When you're the Democratic mayor of an overwhelmingly Democratic city and are hosting the Republican National Convention, you look for ways to emphasize the civic aspects of the event rather than its political implications.
 
Such it was today for Mayor Chris Coleman of St. Paul.

Referring to plans to display an original printing of the Declaration of Independence at City Hall during the convention, Coleman said: "A national political party convention is about so much more than just the nomination of a candidate. It is a celebration of democracy and American civic pride, and having the Declaration of Independence on public display provides another dimension for residents and visitors to participate and enjoy all that a convention brings with it."

The Declaration will be on public view from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 2-4 in the City Hall/Ramsey County courthouse building at 15 W. Kellogg Blvd.

In May, the Minnesota History Museum displayed the Declaration as part of the state's sesquicentennial celebration. More than 22,000 people visited the museum to see the Declaration, one of only 25 of the original printed versions used to deliver the colonial message to the king of England.

Lots of other historical documents and other national civic exhibits will be on display during the convention during CivicFest at the Minneapolis Convention Center. More information on that event is available here. — Joe Kimball