Published: April 28, 2007 12:05 am      

Republicans reflect on party history

Mourdock gives speech at 100th annual Lincoln Day Dinner

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