The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-04-07
Proceedings Of the Republican Convention, held
In St. Antheny, March 29th and: 30th.
THURSDAY MORNING SESSION.

Asa Keith was appointed Chairman, and J.
F. Bradley and H. P. Pratt, Secretaries.
On motion, q Committee of five were ap-
pointed to nominate permanent officers of the
Convention, which Committee consisted Of Geo.
A. Nourse, John W. North Nathl. M'Lean, Levi
Nutting and W. D. Babbitt.
Voted that Committee of seven be appoint
ed to draft series of Resolutions. viz. Messrs.
B. F. Hoyt, H. P. Pratt, J. W. North, Eli Petit
john, G.. a. Nourse, W. B. Babbitt and -
Bigelow.
Pending e-report Of the Committee, short
speeches were made by Messrs. Bristol, Muir
doch, Perkins, North, MLean and NuttiDg.
Adjourned to II o'clock, at the Methodist
Church.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev.
Mr.. Seccombe.
The report of the Committee on nominating
permanent officers for the Convention was ac-
cepted and adopted, as follows:
w. r. MARSHALL, President; Messrs. Nath.
M'Lean, Asa Keith, A. P. Lane, Porter Nut
ting, Eli Pettijohn, R. P. Upton. Vice Presi-
dents Messrs. H. P. Pratt and J. F. Bradley,
Secretaries.
The President, on taking the chair, returned
thanks to the Convention in a short and peril
nent speech.
A series of resolutions were reported by the
Committee. Report accepted, and Committee
discharged.
Voted to consider and vote upon the resolu-
tions in detail.
The first and second resolutions were adopt
ed unanimously, after discussion by Mcssrs.
Babbitt Creighton, Nourse, Bristol, Perkins
and Nutting.
The third resolution was stricken out, and
the following adopted in its stead
RESOLVED, That the Fugitive Slave Act Of
1850 is unconstitutional in its character, op-
pressve and unjust in its operation, and dan
gerous to the domestic tranquility, and ought
therefore to be repealed.
Voted that Committee of seven be appoint
ed by the Chair, to call Convention at some
future day, n: st. Paul, for the purpose of con-
summating the organization and nominating
candidates for Office. The President subse-
quently announced the following as the names
of that Committee :--Messrs. N. M'Lean, r.
Chute, w. Bristol, DR.. Childs, H. NJ. Nichols, A.
p Lane and J. S. Mann. W. II. Marshall's
name was subsequently added as Chairman OF
that Committee.
Voted that Committee Of five be appointed
to draft an address to the people of this Terri
tory, as follows :--Messrs. c. G. Ames, J. w.
Bass, b. F. Hoyt. o. F. Perkins and S. Bigelow.
Adjourned till O'Clock in the evening
EVENING SESSION.
The meeting opened with prayer by Rev. Mr..
Creighton.
Music--Marseilles Hymn by B. e. Messcr
Voted to amend the fourth resolution, by
striking out the word introduction" and in
serting "existence."
Moved by Mr.. Murdoch that the resolution be
further amended, by striking out the word
"forever."
Mr.. Nourse moved to amend the amendment,
so that the resolution should read as follows
Resolved, That it is the right and duty Of
Congress to refuse admission to any new Slave
State. whose constitution does not prohibit for
ever the existence of slavery therein.
A heightened discussion ensued, participated
in by numerous gentlemen, during which mo-
ton to adjourn till O'Clock on Friday morn
ing, was made and carried.
FRIDAY MORNING SESSION.
Opened with prayer by Rev. Mr.. Seccombe.
Minutes of yesterdays proceedings were
read by the Secretary and accepted.
The question before the Convention was Mr..
Nourse's amendment to the 4th resolution. Mr.
Murdoch withdrew his amendment, and Mr..
Nourse renewed his.
After discussion, the amendment was reject
ed, and the question recurring On the original
resolution, it was adopted.
Mr.. G. c. Ames, Chairman of the Committee
on an Address to the People, read the report
and Address of the Committee, which was ac-
cepted and unanimously adopted.
Voted to limit the time occupied by each
speaker to five minutes.
The 5th, 9th, 7th and Sth resolutions were
passed unanimously and without discussion.
Voted to amend the 9th resolution by in
serting the word constitutional" in the first
clause. After discussion, the resolution so
amended was unanimously passed.
A resolution mo. 10y embracing series of
principles and measures to he advocated by the
Republican Party, was offered by Mr.. Ames.
read once, and ordered to lie on the table.
Two resolutions, drafted by Mr.. Babbitt, and
introduced by the Committee-asserting the
Declaration of Independence to be a part of the
law Of the land, and also assert
ing that Congress is bound "to guarantee to
every State Republican form of government"
and give practical effect to those provisions of
the Constitution which forbid the States to
pass any bill Of attainder," or "any law
impairing the obligation of contracts" or to
suspend the right of habeas corpus" or "trial
by jury."-were laid upon the table.
Mr.. Levi Nutting was appointed Committee
Of Finance.
The preamble to the resolution, after being
amended was unanimously adopted.
A resolution (No. 1D endorsing the decision
Of Judge Smith, of Wisconsin, was offered by
Mr.. Day, and adopted unanimously.
Adjourned one hour.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON SESSION.
Opened with prayer by Rev. Mr.. Whitney.
Minutes read aud approved.
Voted that rcsolnfion M IN IN toLor c.o,,