of time and progress and w
should allow no party to out-do u
in striving for their solution.
The Republican party was born il
deposition to human slavery and tina
spirit still spurs US on to higher en-
deavor.
The rank and file of the Republican
party is still irrevocably opposed t
servility, to misrule or to false lead
arship and notice is now served tina
the fight against the self-seeke
whether individual or individuals, j
on and will be prosecuted to the enc
The Declaration OF Independence i
still the spirit of our people; the citi
zen is still the sovereign, the officia
still the servant and no power shoul
be exercised except by will of tn
people.
That the Republican party in re
cent years has not been as responsive
to the will of the people as it shouf
have been is unfortunate. It's man
agement was lacking in progressive
ism and the rebuke of 1912 was
well-deserved protest against exist
ing conditions, which the rank an
liit az Siilo 1iiilC P1OPOoC W IOluCOy.
1t is not my desire to deal harshl
with the mistakes OF yesterday. ]
is my purpose to serve notice tina
!, the new Republicanism of today real
ICES them, has fixed the responsible
ity and being ever mindful of then
turns with confidence to the big prob
lens of tomorrow.
A new era has dawned in this coun
try. In its tremendous growth tn
|; social and industrial welfare of tn
masses has to a considerable exten
been lost sight of. The demand o
) the day, which we recognize, is fo
equal opportunity and equal justic
for all.l Every individual, class an
!. interest must understand and assum
their Just responsibility to their fel
low man, and every individual, clas
and interest must toe that marx
True prosperity means that ever
man shall share equ1tably in it's bless
ings and true prosperity will neve