The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1888-08-24
PLAIN WORDS.

The guhernatorial canvass up to this
writing, so far as Blue Earth county
goes, has been carried on by the McGill
with a series of misstate-
ments and TRADE of personal abuse
against the editor Of this paper. What
the gentlemen expect TO gain by such
tactics is not clear to the average mind,
unless, indeed, II may be to draw atten-
ton from the weakness of their own can
didate by abusing those who happen to
oppose his nomination. While we do
not claim to possess all the honesty or
conscience possible to be found, we do,
however, claim to have inherited u rea-,
sonable amount of both, and have faith
with ourself that We are no worse than
many others who have fortunately or
otherwise succeeded in keeping them
selves without the prison bars. And
vet, if one-half the bad things circulated
about us were true, we would, or at least
should, be cast into dungeon, and
there kept for an indefinite period on
bread and water.
No greater untruth has been set atioat
than that We have been given money by
Mr.. Merriam with which to conduct his
canvass in this county. 1t is a falsehood
born of unrighteousness and nursed in
jealousy. In fact the very things that
the McGillites are doing IN this county
are those which they are trying to saddle
upon their opponents. 1t is unfortunate
that Republicans cannot carry on can
vass within their own ranks without re-
sorting to personal abuse of their fellows
who while differing as to individuals are
vet striving for the same ultimatum-the
success of the ticket that shall finally be
selected. We have strenuouslv abstain
ed from saying anything i'll against Mr.
| McGlll or his adherents, while we hav,
been the target foI all manner OF abns'
and all kinds of falsehoods. "Whon
the gods would destroy they first MAKE
mad" and if the "other fellows" hav,
not vet reached rabid point, they Ger
taInly give evidence of being decided.
out of temper. So far as We are person
ally concerned, We are inirritable, ant
shall hold our equilibrium to the end
We are not running for governor; woulC
accept no position at the hands of tn,
executive; do not desire to be dele
gate either to the county or State con
| tn
whoever may be chosen chief executive
| Further, we have no desire to run
ANYBODY, and shall most assuredly ALLOW
no mortal to run" us. We are a fire
born, white male citizen, and claim tn
/! iualienable right to speak our min
whenever and wherever we please-ey
er bearing in mind that every othe
American citizen has the same privilege
The FREE Press does not believe ths
the present governor is the stronges
candidate for nomination on the Reput
lican ticket, and so believing its edito
has not hesitated 10 say so. In fact it
the conviction of many very good judge
that he at this time would be the weak
est man the party could put forward
lead in the contest. 1t is well-know
how near defeat we came two years ag(
and the anImosity engendered towar
McGill through the methods employe
by some of his friends have weakene
instead of strengthened him. The Den
ocrats have wisely put up a clean man
the person of Eugene NJ. Wilson, and
the Republicans are to retain powe
they must profit by their action and pit
up a man who can hold his party inta,
/ from the fire of the enemy. If the RI
/ publican majority shall select Mr.. NJ,
Gill We will support him as heartily {
any other candidate who may in th
wisdom of the party be chosen. b
there is little or no probability that tn
, convention will select him. What
wanted, and what we must have if SUI
, cess is obtained at the polls, is cand
, date who is not run by the machine pr,