The Press., 1883-08-09
Volume l6. Number 29.
LETTER FROM MINNESOTA.
Clearwater, Minn., July s1,

Clearwater, Minn., July s1 1883.
 The month now closing has been one fa- vorable to the crops. The rainfall during the month has been extended over quite a wide area, both in Dakota and this state, where 1t was greatly needed. Other sec- tions, also, of this part of our domain have been watered and revived in the same way. As result the crops have greatly improv- ed, and bid fair to yield handsomely Hereabouts all crops are ill good condition. The small grains are doing well, and the corn, which was late in the start, bids fair to be most excellent yield The rains and many warm days which we have had sent it forward very fast. Since the pros perity of the country depends so largely on the crops the outlook now for general prosperity is encouraging. According to the United States statistician the acreage of corn in Dakota in June was 397 800 of flax 66, 500, and of potatoes 9,09O. Unless unforeseen disasters fall upon the crops be- fore harvest there will be bread enough for the people the year to come. But dis asters like..that which overlook southern section of this state short time ago are likely to occur.
 Minnesota has had her cyclone in con- nection with Dakota and Wisconsin. It tore its way through the state along the line of the Winona and St. Peter road Starting in Dakota 1t bounded along, strik- ing here and there, in most reckless man. ner. At our old home in Sleepy Eye the hail was terrific. There, and at New Ulm. as we'll as at several other points, the dam age to property was considerable, and to the growing crops great. The town in this state that suffered the most was FL gin, Wabasha county. This village was a population of about 25O, and the aston ishment is that no more lives were lost. A passenger train, going east, was blown from the track near Owatonna, and many persons injured. This storm seems to have struck more towns and villages than usual and while the destruction is great which it wrought to property, and many were injured, and some killed, 1t was not so destructive as some other storms which sections of the country have experienced in the past.
 The temperance people in this state are getting in good deal of work these sum- mer days. They have recently held 8 most enthusiastic convention at White Bear Lake, where men of national repute were heard with delight.
 The prohibitory party is well organized, and is in the field with full ticket. It declares the prohibition of the liquor traf- fic, as beverage, to be the greatest living issue in American politics, and with this most of us are ready to agree. The plat form adopted by the party strikes some se- were blows at the republican party for the attitude 1t assumes towards the temper ance question. While it is in some par ticulars better than the democratic party, 1t comes far short of the exigencies of the hour; hence it must be opposed by those who would see the triumph of temperance in the land.
 No doubt the temperance question will force itself on the attention of every voter, and compel him to tax sides, either for or against prohibitory Legislation. This ques- tlon is in politics, and it is there to stay until 1t IS settled in, righteousness. So great curse as the free use of rum cannot forever be borne by free people. That must be removed or our homes will go to destruction. O. P. CHAMPLIN.