The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1884-06-12

We find in the St. Paul Dispatch the
full text of the address delivered by Ex-
Gov. Davis 1T St. Paul on Memorial
Day. Like all his addresses, it
is not only excellent as to rhetoric
or style, but abounds in ideas
which are vital and which should
be set to work, like spiritual yeast, in
the minds of the people. We have ime
and space to refer to only few of
these ideas:
l. The tendency to central;zation.
The functions Of the Federal govern
| ment, says Gov. Davis. should he as
much rs possible restored to what they
were before the war.
This tendency undoubtedly is one OF
the evils bequeathed us by the war.
During the conflict military power was
exercised and unconstitutional
methods were adopted, and when the
war ceased these were transferred to
the civil power or rather continued to
be exercised by the genera, government.
The door being thus opened, every re-.
former with an ''ism" is carrying it to
the National government and asking
that his reform or hobby he made the
subject of Congressional action, or that
the Constitution be changed so that
his particular reform, or religion, can
be made "national.'' And it is a fact
that Congress has enacted laws which
are unconstitutional ard utterly at
variance with the genius of our insti-
tutions and under which even post
masters are exercising powers which
before the war would hardly have been
entrusted to the courts.
2. Another suggestion in the address
of Gov. Davis is that "there should he
some abatement of the jurisdiction OF
the federal courts.'' The tendency
now is and has been since the war tc
limit the State courts and increase the
jurisdiction of the federal courts.
Under what is known as the
"ComstOck law' there is not an editor
or Il bookseller in the country, who
may not be arrested by U. s. marshal
taken before federal judge at dis.
tance and held until his business is
ruined. This has been done i'm Il mum
Der of cases like that of Barter, the
Iowa editor.
One statement made by Gov. Davis
we cannot agree with, viz: that 'there
has existed since the war q; broader
spirit of toleration." In some respects
i; may be true, but never in our history
has "intolerance' been so thoroughly
OrganiZnd and active us since the war
This is shown in those deteStable or
CARNATIONS called 'vice societies.
which Sidney Smith ridiculed out of
London, and which aim to unite the
ecclesiastical and civil officer in one
person. It is shown also in the move
ment to unite church and state by
amending the Constitution so that the
United States shall be declared Il Chris
tian nation. It is shown in the uN-
ceasing etiolt to enact and enforce
Sunday laws on religious grounds; il,
the effort to force the reading of the
Bible upon the public schools in de-
fanre Of the wishes OF Jews, Catholics
and Liberals; in the prohibition move
ment and in scores Of assaults upon
personal liberty.
For CONGRESS-.
Convention for this congressional
district will he held ut Mankato June
26th and nominate a successor to Jas
g. Wakefield. There is no opposition
to Mr.. Wakefield and he will no doubt
be returned by Ii unanimous vote. The
people recognize in Mr.. Wakefield a
man they can tie to and are not dis
posed to give him up yet awhile.-Lake
field Citizen.
1t is generally conceded that Con
gresham Wakefield will again he nom
mated by acclamation for the position
which he is now holding, and which he
is so admirably and satisfactorily fill
ing. lie Was nominated two years ago
upon Il platform which decla;ed fol
tariff reform, and stepping entirely
outside of his party to sustain posi-
tiOn which he at that time pledged
himself to sustain, he has shown him
self to be possessed Of the right sort OF
timber as true representative of the
people of the Second Minnesota district
His re- nomination will lie no less hearty
and unanimous than WAS his frst.-
MankatO Free Press.
The Mankato Review nominates Col
Baasan of Brown county (member OF
the old First Minnesota,) for member
of Congress from this district, on the
Democratic ticket. Put him up-put
them all on the track. Itdoesn't make
much difference who your nominee is
Wakefield will scoop 'em.-St James
Journal.
The Mankato Review says that Judge
Wilson, of Worthington, is favorably
mentioned as candidate:
The Republicans of this congressional
district will find in the person Of Judge
Wilson, of Worthington, a very worthy
candidate for congress. The Judge is
a lawyer of fine abilities, is young, anC
energetic, with a clean record, and ;
gentleman who in every respect vii
reflect credit upon the people of tho
Southwestern district. We understand
that the Judges name is being favor
ably considered by the people of thu
Southwestern counties, and while he i:
doing nothing himself to further hi!
chances, it is said that he is not AYERS,
to accepting the honor should it b'
rendered to him.
The Window Reporter comments 0,
the above as follows:
The Reporter had supposed the Re
publicans were going to let Judg
Wakefield have a second nomination a
matter of courtesy. The mention o
Judge Wilson's name is Il surprise
Gov. Wakefield has made good con
gresham, but if a change is to be mad
and ''lightning' should hit so good
man as Judge Wilson it would lie fol-
tunate.
1t is certainly feather in Judg
Wilson's cap that he is favorably men