Year: 1874

Tor the farmers to take separate and dis
tlnct action. He thought perhaps not, but
believed we could accomplish more by vot-
ing for the best men of both parties. He
would offer the following resolution:


Resolved, That it is the opinion of this
convention, that none but thoroughly re-
| liable, upright, temperate and competent
men should be supported for Office and that,
regardless Of party nomination, we will at
the polls vote for only such, and that we
we look with contempt upon men who Ia
Dor to pack caucuses for their own benefit,
and who bargain and sell their influence
with as many candidates as possible, to se-
cure their mutual success in acquiring
Office.


fEArHERsToxE, Aug. 4th, 1874.


George Akers said that the call under
which we had assembled showed that we
were not satisfied with the present state of
affairs. 1t was evident from what had been
said by the preceding speakers that the
parties were corrupt, and that an effort for
something better should be made. Moth
ing could be accomplished without great
effort. AS in the religious world we must
"work" out our own salvation: 50 in
| the political world. If we would be we'll
| served We must serve ourselves If we 20
into the other Conventions we shall be out.
numbered and completely overruled as we
| always have been heretofore. We have
gone to those Conventions heretofore and
we have always found ourselves forestalled
by those who had set the trap and pulled
the wires, and we who had been attending
to our vocations while they were maneu-
vering, found ourselves without any inau-
ence whatever in the Convention. Shall
we make An effort to remedy this state of
affairs? Now was our opportunity. Here
we are in Convention assembled ready to
act, and shall we fail to seize the opportu-
nifty. He hoped not. He did not know
whether We should nominate to-day, or
simply call Convention to- nominate.
He favored the latter.


Mr.. Elbridge Comstock Of Cherry Grove
being called upon said, the Lord helps
those who help themselves. If we wanted
this assistance we must take the proper
steps to gain it, viz: by endeavoring to
help ourselves. He fully agreed with the
last speaker. For the last ten or twelve
years country delegates have gone to Red
Wing for the simple purpose Of carrying
out a programme that had already been
prepared. He thought it was time to
cease this kind of child's play and go to
work for ourselves.


Mr.. E. G. Wright being called for said
that about one year ago we met in this hall
for the purpose Of making an effort for
ourselves. We took our stand, nominated
our candidates. We were partially sue
cessful, and partially not successful, but
where is the man who was sorry for what
he then did? Who regretted his action
upont hat occasion? Not one. Let US 20
on and carry out the movement then inaug gu
rated. Let US 60 to business.


Mr.. Poe, Of Stanton, said he would
speak for his town, and felt that he could
say that his town would ratify any uction
taken here to-day. In fact, they expected
this Convention would do its duty and give
them candidates for election. He was in
favor Of making full ticket


Charles Erickson, Of Red Wing, said be
represented the mechanics, and thought he
could say the mechanics were earnestly in
sympathy with the farmers, and would
gladly work with them. Our interests are
identical, and we should work in harmony.
If you can assure US that you have placed
in nomination good and true men, you vii!
find US ready and anxious to support your
men. Mr.. Erickson spoke at some length
and was loudly cheered.


! Mr.. Comstock said Cherry Grove was
ready to back up this Convention. She was
never known to be behind in the work of
reform


J. R. Perkins being loudly called for con-
fessed that he was not as much Of publ c
speaker as some Of the others, which the
Convention would probably find out before
he got through. Many present knew him
to be An old-time Democrat, but he would
say privately and confdentially to those
present that he was ready to let the old
party slide. They needn't mention it, but
that was his private purpose. These re-
marks brought down the house.