We,therefore, the republicans of Lewis^and Clarke county, assembled for the first^time to select candidates for offices provid^^ed for by this constitution, record our em-^I phatic and united protest against the par^^tisan action of the responsible majority In^the convention in vacating all the county^; offices for no other substantial reason than^I the hope that the verdict of last November^m.ght in some measure be reversed in the^. coming October. We conceive that the^, most effectual rebuke of such partisanship^1 would be the re-election of those officers^by an increased majority.^^Yet, with defect* which we can trust^| republican majorities in the future to cor^^rect we urge the republicans of Lewis^1 and Clarke county to vote for the conatitu-^i tioo, as much less of an evil than further^disfranchisement.^^Considering and comparing the policies^' of the two great national parties, we fee.^that we should impugn the intelligence of^our people to express a doubt as to which^one Montana is allied in every great con-^i trolling interest Not only the freedom.^1 but the existence of our nation Is to be^credited to the great National Republican^party. We look to it as the safest guardian^honor and interests^We affirm without
jlast year. Every interest has been mvig^orated by the change. Our miners, ranch^I men and lumbermen are no longer dogged^by spies and harried with costly suits for^trespassing upon the public domain in cat^ting timoer fur necessary and useful pur^^ pose* that otherwise would be food for^Spark* and flames. Our settlers are no^longer insulted as frauds' and hindered^. or useleaslv taxed to secure titles to their^homes.
