The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-03-23

the sleighing was passably good: The
| audience was large, and highly lntelll-
gent, composed as it was OF the very
cream Of the farming population, and
their svmpathizers in the nice little city
of Chat6eld. l had prepared new lee
ture for the occasion, anticipating the
character OF my audience and was not
mistaken in my aim. During the eve
ming following, an entertainment was
given, which opened by the drawing OF
ssneck-ties - then retreshment. music,
songs, Rotations and dramatic enter
tainment, all of which were well execu-
ted, and highly enjoyable. | naturally
concluded that the grange element was
an important factor in the product OF So
ciety at this place. Mr.. James Laird is
the Worthy Master of the Grange, and a
very worthy master of ceremonies be-
sides.
On Monday, the 9th, I proceeded to
Pleasant Grove. a beautiful place in the
southerly portion of Olmsted county,
where, at evening, | addressed another
open grange meeting. The audience
was not so large as at Cha;field, as the
village is not SO large, and the meeting
not being fully determined upon, till late,
on account of the swollen condition OF
Root river. and fearing my inability to
cross it. The meeting was, however,
respectable both in size and intelli-
gence.
became the guest Of 0. w. Page,
ESQ.,, one of the oldest settlers, pillar
in the grange movement. and noted for
his intelligence and public spirit. The
next day Bro. Page hitched up his team,
as grangers know how to do, and sped
me across beautiful country to Roch-
ester. twelve miles, in short space of
time. Here in the evening / addressed
another open grange meeting on the
currency question, at the special request
of Rochester Grange. II that was .'po-
litical," Rochester Grange is alone re-
sponsible. From hence l went to Hanes-
hill with Mr.. Allen, distinguished and
well-to-do farmer of that town, where
in the evening addressed purely po-
litical meeting on the currency question.
After the address vote was taken for
..greenbacks" and also for ''hard mon
ey." The hard money side had but one
vote; all the rest was for 'greenbacks.' :
The prompt organization Of a greenback
club followed The number OF members
or names OF the officers did not note
down at the time, supposing all would
be reported for the local papers, they
being magnanimous enough, at Roches
ter at least, to publish the doings OF
farmers as well as of Boards OF Trade.
After the meeting, rode home to the
hospitable mansion OF Hon. Mr.. Hyslop,
near Chester station, where l was enter
tanned IL the same true, genuine. hearty
granger style as by others, and next
morning conveyed to the nearest station
in time for the early train eastward.
| will now give your readers the ben
eft of my observations. The country is
one OF great beauty; has been settled
about twenty-one years; the farmers
evincing high cultivation, and the nice
dwellings and ample barns denote cult
waited taste and prosperity. the result OF
intelligence, energy, perseverance and
self denial.
As regards public opinion, it seems to
be running mainly in one direction,
viz the abrogation of old party ties,
and embracing the opinions OF the indie.
pendents; in favor OF retrenchmept, re.
form and greenbacks. Those person:
who had read only the Pioneer-Press
and other kindred hard money papers,
were very ignorant of the great question
of the day, while those who read the
ANTI MONOPoLIsr, and other greenbacl
papers were well posted and an over
match in discussion with their poorly in
formed hard money opponents. While
l p.ah,rt..r I Lnarl .,lvv,rcf ho rs} 10 "a.
boy maintain an argument with lizard
money man much his elder. and he non
plussed his opponent completely.
could not help concluding that wher
boys take up on the greenDack side OF a
great mooted question like that OF the
currency, and can over throw elder op
ponents. it spoke we'll Tor the cause an.
its ultimate success.
The note of preparation is sounding il
ali parts OF Olm.ted county to send dele.
+ gates to the Owaronna convention.
{ Tow looks as though more than mysel
alone will be there. despite the predic
tons of the st. P. p. P.
4 On the train eastward ! met one O
: Quincy's sterling farmers, Esq. Teach
J out: also an attorney and an editor from
, Viaona.
They were all courteous and worth,
gentlemen. out | noticed that the edito
fought sly, being more disposed to asl
questions than to answer them. NOR
prone to tear down theories than TO pro
< pose them; while the lawyer. demo
: cra,. was more oulspoken. having com
! down from the high hobby OF the party
( the specie resumption act, and bold!
!. proclaimed that that would never do;
; would ruin the country: evidently moy
ing with the teachings Of his party a
. the thermometer varies with the state {
: the weather. / remarked to the demo
r cratic attorney that if he kept ia Ii
= same ratio he would soon get down ,
L the level of the currency reform.
take occasion to acknowledge th
efficient CO operation of Esquire Teacl
out who was more than match for OF
II opponents The passengers seemed ,
enjoy the discussion very much. and