The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-01-30
Were Feature of the Kansas
Day Banquet.
Not Weak Number on the
Program.
TROUTMAN'S FINE EFFORT
Topeka Orator on Triumph of
Defeat.
Diekema a Polished Speaker
1000 Guests.

That olive branch so generously ex-
tended by members of the Kansas Day
club at their meeting Wednesday
afternoon, was defined at the banquet
tables few hours later while the
party leaders defined the terms of
peace pact. They welcomed the Pro-
gressives back to the fold. But they
must come as Republicans advocating
Republican principles. That was the
feature of one of the most brilliant
and perhaps politically historical BAN
quets of Kansas Republicans. About
1000 people attended the twenty Sec
ond annual feast in Masonic temple.
At the banquet tables sat Repubh-
cans of the old school, followers of
the new Progressive movement. ad-
mirers of Stubbs, of Roosevelt and
of LaFollette. And in the crowd were
a half dozen Democrats of note and
prominence in Kansas political affairs.
The Regulars of the Republican faith
were strongly in the majority and no
one disputed their right to yell at any
or all times But IT was big, good
natured crowd, even in the face of
the November unpleasantness, and
the jests which the speakers threw at
the Progressives and Democrats
Tended no one.
Away down under the wit and fun
there was a serious vein. And when
the crowd had settled down after its
first applause of the jolts for Stubbs
and Roosevelt it began to ponder sert-
ously of the future. AS one speaker
followed another and each reviewed
the records of the past, there was a
feeling in the crowd that new con-
verts were needed for the coming bat
ties. To bring these converts into the
Republican camp or recall the wan
derers was the question which Kansas
workers were urged to solve and in
solving the puzzle to yield none of the
principles sacred to the old party.
Some of the best oratorical talent in
all Kansas was used to carry this
message to the voters. AS each new
speaker was introduced, the underly-
ing plan of the 1913 banquet became
more and more evident. Get together
was the slogan urged by the Kansas
Day orators, "and yet do it without
sacrifice to convictions, traditions and
principles President K. NJ. Geddes
started the fight for another united
party in his presidents address. And
from that minute until the crowd left
the banquet hall the real purpose was
not lost sight of.
Paul S. Conwell of Kansas City, Kan,
this year the favorite native son, re-
sponded to the toast of honor, kan
sas." Not in recent years has this
address been handled with greater ease
and few Kansas Day speakers have
mixed wit and logic so ingeniously as
did the native Kansan from the mouth
of the Kaw. Conwell's jibes at the
Progressives, at the Democrats, at
Stubbs, at Roosevelt were received
with joy by the big crowd.
1t was Senator James A. Troutman,
of Topeka, who told of the "Trium-
phant Defeat of the Republican Party"
Troutman's address was one of the
greatest in the history of the club.
With all the force of his convictions,
no
banqueters as a real Republican and
yet a man who most firmly advocated
the progressive principles. Viewing the
situation from that angle, Troutman
declared that four years hence the ma
ton would see a reunited victorious
party.
Il disclaim any prophetic instinct"
said Troutman, "but applying Patrick
Henry's rule of judging the future by
the past, at the end of four years this
nation, clad in the habiliments of des-
pair, will turn to the Republican party
as inevitably as the helianthus bows
it's modest head to the rising sun for
that substance which gives 1t life and
beauty Then the victor and the van
quished will exchange places and the
harp of victory will again be played
upon the summit of Republican
achievements"
Then came W. S. Roark, of Junction
City, who responded to the toast "why
a new And Wnen the
Geary county lawyer had left the floor,
the crowd indicated approval of his
sentiments that a new party is un-
necessary, uncalled for and entirely out
of place.
1t was Fred washbon, of Anthony.
who hit the real keynote of the meet
ing in his toast, THE Constitution and
the People" Washbon welcomed the
Progressives most cordially in fact he
made it plain that any and all way
ward voters might find comfort in the
Republican harbor. But one thing
must be understood There would be
no objection to the selection of leaders.
but the foundation of bedrock prin-
ciples of the party must remain un-
shaken. Washbon proved an orator OF
more than passing note and his speech
was well received
Congressman G. J. Diekema. of Hol-
land Mich. was the guest at the BAN
quet this year He brought to Kansas
a message in which he urged the Re-
publicans to stand firm and be un-
shaken because of the temporary trou-
bles within the party and the fact that
for once the Democrats have been vic
torious The Michigan congressman
responded to the toast, THE Future OF
the Republican Party" He is an ex-
ceptional public speaker and his talk
to the Kansas Day banqueters was one
of the features of the 1918 love feast.
Just before the close of the dinner.
United States Senator Charles Curtis
was called on to speak. He declared
that in two years the Republicans
would again be in good fighting trim
and would demonstrate that they can
come back" Senator Curtis de-