The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1853-07-16
TEMPERANCE Convention.

continent. Yours in haste, &C.,
MINNESOTA.
Temperance Convention.
A largely ATTENDED Convention of the friends
of PrOhibitOry Law, was held in connection
with meeting of the Territorial Temperance
Society. at the Court House in st. Paul, on the
4th of July.
The Convention was mainly composed Of
people from Washington, Wabashaw. Ramsey
Dakotah, Hcnnepin and Benton Counties.
T. r. Cressey, President of the Territorial So
ciety, called the meeting to order, and prayer
was offered by Rev. II. NJ. Nichols.
The Report Ofthe Society's last meeting was
presented and tacitly approved.
Next followed the reading of the "Dcclara-
ton of Independence" by Professor W. Merrill
The Secretary then read a Report prepared
at the May Anniversary by Committee on
Measures, and then laid over for consideration
to-day and it was voted to take up and cOnsi-
der said Report
The 1st item of the Committees Report
which advised that the question of Prohibit
DRY Law be made test at the fall election, and
that the friends of snch law do their best to
secure the election of reliable men, was then
taken up; and the remainder of the forenoon
occupied in its discussion.
On motion of Mr.. Neill a Committee of three
-Messrs. Neill, Mcmillan and Marvin-was APP
pointed to prepare a substitute for the old
Committees Report, which was deemed too
lengthy.
Adjourned to II, Pm.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Report of the forenoon proceedings was
read.
The Committee not being yet prepared to re-
port. the Constitution of the Society was circu-
In tod for aftprac tI
ton was addressed by Mr.. Hodsllon.
Committee now reported two resolutions the
first expressing sOlicitudc that political parties
may nominate such candidates for the Lcgisla-
turc as will advocate the greatest good of the
greatest number; the second advising that, in
case men properly representing the temperance
sentiment should not be nominated by the par
ties, Temperance men should take measures to
secure a representation.
The first resolution was amended by adding
the clause, by supporting law for the sup
preston of traffic in intoxicating drinks" and
inserting another mentioning that this Conven-
ton was composed of men Of all parties"
The resolutions were still objected to by va
rlOus individuals as indefinitc-as expressing
too much respect for political partics--and as
impcrlling the cause, by leaving the friends of
the law to make their nominations at too late a
date.
MIR. Riheldaffer presented a substitute, which.
as it finally prevailed, is here given in full, as
follows:
RESOLVED, That the Temperance men in every
Precinct and every Council District throughout
the Territory. be advised to act in concert
among themselves; either securing the nomina-
ton of the right men on the tickets of their re-
spectve political parties: or preparing a sepa-
rate ticket or voting with the party which NAV
nominate temperance men ;--cdsfing no scat
ferng cote. and casting no rOfe ercept for
KNOWN and RELIABLE friends Of a ProAi6ito,y
Lar.
Mr.. Brown, recently from Buffalo, presented
substitute for the substitute His resolution
proposed that the Convention proceed to Or
game a" Republican Temperance Party for
the election of a Legislature and other officers
favorable to PrOhibitory Law
Mr.. Browns resolution. though accented by
the Convention. and entertained with much ia
vor. was lost when the question of adoption
was put. The leading argument against il was
that instead oil uniting, it would divide the
friends of temperance, and would create a need
less prejudice.
Mr.. Riheldaffer's substitute was now taken
up, and passed almost unanimously.
80 the final and harmonious action Of the
convention leaves the friends of the Liquor
Law in each Precinct to follow such q course as
may seem most judicious in their respective To-
calitlcs--only recommending them to unite
their strength in some form upon reliable men.
This. as was expected. was the great question
OF the day and while the animated and pro-
tractcd discussion exhibited variety of views
as to measures. it is worth noting that there was
no luminosity in the debates, and no rupture of
feeling at the decision and every voice Except
perhaps One) and every vote indicated the in
tense sOictudc of the Convention for the re-
movai OF the traffic in Intoxicating poisons, and
their full conviction of the need of a Prohibit
DRY Law. twill be among the things to he
at, if that Convention has not maslc
a mark on the future.
The discussions over there remained time for
but one of the set addresses provided by the
Executive Committee !; and that--dclvered by !
5: }. Mcmillan. Esq. of Stillwatcr--was an able |
vlndicaton of the moral and legal propricty of
the great measure which had called the Con- |
rcntion together though it is to be regretted !
that the assembly had grown too weary to an !
prcciatc it as it deserved.
1t was voted that Mr. EIwcll who was tobave |
spoken to-day, be invited to address the Con-
vcntion at its next session: which next session
at the suggestion of DIR. Murphy, is to he held |
at ST. Anthony.
The convention adjourned to meet on the 9Th |
'f October; but those who proposed and sup
ported the above date, have since regretted that
I is so late and it is not improbable that the
En- Com. will take the responsibility of convok-
ng the next Convention some time in Scptem-
Der, especially if the people of st. Anthony so
'equcst.
7. r. CREsSEY, President.
j. ): G G. w S1HrH: r1ee Presidents.
:. q. AMEs, Secretary.