LOGANSPORT — Celebrating the 100th annual Lincoln Day Dinner Friday night, the Cass County Republican Central Committee focused on history, not only on the dinners it has held in the past but also the history of the president for which the dinner is named.
Indiana State Treasurer and historical enthusiast Richard Mourdock gave the keynote speech for the evening on the political unrest Abraham Lincoln endured during his presidency. His remarks alluded to similar discontent surrounding the sitting president and he urged the Cass County Republicans to continue in their support for the party members.
“We now live in a uniquely difficult moment,” he said in his speech. “... There are people that are saying ‘It isn’t worth it,’ but if we aren’t willing to do something, who will?”
Speaking to a few hundred people at the dinner, the longest consecutive Lincoln Day Dinner in the country, Mourdock spoke of how Lincoln was a long-shot even to win the party’s nomination and how his election with just 40 percent of the vote only strengthened the doubts of the citizens during one of the most tumultuous times in the country’s history.
Mourdock made a particular point of discussing the riots that broke out in New York City in July 1863 after Lincoln instated a draft to reinforce the military after the massive losses of Northern troops at Gettysburg.
“Throughout the long history of mankind, there have been thousands of battles and hundreds of wars ... but until that moment, there had never been a great army put onto the field to win someone else’s freedom,” said Mourdock.
Though the notion was unpopular at the time, Mourdock discussed the significance it has had on the country’s military campaigns ever since.
In rounding out his remarks, Mourdock made reference to the unpopularity of President George W. Bush has dealt with over the United State’s dealings in Iraq.
“Congress thinks that we’re doing things that are unprecedented, but now you know that there is a precedence,” Mourdock said.
Before Mourdock took the lectern, former Cass County Republican Chairman Don Heckard opened the presentation with a brief history of the event’s 100-year history, mentioning some of the distinguished guest speakers and noting some of the high points for Cass County Republicans through the years.
But the night wasn’t all about history. Joyce Smith, the Second District Republican chairman, introduced congressional hopeful Luke Puckett who spoke enthusiastically about the chance to challenge Democratic incumbent Joe Donnelly.
“Change is on its way,” Puckett said.
Carla Knapp can be contacted at (574) 732-5150 or via e-mail at carla.knapp@pharostribune.com
Local News
Republicans reflect on party history
<b>Mourdock gives speech at 100th annual Lincoln Day Dinner</b>
- Local News
-
-
Divine decade
Linda Hoffman remembers walking in to the building that houses Emmaus Mission Center Homeless Shelter more than 10 years ago.
-
County ambulance talks continue
Cass County officials met with another private firm last week as they explore which way to go with the county’s obligation to provide ambulance service.
-
City to consider reducing tipping fee
Logansport City Council members plans to discuss decreasing the amount the city receives in tipping fees from Oak Ridge Recycling and Disposal Facility at a special meeting tonight.
-
Caston officials discussing $2 million in capital projects
Caston School Corp. officials are eyeing a new bus barn and parking lots as they consider spending about $2 million on capital projects.
-
The state option: Local educators unsure of impacts of ‘No Child’ waiver
Indiana last week received a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind act, but local superintendents say the move may just swap one rigid set of guidelines for another without addressing educators’ frustrations.
-
Filings in: Three Republican primaries
Cass County Republicans will cast ballots in three races in the May 8 primary, while Democrats will vote on who to send to the state convention.
-
Logansport officials: Wireless plan not dead
Logansport City Council members last week nixed funding of a $850,000 wireless project approved late last year, but officials say the project is not completely off the radar.
-
Miami County officials say they knew of company’s past issues
Reports that a Texas-based company owed more than $500,000 in back taxes, was behind on its rent and had an executive indicted surfaced about a year before corporate leaders began discussing an expansion to Miami County.
-
Dean Baldwin’s past includes tax payment problems, indictment of executive
An aircraft service provider expanding to Miami County had a blur of bad publicity a few years before announcing its plans to come to the area.
-
Principal: Lewis Cass student attacked with piece of wood
A Lewis Cass Junior-Senior High School freshman remained hospitalized Friday after being attacked by a classmate with a piece of wood, the school’s principal said.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
Coroner: Houston Autopsy Results Weeks Away
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
