The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-10-20
Address of Blue Earth County Al
lance.

To tie Voters Of Blue Earth County,:
The time is at hand when you will
again be called upon to decide by your
votes to whom you will intrust the
management of public affairs. AS the
objects of the Alliance are not fully un-
derstood by some people, we deem it
proper to move clearly define our posi-
ton and purposes, SD far rs they relate
to political matters.
The Alliance is composed of former
members of both the Democratic and
Republican parties, who, despairing of
any action by their respective parties
believe that the time has come when
an independent move is urgently re-
CURED for many purposes, but mainly
to put a check upon the greed OF cor
poratiOns, whose growing encroachment
have alarmed all thinking men. 1t is
not composed of disappointed Office
seekers or sore-headed politicians. They
have no place in our ranks. 1t is COM
posed of men who think more of their
country than of any party, and who be-
lieve that reforms can more certainly be
brought about by an independent move
ment than by entrusting them to the
old parties, which are more or less
hampcred by the traditions of the past
or dominated by influences hostile to
our objects. We believe that the inter-
ests of monopolies have been fostered
and protected and the welfare of the
producers, who are the bone and sinew
of the nation, neglected. That the
rapid and often dishonest accumulation
of fabulous wealth in the hands of a
few men has become menace to free
government through the unblushing
attempts of its owners to corrupt the
sources of power and to control legisla
ton in their own interest. We are
actuated by no i'll feeling toward the
railroad companies; on the contrary, We
recognize the great work they have &C
complished i'll developing the resources
of the State, but we assert the supremacy
of the people in all public affairs, and
insist that wrongs and abuses il rail.
road management shall be corrected
1t must be admitted that at present this
is vital question Of State policy, and
yet in this county, the conventions OF
both the political parties have met and
adjourned, without uttering single
word to define their position or purpose
in the matter. We submit that what.
ever may have been the cause of this
neglect, it shows a disregard of the pub
lie interests, which should be rebuked
by the people at the polls. The Ali,
ance platform is explicit upon this
point, no room is left for doubt as to
our position, and we ask for it your
careful consideration.
We also invite your scrutiny of the
character of the men we have named
for office. Messrs. Fletcher, Brown
Howard, Cook and Pratt for the legisla.
ture, and Messrs. Scattergood, Buck and
Cray for county offices, are men well
known in the county and long identified
with its interests. They are gentlemen
of high character and integrity, who
were selected for the positions named
without caucus manipulation, by con
vcntion fairly representing the people
of all parts of the county. We feel jus
titled therefore in appealing to you to
sustain them by your votes, firmly he.
lieving as we do that men chosen to Of
fee under such circumstances, will,
aside from the guarantee of their per.
sonal character. he more likely to carry
out the wishes of the people in Congress
and Legislature than the candidates of
the old parties, who must to a greater
or less degree be subject to party dicta-
ton. Impartial men must cast aside
all partisan feelings. We may cherisl,
the great principles of Democracy or of
| Rcpublicanism none the less because we
now feel constrained to act independent
of the present party organizations. at
is not that we love Caesar less but Rome
more" The opportunity now presented
is one that has long been desired 10y
many people, and rs our nominations
were made without the trickery, de.
ception and selfshness, now so common
in political conventions, we believe your
best interests will be subserved by vot.
ing the Alliance ticket in November.