The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-02-18
THE SENATORIAL CONTEST.
Caucuses and Platform of the OPPOsl'
ton.

ton.
The announcement in the DISPATCH of
Yesterday that the members of the Oppo-
sition would meet in caucus last evening
at the Merchants, drew to that point the
usual crowd with whom expectation was
on tip.toe owing to the rumors afloat that
such compromise would be effected with
the Davis Republicans as would soon put
an end to the Senatorial deadlock. Both
of the Republican factions, as it seemed,
took more or less stock in these reports,
and to be ready for any new move that
might be developed held consultations in
the same building, where like Macawber
they patiently waited for something to
turn up
The Opposition called their caucus to
order at 8 o'clock, with Presi-
dent Westfall in the chair,
and Representative Durant acting
as Secretary On the call of the roll A
members answered to their names. A
little informal conversation then ensued,
when it was decided to take recess of
half an hour to await the report of the
committee on platform, consisting of
Messrs. Donn-lly, Wilkinson, Berry,
Mealey, Morsaand Burchard.
Upon reassembling the committee re-
ported:
Resolped, LIST. That we are opposed to
all interventions by the National Execu-
tive in the affairs of the States, except as
provided for in the national constitution,
in cases of instruction, rebellion, or
domestic violence, subverting the author
ity of the State Government; and we can
conceive of no case where the President
of the United States can legally intervene
to affect the organization or determine
the political complexion of State Legis-
lature, or permit the federal army to aid
in the contamination of such result at the
dictation or request Of the executive of
any State; and we denounce all such
usurpations of power as dangerous IN the
last degree to constitutional liberty.
Resolued, I'd. That all corporations
created by the State should be at all
times supervisable by the State in the
interests and for the protection of the
people.
ResOlped, Sd. That we are opposed to
all attempts to limit the freedom of the
press of the country.
ResoLued, 4th. That the national gov
eminent is government of limited and
delegated powers, supreme within its
sphere while the great bulk of the rights
of the people must find their safeguard in
the States and the people themselves.
Resolved, 5th. That we believe the OBJ
iect of revenue tariff should be reve
nue.; and that all attempts to tax one
part of the people to enrich another, are
unjust and unconstitutional.
4 Resolred, 9th, That the adoption Of
the Fourteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth
amendments to the Federal constitution
closed a great era in our politics. II
marked the end forever Of human slavery
and of the struggles that grew out OF tina,
system. These amendments have beer
accepted in good faith by all political or
carnations and the people Of all sections
Hereafter all parties must stand upor
them, and our politics must turn upo1
the questions of the present and the fu
ture, and not upon those Of the settled
and final past. :,
The reading Of the resolutions conclud
ed. short discussion followed, when /
was adopted.
Senator Wilkinson then offered sup
Elementary resolution as follows, whicl
was adopted:
Resolred, That in order to carry on
the foregoing resolutions, to bring peac
and quiet to all portions of the Union, an
to purify the government it is necessar.
that the present national administrator
should be overturned, and its place SUP
piled by one heartily in accord with tn
foregoing principles.
Senatory Berry followed this by ar
other. supplementary resolution, who
was also adopted
Resolred, That we are satisfied wit
and reaffirm the platform of the las
Democratic and Liberal Republican Stat
convention Of the State OF Minnesota
That we denounce the national admins
tration for its attack on civil rights
the State OF Louisiana and other Soutl
ern States.
The discussion preceding and follow
ing the adoption Of the above resolution
/ brought up the whole question OF con
promise or no compromise. the sentimel
of the caucus being largely IN fav'
of adhering to the end to the candida
in nomination, and the platform oil PR
.ciples presented. This position was su
i ported vigorously by Messrs- Wiiknso
Cox. Cook, Murray, Burchard' hi
Macdonald, Doran, Crooks, ana other
Messrs. Westfall, Delano. Lienau, al
two or three others favored coalit''
with Governor Davis If he wou
| accept the platform present'
by the committee.
il Finally to test the question sent
Il Lienau offered resolution IN enect Pleo
II ING the caucus to support Gov. DAVIS
II he would place himself upon the platfor
II reported by the committee. :.
il Another long and excited discuss'
II followed the offer Of this resolution,
~h;ch the various speakers e-stated the
"a views. During the discussion some ten
The members quietly retired from {
a caucus, and for some unaccoui
II Able reason forgot to return,
ES vntA WAS lax