Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1856-06-28
TERRITORIAL ITEMS. i
Correspondence Of the Times

REPUBLICAN CONVENTION AT GLENCOE,
JUNE IL, 1856.
SPEECH OF A. J. BELL, ESQ. e." f'"se'
Convention met at 10 O'Clock. Calledt to order
by Jas. Philips, Esq, of Glencoe. A. jackson
Bell was appointed President. After taking the
Chair, and stating the objects of the Convention,
he remarked as follows: ....-- .
Feliow Citicens,- The present gathering togeth-
er of the citizens If Mcleod County, is one of
thrilling interest," from the fact that it is the NJ
cleus around which Freemen gather for the pur-
pose of uniting their influence and keeping un-
furled, even in this far-of land, the Banner of
Freedom. And while We, as citizens of this quiet
aud happy land, are enjoying the blessings of
civil and religious liberty, We would not be uu-
mindful of our suffering brethren in our sister
Territory; zoe could MOI. forget them if IRE could.
The beautiful prairies of Kansas, consecrated to
Freedom by the most solemn promises, and
pledged by the representatives of this mighty
Nation to be forever free, are the theatre Of
bloodshed and carnage, and the blood Of Free
men is mingled with the soil. Wives are made
widows, and children orphans; AMI while the
outrases are being committe! with IMMUNITY. an
impotcnt and weak administration, trucking to
power it seeks to secure, actually remains pas
sivc, anl winkS ut this sacrifice of national faith
and plghted VOWS. 1t is Tor us, as citizens of
Minnesota, to say whether this fair Territory
shall lie accessory TO the foul deeds now being
prrpetrated or whether We shall express our alb
horrcnce of the acts BY selecting men Tor Repre-
scntatiyes in taa next Territorial Legislature,
vhn hv their yOfps iii shny IN ,l,a ,,,,
repuiiatc the Kansas Nebrdssa BIZ, and sym
ptthisc most d 'epy with the freemen of Kansas,
AMI men who not afraid to vote for the per-
petuation Of Freedom.
The organization.of the Republican party of
Mcleod County, is small Affair." 1t is no CHI
mercal problem it is one of vital Importance.
This County is at present strongly Republican !;
ii must exert Il controlling influence over other
new Counties to b. settled West, and if the Re-
publican party acts with pru lcnce, she can hold
the political power and direct and control the
political affairs of this section of Minnesota.
Having a large majority, she can justly claim
the right to select men for Offices for trust and
profit who are known to be true. and who will
advance the great object that scclns to engross
the attention of Freomcn everywhere.
assure YOU, Fellow Citizens, that if under
stand the principles of the Republican party,
they 30 not proscrib. any man for dilfer;n. with
him in his opinions, be they what they may. The
o ject is. to select good and true men for Offices,
and those who hold the doctrine that Slavery
shall never, with their consent curse another foot
of Territory, and thus spread It's baucfu inhu-
encc over the virgin soil of any land opened for
.rtlem"nt - that slave labor shall never be
brought in contact with free labor in any of tie
new Territories, but ho,l;n. the doctrine that
Manu1l labor is honorable for tn, lrarneI rs well
the uni armed: for those high in Official life
as we'll rs the peasant; that general system Of
education among the masses is the only safeguard
Of Republic. In other great cardinal points
agree with or ID moe ri.tic brcthrcn,- Il
liberal policy should be pursued, such rs will
produce the greatest good to the greatest num-
Der but in ORDER to cnli-htcn those who seek to
oppose the progress Of free pr ncipleS now spread
in, all over this land couSccra,ei to Freedom.
NC give some of cur leading sentiments:
1t. Opposition t, ali .onicl lords and mon
led m"nnpolicS.
ID. No more Slave States to be added to our
Union.
81. No union of Church and State.
4tI. Protection to the RICH; Of all men to wor-
ship God according to the dictates of inIi, idua
conscience.
9th. No prescription Of good and patriotic men
on account of birth place.
9Th. The i'm provcm.Et of home manufactures,
and their pr otccion by ii suitable tar.f.
9TH. The Improvement, bv means of appropria-
tons from the General Govcrnmpnt, of The Riv-
and liza ors Of this Great Nor h West.
Sia A general and Efficient sls In of Educa-
ton, with the free use of Bibles in all our
Schools, without note or comment.
9TH. The passage OF "A Prohibit0fy Lur,r Law
IN the Territory Of Minnesota, ut as cary day
possible.
These, Fellow Citizens, have been adopted by
the Republicans Of the County of Mcleod, and
although We 20 before the world, STYLED by the
Ioun. America, called Mo lern Democracy, Black
Republicans, yet have the consolation of
knowing that their saving doe, not make it SO.
We go before the world and by the world to Lc
judged. and either to stand or fall. Our motto
is-'' Principles, not mcn.''
Fellow Ciliz,ns, let vigilance be our watch
word-hlrmony our motto-liberal when conss-
tent with honor-iiust to all conditions of our I'M
fortunate race. LIT the deliberations of THIS
Convention be characterised by good order and
mutual friendly feeling; let us be sure to start
right in this now country, and pursuing with
steady aim high and noble object, victory
will perch upon our Banner! Mcleod County
will be an ornament to this fair Territory The
principles of freedom and the blessings of free
institutions will 90 hand in hand, and this prairie
my then DC Gale truly Republican.
County Committee was then appointed. con-
sistinS Of Henry Elliott, James Philips e. Chan
dicr, Il. f Mcsscr and X. +. Grinshaw.
Precinct Vigilance Committees rs follows =
Glencoe Prec;nct-B. +. Buck, John Hubbard
and w. 5. Chapman. Lake Add Precinct-R.
4. Grinshaw, Joseph Lewis and - White
Hutchinson Prccinct--E. l. johnson, James Nut
tie and K. PcnSfaast.
The Committee appointed to draft Resolutions
reported the following -
ReSolred, That the time has come when it is
proper and expedient (and we therefore now pro-
cccd) to organize ourselves into Republican
party for the county of Mcleod, and invite all
the friends Of freedom to CO. operate with us in
advancing the principles Of the same.
Resolred, That all men are created equal and
are endowed by their Creator with iha,ienable
rights to life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happi-
ness. of which no man can be deprived by right
full legislation, except for crime. And that it is
the first duty Of government to protect those
rights.
Resolred, That regard the repeal Of the
Missouri Compromise as a violation of national
faith. reproach to us free people, and We,
therefore, demand its restoration.
Resoircd, That the attempt now being made
into ,f.It 20