[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 85 (Friday, June 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING FOUNDING FATHERS OF CITY OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. NICK SMITH

                                   of

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 17, 2004

  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
Founding Festival of the City of Jackson, Michigan. This celebration 
commemorates the 175th anniversary of the founding of the City of 
Jackson, Michigan, and the 150th anniversary of the meeting ``Under the 
Oaks,'' the first convention of the Republican Party.
  New Yorker Horace Blackman arrived at what is now Jackson on July 
3rd, 1829. On July 4th, he staked out his 160-acre claim along the 
banks of the Grand River. Named for President Andrew Jackson, the 
village also known as Jacksonburgh and Jacksonopolis grew quickly, and 
became a hub of commerce and transportation in southern Michigan. It 
became the terminus of the Michigan Central Railroad, which helped to 
spur economic growth in the region, and served as a starting point for 
pioneers heading west.
  Jackson has played an important role in defending our country. It was 
the first city in Michigan to muster troops for the Civil War, and made 
significant contributions to the war effort during WW II, manufacturing 
materiel and supplies.
  Jackson was a leader in the automotive industry, with 23 different 
cars manufactured in the City, including the ``Jackson'' automobile. 
Both Buick automobiles and Ritz Crackers were originally manufactured 
in Jackson. Gilbert's Chocolates, Sparton Electronics, and the All-Star 
Dairy also call Jackson home.
  July 6, 2004 marks the 150th Anniversary of the Under the Oaks 
meeting in Jackson, MI. On this day in 1854, the name ``Republican'' 
was used in affiliation with a political party for the first time in 
the history of the United States of America. With its seeds sown at 
meetings in Ripon, Wisconsin; Friendship, NY; and Bangor, Maine, the 
movement took root at the meeting in Jackson, adopting a platform, 
nominating candidates, and formally adopting the name ``Republican.''
  Called to the City of Jackson by Charles V. DeLand, editor of the 
Jackson American Citizen newspaper, thousands of former Whigs, 
FreeSoilers, disgruntled Democrats, and others assembled in Jackson to 
consider further anti-slavery actions. The call was taken up by 
newspapers throughout the state to meet on the 6th of July 1854. The 
crowd of more than 3,000 quickly filled Bronson Hall to overflowing, 
and the meeting adjourned to the oak grove on Morgan's Forty, at what 
is now the corner of Franklin and Second streets. At this meeting 
``Under the Oaks,'' the first Republican platform was passed, the first 
Republican candidates were nominated, and the name ``Republican'' was 
formally adopted. It is only fitting that this city, that also played 
an important role in the Underground Railroad, is where the first 
political platform calling for the abolition of slavery would be 
adopted. Thus was born the Grand Old Party.
  At the time of year that we celebrate the founding of the United 
States of America, it is my great honor to recognize the founding of 
Jackson, Michigan, a truly American city born on the fourth of July, 
and of that Grand Old Party, the Republicans.

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