The meeting was opened by Dr. Schmidt. Schmidt declined the chairmanship; Franz Lackner was elected to preside. On taking over his office Mr. Lackner made a speech:

"We who are not actuated by any personal interest, whom the well-being of the country and a feeling of duty alone drive to participate in politics, - we have long felt that it is time that the people take the reins of the party in their hands. In view of the terrible corruption inactivity begins to be a crime. We declare war against the administration:! Reform is our battle-cry and with that we will victoriously advance! From German throats this cry has issued, and already the whole of Germandom stands united!(?)"

(Footnote: The Illinois Staats inserts the question mark).

After Hecker's speech resolutions were adopted containing the following main points:

Preservation of the Federal Consititution and the utmost possible decentralization; civil service reform, adoption of the one term principle, (for the presidency), and energetic repression of the monopolies; tariff for revenues and restriction of all prohibitive and force legislation.

A permanent committee was formed, composed of Dr. Ernst Schmidt, Louis Schultz, Wilhelm Ruhl, Gustav Korn......Franz Lackner, Hermann Lieb, Georg Vocke, Richard Michaelis, Gonrad Seipp and others.