The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-09-29
Proceedings

Of the Mass Temperance Conrention, held al ST, IN.
heny, Sqt. 9Th, 1854.
The Convention, composed of a large delegation
frGm ST, Paul, together with citizens from Saltwater
representing the st. Croix vaey--iIom Hennepin
and Scott counties, embracing the beautiful connry
between and bordering on the Mississippi and Mime
sofa rivers and from the up and down river counties,
assembled with the citizens Of St. Anthony, promptly
the hour OF 10 A. NJ, in the grove the Uni
versity, the ground previously made ready tot tae
occasion,
The weather, for the past week had been dark and
lowering, but now 4, ominJus oi the DI sht and
cheering fatusefor the triumph of right wrong
the clouds and show had passed away, and left
clear sky with mild. beuiguant spn, 10 cheer and
make glad the hearts Of those present an the oaca-
sion.
The delegation from ST. Paul were escorted to the
ground by company Of St. Aathonys chiyaroGs
Young on hoi iseback, and there received with be-
fitting music by the band.
The Convention was called 10 order by he appoint
ment Of Rev. J.. Il. Cressey; OF 81. Pasi, Presi-
dent, Col W cox and Capt Ho.conbe, Of Saltwater
: Wee Presidents, 1. Elwel', % ST. Anthony, Sec
retary, and H. Marvin, OF ST. Paul, Assistant Sccre
tagy.
! PRAYER was offered by Rev. Mr. Hall, Of Prescott
The President, upon taking the chair, made some
interesting and tocbIe remarks upon the char Iacer
and purposes of the meeting
Ga motion, committee Of five upon resolutions,
we're appointed BY the char, consisting of j. W
! North and Reg I. Seccombc, Of ST. ANTHONY, Mr.
Marvin, OF ST. Pau, Rev. Mr.. Webber, OF Sulwa
ter, aod Mr. Messer, ol liennepin.
While the committee were absent, short speech
was made by Mr.. Ta,ner, Of Gaena He undertook
to 20 back 6lty-sA years, and introduced himself as
the old Yankee, or the man " no had been drunk d
thousand times. His experience as a fumseiier and
drDker in the past nced him .. the necessity Of
a pmhibiiory law,
! 4 letter was read by the Secretary, from Rev. f.
/ II NJ - ,l cT hal h
couid he p esent the ConvcaIon, an AXE part
~ It's deliberations. He, however, assured them thai
Though absent in body he should yet be present in
spirit and earnestly hoped that the proceedings wopld
/ be characterized by due zeal, by sound wisdom, and
hy the adoption of such should result IN
{ tight and efficient action.
Remarks subsequently made by 7. Elweii, of
| St. Anthony, l.. Moict, OF 81. Paul, and Rev. Mr.
Whitney, of Minneapolis. Mr.. Motfct awet paFtcu-
aiy upon the reciprocal Influences Of corrupt poli-
cIans and foreigners upon each other. The eviden-
around uS that such influences wora now ac-
tually woik sGbver the basis OF institutions.
Mr.. Whitney had no Gords to spend except directly
in reference OF political action tha, should
be adopted by temperance men. He was prepared,
for one, strike off from his ticket, doubtful Demo-
Gratis and doubtful Wings, and place thereon good
and sound men--men who would scorn to do evil,
corrupt act and would give to their constituents the
right kind of laws, such wholesome and
necessary. a comp psete triumph can be secured by
such course.
The chairman Of the committee resolutions, J.
w. North, Esq, reported the following:
| Resolved, As the sense Of this convention. that
the welfare of Territory, the interest and safety
Of our citizens, as well the of virtue and
morality, demands the enactment and enforcement Of
a law prohibiting the traffic in IL toxcatins drinks.
Resolved That it is dav Is citizens to vote in
accordance with our principles, and as we regard a
prohbitory liquor law important than any Other
TO the welfare and utme prosperity Of Territory,
IL is our duty only for such represent
in the Legislature, sge kpown TO be in laYor Of
! the enactment Of such a law.
! Resolved, That If either Of the political parties or
union Of the liquor Of both parties, shall
nate candidates who are known 10 be in favor OF
such law, ii IS the duty of temperance men with
hold their support from such cand dates, and 10 unite
10 the support of s..ch men viii obey the expressed
will Of III peop(e by the cnacting Of such law.
The resolutions were received By the Convention,
and the committee discharged,
The hour for dinner had nov arrived, and after
listening to the excellent music, performed by Law
rence's Brass Band and the vocahsts present-who
had before fully contributed their quota Of soul-strsng
strains to the enlvening Of the morning hours-and
receiving tie directions Of the Marshal {SheriG
Brott,) as 10 the order Of proceeding, the company,
preceded by the officers Of the day, repaired in pro-
cession the Widespread tables, short distance of
The dinner plenieous and bouutiiul, and showed
clearly the efficiency Of The committee of arrangements,
as well as the cordisl cooperation Of the ladies'
throug hout the town.
A hurried glance the table after the repast WAS
over, gave convincing evidence that its merits were
| app ecia;ed.