Irad R.Q.4 8. Dean 11-10-25 INTRODUCTORY THE fiftieth anniversary of the birth of the Republican Party was celebrated at Jackson, Michigan, on July 6, 1904; the specking took place in an oak-grove known as Loomis Park, the site of the original convention now being covered with dwellings. An Executive Committee, representing each congressional district in the State, had the general charge of the celebration: its arrangements, its programme, and its finances. A National Committee, composed of the Michigan delegation in Congress, extended the invitations to the speakers from outside the State. The Jackson Central Committee had charge of all the arrangements pertaining to the accommodation of the people while in that city. Especial attention was paid to the Fremont Voters, to whom seats were assigned directly in front of the speakers' stand. At one time it was expected that President Roosevelt would attend the celebration; and he himself suggested that it might be fitting there to receive the notification of his nomination, in case the Chicago Convention should carry out all expectations. On Janvary 18, 1904, a large committee of citizens of Michigan, escorted by the Michigan delegation in Congress, called on President Roosevelt at the White House, and a formal invitation was extended to him by the President of the Celebration, Hon. James O'Donnell. To this invitation the President responded as follows: President Roosevelt's Address. MR. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN:-It would be impossible for me not to be deeply moved by the invitation, by the circumstances under which it is tendered, and, above all, by the cordiality and generous spirit you show in tendering it. If I can I shall come. The only reason that I cannot speak in unqualified terms of acceptance at the moment is that I have to consider so many other invitations. Many invitations are tendered to me which I would like to accept, which if it were only a question of mere personal inconvenience, I should acccept, but in which cases it is nevertheless impossible for me to do as I desire, simply because I have not the physical power. I cannot go to more than a certain number of places; but I do feel very strongly that this invitation stands by itself; that any Republican President would have to accept it unless there was the very best reason why he could not. Before sending a definite answer I shall have to consult certain of my good friends who have been begging that I should go elsewhere on or about that time to attend different meetings, three of them being semi-centennial anniversaries which are of real importance, but I am inclined. to think they are not quite of the importance that yours is. "For my good fortune I have been twice in Jackson, and have traveled through Michigan more than once, on the last occasion on a personally conducted tour; and it would be a peculiar pleasure to come on the sixth of July to Jackson, because I feel with all the strength there is in me that our ability to make the Republican Party be a live power for good in the country now, depends upon the way in which we stand for just the tendencies, just the fundamental principles, for which those men stood in 1854. Gentlemen, every man here from decade to decade faces new problems in his own life, new problems in his own business, in his own work, but he wins or he loses in each set of problems according to the degree in which he shows the tendencies which tell for success or failure in all the other problems. The conditions we face in 1904 are totally different from those in 1854. It yet remains true that we need essentially the same attributes in order to wrest good results from these conditions. "I feel that we are now carrying out policies as Americans which entitle us with clear hearts to celebrate the birth of the Republican Party fifty years ago. We have a right to appeal to what was done by the great men of the past, because we are treating the memory of their great deeds not as an excuse for our failure to grapple with the emergencies of the present, but as a spur to make us grapple with them well. "I earnestly hope that it will be in my power to accept your invitation. If I can come I certainly will. I shall let you know definitely as soon as possible. Before you go I wish to have the chance to shake hands with each of you, and now to say to all of you that you have given me heart and courage by the way you have greeted me to-day." On May 18, Fremont Voters to the number of 135, representing all portions of the State, assembled in convention at Jackson and formed an organization, with Hon. James E. Scripps, of Detroit, as President; Thomas Mars, of Berrien Springs, VicePresident; William Campbell, of Ypsilanti, Secretary, and William McPherson, Jr., of Howell, Treasurer. Addresses were delivered recalling the history of struggle which culminated in the formation of the Republican Party; and arrangements were made to attend the celebration. The President, having decided not to take part in any meetings during the campaign, deputed the Secretary of State, the Hon. John Hay, to represent the Administration. Senator Charles W. Fairbanks and Speaker Joseph G. Cannon also accepted the invitations of the National Committee. During the afternoon of July 5, Mr. Truman H. Newberry entertained a small party in honor of Secretary Hay and Senator Fairbanks, on board his steam yacht "Truant." As the yacht passed the United States steamer "Michigan," the revenue marine steamer "Morrill," and the Michigan naval brigade steamer "Yantic," each vessel fired the Secretary's salute of seventeen guns. The yacht crossed Lake Ste. Claire to the ship canal; and then returned to the Detroit Country Club, at Grosse Pointe, where Senator Alger entertained the party at dinner. Speaker Cannon was the guest of Hon. Charles E. Townsend, of Jackson. At the close of the exercises Mrs. Reynolds, of Jackson, held a reception for Governor and Mrs. Bliss and such of the guests as remained in the city. A very large number of persons participated in the celebration; the programme was carried out with no changes or delays; and the weather was propitious during the speaking. Letters of regret were received from ex-Senator Thomas W. Palmer. Senator William B. Allison, Gen. Frederick D. Grant, Hon. Robert T. Lincoln, Hon. James R. Garfield, Hon. Cyrus G. Luce and others. As a supplement to the celebration it is proposed to erect in the City of Jackson a permanent memorial suited to the event to be commemorated. The exact form which the memorial shall take, and the location of it are matters to be decided by the Committee on a Permanent Memorial. Upwards of $1,500 are now available for this purpose. A list of the officers, committees and subscribers follows the report of the proceedings. Detroit, July 29, 1904. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. |
