The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-02-20
A DANGEROUS SPIRIT.

L
The recent attempts to sacrifice prop.
,rty and innocent lives at the mandate
IF spirit of destructiveness, which has
been more or less perceivable In our
midst for a number of years, followed
by the outspoken statements and declar-
atoms which have been enunciated from
the resorts of secret organizations in our
own country, as well as in other parts OF
the civilized world, must awaken serious
In thinking minds, and lead
to the conclusion that disregard for
dangerous disrespect Of au-
thority, and a wild, free play of human
in general, Is too prevalent to
pass with but an indifferent notice. This
pollyformed evil has shown, Its hydra
head in many different organizations
and acts, all born of the same inexplain-
able source; but was never 30 devil-dar-
ing, and generally distributed through.
out the civilized world as the develop
ments of the few weeks just past demon
strate II to be. While We have been less
censured by the disciples Of this work,
and onr public institutions spared the
menaces which have hung over those OF
the old world continually for years, we
have no special cause for self-congratu-
lation. The same evil disposition that
prompts the London dynamiter, the
Russian nihilist and the French COM
munist, is planted deep in the hearts of
large classes of Americans, who, inaam-
ed and debased by its mad impetus, in
woke strikes, mobs and the numerous
disturbances which at times andanger
the peace and safety of communities.
Logicians have applied the entire
force of their fertile minds to this theme,
aiming to determine the cause of the de-
sire that produces the dastardly results,
but about all they have succeeded in as
pertaining Is that the deplorable state is
fur more wide spread and powerful than
cursory view will portray. II has, OF
late. been convincingly seen that there
is comparatively perfect organization
of this nature existing in many Of our
largest cities which has been carried on
in secret activity, 80 absolutely unno-
ticed that the recent discoveries have
been painful surprise to those even at
whose very threshold the work has gone
on. Secret organizations have been
formed in Chicago, Philadelphia and
New York, and reared to such magni.
tude as to make them obnoxious II not
dictatorial. Their present power and
influence are what make them so out
spoken and daring. The figure heads
have become self conscious of their unit
ed force and do not hesitate to express
their designs, and to gloat openly over
the diabolical work done by kindred
hands in other localities. All civilized
countries are alike infested. The spirit
exists alike on both sides of the Atlantic,
and Is confined to no one nationality
The Irish, in consequence of their being
more openly at work in their national
cause, are made the objects of vast
amount of censure for the disturbances
abroad but it Is unjust to single
that nation out from the rest of the
world as the sole possessors of this de.
plorable sentiment. In the light of pres.
ent facts no one can pursue such a
course, for a corresponding element in
every nation is similarly affected anti
has common design, which is the re.
sentiment of any national policy distaste-
full to their crude conceptions, q course
of envious opposition to the accumula'
ton of wealth by legitimate means, and
a free use of the same by the possessor
so earning it, and wanton, obstinate
disregard of those in authority, whether
local or national.
Where to seek for the cause or what
the remedy is, are matters of conjecture
as yet, and are not within the scope
of this article. But IL IL Opportune
that this state of affairs receive earnest
attention if it would not be per-
mitted to acquire predominating proper
tons, as it certainly will If the present
ratio Of development is continued few
more years. The United States popu-
lace are, from force of their mode OF
government, extremely indulgent, and
no mans or party's creed or affiliations
are in any way molested 80 long az they
are not conducive to harm or public
disturbance, therefore such a spirit as
that of socialism can grow to vigor-
Gus extent before any suppressive meas
ures are applied. 1t comes from the
constitutional genius of the government.
which aims to make every citizens self.
governing, and which is the essence of
the civil code of free country. This
is proper and works for universal good;
but it seems that the last day OF grace in
favor of this wanton, and riot breeding
sentiment has arrive d, and will of its
own forwardness create necessity for
restraint ere long. Never in all the his
tory of Nihilism, Communism, Socialism
or any other of these detrimental organ
izations, has the real Nervousness of
their designs been SO generally appar.
ent, nor so brazonly exhibited as within
the two months last past. These facts,
and the current condition of affairs
wherever they have shown their hand,
should not leave us in any degree of
doubt as to what they purpose, or that
there is really "a power behind the
throne" of their confederation.
1t is an evil that must be talked
against, written against, branded as
one to be summed, and discouraged by
every honorable means. The pulpit,
the press, the school and the family cir
Gle should all be made nurseries of
higher and nobler aim, thereby elimi-
mating from the minds of the rising gen.
Grafton the seeds of this widespread,
menacins, deplorable and inhuman dis
position, so thoroughly migrated into |
the character of certain classes of to-
day, inhabiting all civilized countries.
WAsEcA Radical: How long, oh! Lord,
how long, and how much, for goodness
sake, how much? Here are the normal
schools again with their necks stretched
and maWs wide open, like O nest of
young robins, asking for what there is
left The state board recommended an
Of 10000 to build an ad.
dition 10 the Mankato school, $50, 900 to
build q Ladies' Hall at Winona, $l6, 600
to complete the Ladies' Hall at st.
Cloud, 1900 additional TO yearly appro-
priation for each Of the three schools,
b 900 immediate use at Winona to pay
teachers and 81 500 to repair the build
ing at Mankato. What do the tax pay
ers think of those little figures Of $i0i,.
500? And what do we get for II as state2
4 Rna thing for Winona Mankatn and |