MINNESOTA. 



519 



of successful war against the united efforts of rebels 



.: i iil..-l u\ nqiiitliizi-M Nurtli, will maintain 



nt in tin- future us in the past 



tin- ril. it-Is to surrender tbo 



..lit t, those who sought to destroy it. 



y.VWc- , 'lluit f join in tlic demand that loyal 



.it.-s (hut defended and preserved 



rniui-iit .-li..ll ili.-t.itr tin- terms on 



: s an.l rflii-lli.ni> States shall aguiu par- 



1 Government. 



Raoli- I, That the convention hereby endorse the 



ii> nt , it the ('.institution proposed by Congress 



i ,if terms on which the rebel- 



, may bo admitted to representation in 



JWO/Mdj That the nation owes an everlasting debt 



'.itu.ii! t.i the noble men of the Union army 



thai the late action of Congress giving additional 



vouchers, has only partially discharged the Govern- 



'luty ID its heroic defenders, and we urge that 



further and more full justice be done them 



Tho Democratic Convention for the nomina- 

 tion of c;ini!iil;ites for tho same offices assein- 

 Paul on September 27th. Sergeant 

 N. E. Nelson was nominated for auditor, and 

 Lieutenant Denis Cavanaugh for clerk of the 

 Supreme Court. For resolutions tho following 

 we- re adopted : 



Whereat, The paramount issue before the people is 

 tho preservation of the Union by a return to peace in 

 fact as well as in name, therefore, 



Jletoleed, That the convention adopt and reaffirm 

 the declaration of principles made by the National 

 Union Convention, held at Philadelphia, on the 14th 

 of April, 1S66, in the following terms. 



For the resolutions of the Philadelphia Con- 

 vention see UNITED STATES. 



At the election the number of votes cast for 

 Miombers of Congress was 41,758 ; of which the 

 Republican majority was 10,208. Hough was 

 elected clerk of tho Supremo Court, and Mc- 

 llrath auditor. Both the Congressmen elected 

 were Republicans. 



At the session of the Legislature, which as- 

 sembled in January, 18G6, the following reso- 

 lutions were reported from the committee on 

 Federal relations: 



Resolved, by the Home of Representative* of th 

 the State of Minnesota [the Senate eoneurrinff], That 

 we devoutly recognize the Providence of Almighty 

 God in the triumph of the Federal Government over 

 the great slaveholders' rebellion that, in this strug- 

 gle for national life, the heroic achievements of our 

 army and navy challenge our highest admiration, 

 and will ever be held in grateful remembrance. 



Retolned, That the suppression of armed rebellion 

 against the National Government haa demonstrated 

 the inherent strength of the Republic, the patriotism, 

 the love of liberty, the virtue, and endurance of our 

 people. 



Resolved, That, while traitors in arms have been 

 vanquished, the spirit of rebellion, of hatred to the 

 Republic, still exists, and still seeks the opportunity 

 of striking down the flag, which is the emblem of the 

 glorious principles of the Declaration of our Inde- 

 pendence. 



That the safety and permanence of our 

 free institutions demand from the people and their 

 representatives, no less enthusiasm, constancy, and 

 patriotism at the present time than while civil wur 

 was threatening our political existence. 



That no false hopes should be cherished, 

 30 abstract theories indulged, no advantages lost, hi 

 this golden period of opportunities ; but while gener- 



osity, magnanimity, and conciliation should be our 

 mottoes, wisdom, prudence, and experience should 

 ir guides. 



Resolved, That the logical consequence of seoes 

 sion was tho abolition of slavery ; that the events of 

 the war made this a necessity ; that returning peace 

 has its problems, upon the correct solution of which 

 depends tho future integrity, the quiet, the harmony, 

 and the safety of the nation. 



Resolved, That in adjusting questions growing out 

 of the rebellion, Congress should not allow itself to 

 be hindered or thwarted by those most interested in 

 making vain the hopes springing from its sup- 

 pression. 



Resolved, That no pecuniary obligations contracted 

 for, or in aid of the rebellion, should ever, upon any 

 pretext, be submitted to the action of Congress. 



Resolved, That steps should be taken to secure and 

 establish the strongest guaranties of freedom and 

 civil rights to all, irrespective of color, and that, when- 

 ever the elective franchise shall be denied or abridged 

 in any State on account of race or color, all persons 

 of such race or color shall be excluded from the basis 

 ot national representation. 



Resolved, That we rely upon the firmness and wis- 

 dom of Congress in the present exigency of public 

 affairs ; that it is to Congress the people of Minnesota 

 look for the true reconstruction policy; that the 

 people of Minnesota will approve all measures look- 

 ing to the sure establishment of justice in all the 

 rebel States, and will indorse and sustain such of 

 their Representatives as stand shoulder to shoulder 

 until the fruits of victory are secured, and the appro- 

 priate results of our sacrifices achieved. 



The resolutions were passed in the House ; 

 yeas 28, nays 12. In the Senate the following 

 was offered by Mr. Murray as a substitute : 



Resolved, by the Senate, the House of Represent' 

 atives concurring, That there is no warrant or au- 

 thority in the Constitution of the United States for 

 any State or States to secede, and that the resolves 

 to that end, or for that purpose, are absolutely null 

 and void, and that the war having defeated the at- 

 tempt to thus divide and break up the Union, it is of 

 vital importance to the Republic and to all the States 

 thereof, that the States recently in revolt, and each 

 and every one of them, should resume their appro- 

 priate and constitutional position and functions in 

 the Union without delay; and to this end it is the 

 sense of the Legislature of the State of Minnesota, 

 that our Senators and Representatives in Congress 

 should, waiving all minor differences, and seeking 

 only to maintain and preserve the Union of our 

 fathers, support the President in every and all Con- 

 stitutional efforts and policy to restore to their places 

 in the Union the States lately in rebellion. 



The substitute was laid on tho table ; yeas 

 13, nays 7, and the resolutions passed. 



This session of tho Legislature was regarded 

 as one of tho most important for tho State. 

 A revision of the general statutes was made ; 

 the last revision having been made in 1861, 

 six years prior to tho adoption of the con- 

 stitution. Acts were passed compelling the 

 railroad companies to carry freight and pas- 

 sengers on equal and liberal terras, and also 

 very favorable to the companies in other re- 

 spects. Initiatory steps were taken for the 

 payment of $2,275,000 of bonds issued by the 

 State to aid the railroad companies. The 

 geological survey was ordered to' bo continued 

 in the mineral regions of the State ; two addi- 

 tional normal schools were established, and 

 hospital for the insane. 



