New-York tribune., 1872-06-20
POLITICAL CONVENTIONS.
THE MINNESOTA DEMOCRATS.


CT pam lime ia full representation of the
Minnesota Democracy came together at noon to-day
Cor the purpose not only of selecting delegates TO
Baltimore. but for the final definition Of the Demo-
crstie sentiment Of the State. Afu and lntelelole
interchange OF sentiment had been made last nlght
and this morning and when the delegates convened
there was little doubt to the attitude OF the party
The recognized leaders, who have IN recent cam
paipns held somewhat aloOf from active partlclpa-
ton were present in force, and TO certain extent
inspired the action of the Convention in its out
spoken pronunciation for Reform and Liberahty.
A recognized leader of the party, the Hon. Edmund
Rice the Chairman of the State Central Committee,
called the proceedings into operation and delivered
O short address significant of the temper and dspo-
sition of the gathering. He recognized the great
change of sentiment which coming upon
the country and the revolution which was turning
the Democratic party from worshipor OF the past
and intrusting it with mission Of reform tor lne
future He had felt the pulse of the party, ana ne
could testify to it's eanestness and loyalty IN the
great contest now opening to the friends OF honesty
The delegates bent mainly on one purpose, maze 10
ohieoton 70 the written appointment of committees
&c and the Convention made temporary ADJOURN
ment until afternoon. to give the various commit
tees opportunity TO arrange the matters ntrused 10
them. The Committee on Resolutions had been dis
sslssed with great deal Of anxiety, and the result
WAS an admirable combination of the very strongest
men in the party selected from the entire STATE
OF course, everything depended on the resonuons'
and the more outspoken country delegates
who avowed that they dare not go home
without indorsing Greeley, were in considerable
restlessness until the matter came to an issue,
Late in the afternoon, in this expectant frame OF
mind, the delegates crowded in and listened win
some indifference to the reports that did not touch
Al 81 ka collection of n DeTmaupQt
Chairman, however, broke the ice, and loud cheers
welcomed the announcement of the name OF the
Hon Samuel Smith to that position. He has been
an outspOken worker for Liberalism aud his election
70 preside at once indicated that there would be no
temporizng with the voice of the people or the de-
eres of the delegates He declared his intentions at
once and with vigor. He knew the sentiment OF his
people He saw the daily increasing tide OF Liberal
Ism in the Republican ranks, and he knew that no
combination Of men parties could thwart the peo-
nIe,s VIII in making Horace Greeley the next Presi-
dent Of the United States. He warned Democrats
who dreamed Of a different purpose at Baltimore,
that Greeley sentiment was so strong that if such
madness as a straight nomination were attempted
the Democratic party would be split in fragments
never TO be reunited. The platform as enunclated
nv Horace Greeley was the nOblest political en-
bodimeut ever offered to o great people, ana with
candidates of the known honesty and capacity OF
Greeley and Brown the Democratic party had nothing
more TO desire. These expressions came when the
temper of the Convention was evidently desIfous OF
more vigorous utterance, and every alIuslon 10
Greeley was received with loud explosions OF delight
Lest there might be the possibility of misunder-
standing however Gen. and exGOv German was
determined that there should be neither suspense
nor DELAY and in order that there should be no un-
certainty in the phraseoogy purpoS of the resolu-
tions when submitted TO the Convention, he read
this unmstakabe expression Of the prevalent senti-
ment Of the State
Resolred That the delegates elected by this Conven-
ton 70 attend the Democratic Convention at Baltimore
ere here distinctly directed to vote for and use all just
and honorable means to confirm the nominees OF the
Cincinnati Convention Tor PRESIDENT anu Nee-fresluen'
Of the United States
The Convention broke into storm of applause as
soon as the resolution had been read The Chairman
of the Committee on Resolutions felt that slight
had been put upon the Committee by this gratultous
reeumption that the resolutions had failed to meet
the demands Of the party, and thereupon read a
stronply-marked resolution, instructing the dele
gates to vote as a unit for the platform and candl-
dates of the Cincinnati Convention. Some ques-
tons as to the adyisability Of tying beyond recall
the hands of the delegation arose and delegate,
who announced that his FIRST and last choice was
Greeley. doubted the wisdom Of the action on the
time to totally change the situation. For instance"
said he 81 have learned that an important meeting
of Liberals Will be held in New-York to
take action on this very matter What if
Mr.. Greeley should be withdrawn asked
the speaker triumphantly. Half the Con-
vention rose to its feet and shouted, wen
still vote for Cireeleyp "What if Baltimore should
select some one else ?" oven vote for Greeleyp
That was the cry first last, and always. Gen. Cor
man. in an effort of great power, traversed the
GRADUAL growth of sentiment in the State, all tend
ing to confirm the selection of Greeley as a move
above and beyond politicians, and although his
lifelong political opponent, he gladly lent his ad TO
put him into the Presidential Office to purify the
politics of the country. This little interude was
ended by characteristic Western prOnunciamento
from Mr. Ira Barton, who facetiously announced
himself as representative of the rural districts.
eve bayeo said he made up our minds to vote for
Greeley come what will. We have also made up
our minds TO bind the delegates to vote for Greeley
and Brown; and say here that if any man returns
from that Convention with Greeley cheated out OF
that nomination. viii hang him to the first tree"
This summary disposition excited lively approba-
tion The resolution of Gen. German was adopted.
The following is the platform:
R1sored That IL Is the seuse OF this Convention that
the platform adopted at C1nennatl adopted ana ex-
planned by Horace Greeley IN his letter OF acceptance
political issue OF the day, and We therefore heartily
indorse the and the candidates by the convention
ResoSd That the delegates elected by this Convention
,o aftend tine Democratic Convention Baltimore
Scrcbv Distinctly Instructed vote aud al just and
honorable means 20 confirm the nominees OF tne CnclD
nat Convention for President and VeePresdent OF the
United s..ftes.
Here some querulous member opposed the adop-
tion Of the report which would have also killed the
last resolution and, on this, Judge Atwater made
speech which was received with irksome disfavor