Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1882-10-26
TO THE SCANDINAYIANS.

We desire to call your attention for a
short time to not only the present state Of
affairs surrounding you, but also that of
the future, concerning the importance of
which, we presume you have little or no
comprehension. We must either warn
you of the degradation which is awaiting
you at the hands of Mr.. Nelson, or stand
silently by and unconcernedly witness your
downfall. If you will ONE with us for a
few minutes, and view that with which
you are surrounded at the present, you can
easily ascertain where you may be led in
the future, without your apprehension. 1t
must be well known to you that Knute
Nelson is before you for congress, and if
you do not, you should know that he an
nounces himself as a Scandinavian candi-
date demanding the Office for himself in
your name, calling upon you to secure his
his election. This is no doubt done to
arouse your sympathies, and secure your
votes, and leading you to suppose you are
to be presented by him as special objects
for public relief, and beggarly bounty. In
your names he is asking support for that
Office. And in your names he is imposing
upon you as citizens of this country. You
alone, as he pretends, are the sole objects
of his care. But whatever may be our
opinion, the truth of this contest is worthy
of your valuable consideration. Years
ago pine land rings were formed in Min
neapolis and elsewhere with large amounts
of money, to secure by any means they
could, the valuable pine lands in this
state. 1t was found necessary by them to
have it in large tracts as possible, that
their camps for logging might not be con-
fined to narrow limits. These lands be-
longed to the United States and settlers
were not allowed to interfere with the
work of these pine pirates !; this would in
terfere with the progress of the business of
the rings. Congress has therefore, had to
make provisions for the disposal of these
lands, or the pine upon it, but heretofore
it has been done in such way that these
rings have had il. all to themselves, giving
the actual settlers no opportunity to get it
until the valuable pine had been bought or
stolen off. And what comes up now for
the consideration of you, as we'll as others,
is, shall this management be longer con-
tinued. These rings have decided to still
have 1t all their own way. To put it as
mildly as it is possible.
To do it, they have caused Knute Mel
son to bolt the convention at Detroit as he
could not get the nomination, and now
these rings and those connected with them
in st. Paul and Minneapolis, are support.
| ing him for congress, using their own
money and his, and themselves travelling
through the district to do so. If this is
not true, why do they, outside of the district
interfere in our election; and why is it
that they have secured the Pioneer Press
and Minneapolis Tribune to assist them!
Would either of these papers NEEDLE in
the affairs of our district if they were not
paid? 1t can be seen what Nelson's CON
| nection with these rings is, and what the
Scandinavians will do if they in such in.
stances as these, vote with Nelson. The
men who are in these rings are now daily
imploring you people not to desert this
poor Scandinavian, who is after this Of
flee. These rings selected Nelson from
among your people probably because they
knew him, and because he had led them to
believe he was your leader and dictator
and you would do their bidding. And why
have these rings fought SO hard for the
Scandinavian votes? Because it was moi
supposed they would stop or inquire what