St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-07-24
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.
$4,000 Scandinavian Votes.

To the Editor of the Globe:
The Scandinavian weekly, the Northwestern.
in st. Paul, in it's last issue sets about in an
able way 10 correct statement recently pub
l1shed in the Pioneer Press about the strength
| of the Scandinavian vote in this state The
2. P. got it down to $4,000, while the NOrd-
vesten, with some plausible figuring, makes
it out TO be 10000, and the latter estimation
has been corroborated by Col. Hans Mattson
with slight variation. And surely Mr..
Mattson ought to know.
Exactly why the P. P. has tried to reduce
the Scandinavian element is hardly conceiy-
able, but then, no one becomes angry with
the 2. p, it is such a harmless paper. And
If the Scandinavians had not had anything
worse in return for their earnest fidelity to
the Republican party than the jolting of the
P. p, they might feel comparatively thank
full.
After having finished the statistical part of
its task, the Northwestern goes on to tell how
the Repub lican party may secure hold on
this eminent bulge of votes, saying that these
citizens propose to stand by their principles
and their party, provided SO and so. Yes, the
providing part is just the point, and the
Nordvesten lines out several of these pro-
visions. Among them are: AN opportunity
to vote for men who believe in principles and
are eager to make the party progressive ene"
that 1.-THE Republican ticket be strong and
unRssailable one' and that 1.-The platform be
framed in accordance with the views and
wishes of the people," On the part Of the
paper, it is very good to put up ali these pro.
visions, but, in regard to the matter in quest,
| there are just as many points against the Re-
publican party as there is ifs in the paper.
The Northwestern has got it point blank when
it says: '"rhey 1.-THE ScaudinayiansI think
honor ought to be given where honor is DUE"
The far greatest part of the Scandinavian
populace are farmers and labcriugmen. And
L challenge any living man to show me when.
ever our republicans gave any honor to
Scandinavian at any state election without
coupling him in with q set of officials who
have virtually done less than nothing for the
farming or laboring classes. They never aoa
cepted OF Scandinavian candidate in q
proper acknowledgment of the nationality be-
ing entitled to such representation, but SIM
ply as life-buoy wherewith to float their
other candidates and their ring schemes
safely over the deep pool of campaign cor
corruption and keep the management of
state affairs to suit their own precious selves.
Is this to give honor where honor is due? And
it is tOlerably safe to say to-day that the
scandinavian element, through proper recog-
milton at other hands, is too much aware OF
its real Importance to be lured by the old
bait. The old game, helping one man into
office at the cost of the interests of thousands
has been played too long upon the Scandf-
navians. So, if Northwestern really did intend
to brighten the views for the Republican
party it might better have left the provisions
unmentinued. For, to meet NordYesten's
phrase with another one: How look for
bread in the desert when mother has no
-four in the sack?
1.-THE Scandinavians have a pretty fair
understanding by this time of what there IL
on the program for tn g nearest future The
Scandinavian farmers know there are tax.
title wrongs to be righteu, transportation mo,
nopolies to be downed and cooperative Cd.
preston to be limited. The Scandinavian Ia.
borers know there is contracted convict Ia
Dor to dispose OF and several demands on the
part of productive labor to be attended to-
and both of these classes know that, having
waited through many years in vain for the
Republican party to take hold of these mat.
tiers, their only show rests with the Demo-
Gratis II they are ever to have their interests
locked to. As for representation the Demo-
cratic party will give the Scandinavians as
fair deal as ever the Republicans did. Aye,
even fairer, because the Democrats will give
it-or receive tin full recognition OF the
value to state and community of this strong
element.
With q representation properly recognizing
all nationalities and Mayor Ames at the head
of the ticket, the Democrats will only have
to step over easy slope to victory next
fall Not only the ScandinaVians, but every
sensible and independent man in the state
viii rally round the standard or progress thus
displayed. Mayor Ame's name at the heaA
Of the ticket will warrant sound platforrzs
active attendance and hberating measures
There is not a choice in the state better
suited to the interests OF the farmers and the
laboring classes than Ames for governor
Then, if local pettifogging does not persist
in running our legislative element in the old
strain, we May look for practical progress in
our good state of Minnesota.
SCANDINAvIAN DENoCRAT.
Minneapolis. July 20. 1856.