Blue-grass blade (Lexington, Ky.), February 2, 1902
Tribute is Paid to the Memory of Thomas Paine—Meeting Continues Today.
The convention of the National Liberal party, a body of Free Thinkers, commenced yesterday morning at G. A. R. Hall, on Main street.
The convention was called to order by the temporary President, Dr. T. J. Bowles, of Muncie, Ind. W. F. Jamieson, of this city, acting as Secretary.
In opening the convention Dr. Bowles delivered a long address, the greater part of which was devoted to the denunciation of all forms of religion. J. H. Fraser delivered an address of welcome on behalf of the Ohio Liberal society. At the conclusion of Mr. Fraser’s address a constitution was adopted.
Features of today’s session will be the presence of Mrs. Josephine K. Henry, of Kentucky, who is to deliver an address on the Relation of the Church to Woman, and addresses by Dr. Moore, of Lexington, New York, and by Wood. Yesterday’s proceedings closed last evening with a memorial celebration of the anniversary of Thomas Paine.
The speakers for the occasion were Dr. J. B. Wilson, T. J. Wiscarver, of this city, and Clarence S. Darrow, of Chicago. There were between 200 and 300 persons present, and the eulogies of the works and of Paine and the principles he advocated were received with enthusiasm.
![“Reason against unreason” a 1882 illustration by Joseph Keppler and Adolph Schwarzmann shows the “Light of Reason”, containing bust portraits of “Johannes Kepler, I. Kant, Thomas Paine, Jefferson, B. de Spinoza, Franklin, Voltaire, E.H. Haeckel, Tyndall, Huxley, [and] Darwin”, beaming against a large umbrella labeled “Bigotry, Supernaturalism, [and] Fanaticism” – Library of Congress](https://thomaspaine.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Reason-against-unreason.jpg)
At the afternoon meeting the name of the organization was changed from National Liberal League to National Liberal Party, as the members desire to enter into politics.
During a spirited discussion on the change of name for the body the President, despite his previous address against all forms of religion, in an excited manner called on the members “For God’s sake to vote for the name National Liberal Party.” This caused a laugh, even Dr. Bowles joining in the merriment.
A feature of the afternoon meeting was the introduction of a number of children from the Liberal School of Science, headed by their teacher, Mrs. Fraser. They sang a holy day song and the National anthem at the opening of the proceedings.
The Executive Board has decided to go into politics, and the name of the organization was changed from the National Liberal League to The National Liberal Party, and the platform will be made public tomorrow. The party contains a large element of Socialists, and that part of the Anarchist element that believes in using moral suasion to accomplish their ends.
On the committee on platform were several men of real ability, who are leaders among the Labor organizations and who wrote the planks in the platform without any dissent. At the first night of the session to be an anniversary memorial service to Thomas Paine.
TRIBUTES TO THOMAS PAINE
There was a large audience in the evening to listen to addresses on the life and writings of Thomas Paine by Clarence S. Darrow, of Chicago, and T. J. Wiscarver, of this city.
Dr. J. B. Wilson, of this city, presented the National President for the National body a gavel made from a hickory tree that grows over the grave of Thomas Paine at New Rochelle, N. Y.
The gavel bears an inscription testifying to the new party. The presentation of the gavel was made by Dr. Wilson on behalf of the donor, Captain Lloyd, of New Rochelle, N. Y., who for the past ten years has looked after the grave of the great American. Captain Lloyd writes that there are two hickory trees growing over the grave of Paine, and that he will give several more gavels made from these trees.
Dr. Wilson followed with an eloquent eulogy on the life of Paine. He traced the effect of his writings on the early struggle for the liberty of America. Among other things he said:
“Future historians will record the fact that it was Thomas Paine who kindled and fanned the fires of revolution and planted in the heart of every intelligent man an uncontrollable desire to be free.”
Clarence Darrow delivered an eloquent address on the life and character of Paine. The speaker vividly pictured the dismal environment in which Paine lived.
He was not the only Thomas Paine nor the greatest, but he was a great Thomas Paine.
The speaker portrayed in a glowing manner the effects of Paine’s sentiment and works. If Paine lived today he believed that he would be championing the cause of the lowly and the poor as against the handful of men who own the earth and the fullness thereof.
The convention will be in session today, adjourning tonight. Officers will be elected at the morning session. Delegates will listen to addresses in the afternoon and evening.