St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-10-06
THE POLITICAL FIELD-GLASS


have received at the hands of the Re-
publican party, and year by year they
have been turning their faces toward
the Democracy with such frequency
that they have become very large ele-
ment OF the party. The action of the
late Republican state convention in de
feating Col. Mattson, because he was a
Swede. and then nominating Charley
Holcombe, just as sop, has done more
to convince this large and intelligent
element Of the voters of the state of the
inconsistency and trickery of the Re
pubiIcans than anything else that could
have been done.
Only last week the Minnesota Posten.
an ably edited Swedish paper, pub
hshed IN this city, came out boldly and
announced that 1t would hereafter be
found supporting the cause of Democ-
racy. The tariff reduction promises of
the Republicans two years ago are re-
ferred to in eaustic manner. and the
manner in which these promises have
been carried out is shown bv careful
analysis of the Mckinley tariff bill. The
article. which was headed Ion the Right
Side," follows:
We have taken the subject as to which
party would have our support in the an
preaching election into serious considera-
ton, and have made up our mind that. as far
as the State of Minnesota is concerned this
paper will be found on the side of the Dem
Ocratic party. In taking this course we have
been induced neither by personal interest
nor for pecuniary consideration, but sim
ply because we are firmly convinced that the
Democratic party at present is the only
political party through which such reduc-
ton in the exorbitant tariff taxes can be
effected as will satisfy the wishes and the
wants OF the laborlng man.. Year after year
the Republican party has habitually thrown
dust in the eyes of the masses by making
promises which have never been fulfilled
Year after year it has gone on promising and
forgetting. With such facts before our
eyes. it is impossible to work for
party which, as to principles, only
deals in high-soUndlng words and phrases
without ever giving serious thought to put
ting them into practice. AS far as we are
concerned, we have principles in politics as
well as in other things, and we believe that
the greater part of our people too, have
principles and know how to make use of
them when they cast their votes. We spring
direct from the deep ranks of the people
and have no titled ancestry to brag about
Consequently we have nothing in common
with that plutocracy which, under the name
CT Repubiicanism, at the present time is
seeking the support of our people. The last
congress has, by its unprecedented eXtrava-
gance, more than plainly demonstrated that
the income from taxation on the poor mans
earnings, by the aid of the tariff. is so enor-
nous that it must be squandered in one
way or other in order to prevent
a stagnatien in the money market.
Since we recognize that the democratic
party is favorable and pledged to the reduc-
ton of the tariff, we then place ourselves on
the side of the laboring classes. IL is this
class which more than any other is in sore
need of a reduction in the prices of its daily
necessities. But when the laborer votes for
the Republican party he votes against his
own interest, undermines himself and brings
about his own economical ruin. 1t is of the
utmost importance that every citizen at the
coming election for congressman throw his
vote Tor such men as are willing and bound
to be spokesman for the people and not for
the monopolists. We have had enough of
Mckinley and his company We need re-
form. and reform cannot be had through the
Republican party. We must look to another
party for this reform, aid the Democratic
party is the only party that is i'll position
to give us this tariff reform; and, therefore,
this party commands our sympathieS in this
campaign.
There is, besides, another important reason
why we as Swedes should give the Demo
cratic ticket all the aid we are capable of
giving. Taking into account the Well-known
fact that down to this date we Swedes have
been rather Republican in the exercise
of our political rights, it has come so far
that the Republican party does not consider
it necessary to acknowledge us any further
than as serviceable instruments for the sue
cess of the party. The leaders of that party
consider us so well linked and bound to the
party that they can treat us as they please.
Our claims for recognition in the representa-
ton of the party have of late been re-
celved with anything but courtesy.
We are good enough to go to
the polls and deposit our ballots
for their candidates, but we are not
good enough to be the equals of these Re-
publicans when the distribution of Office and
the representation in the party are under con-
slderation. This attempt of the Republican
party to degrade us in our national and polit
1cal rights furnishes us with another suffi-
cient reason for turning our back on this
party, and for supporting the Democratic
party, at whose hands we have on all -oeca-
sions been treated, with kindness and due
consideration, and very often more than we
deserved, Notwithstanding our own political
stubbornness. We do not belong to those
who want 10 make political capital out of our
silence and swallow the contempt by
which we are classified as Swedes
aid relegated from political offices.
The Republican party has more than
once shown disposition to treat us as vot-
ing cattle. Col. Mattson's defeat is still
fresh in our minds, and to judge of what we
know of the Swedish people, we believe that
on the election day it will be seen that we
will rise from our political Indifference and
make our strength known to the bosses of
the Republican party. Among the Swedish
papers on the journalistic field we stand
alone upright in the battle for justice alone
i'll the battle for our peoples interest. But
this will only Stir us the more in fighting for
the honest representation of our people. and
for reduction of the present tariff system
for the benefit of the working classes and
the community at large
The Eighth ward Democrats will meet
at Plebusch'S hall, corner Lafond and
Arundel streets, tomorrow evening.
when they will be addressed Dy Howard
l.. Smith, B. Fl. Schriber, John S.
Goode and Tom f. Martin.
The Albert Lea Standard is one of
the oldest Republican papers in South
ern Minnesota, and has long had the
reputation of being one of tile few can
did. honest and fearless papers in the
state. Its editor, FL. G. Day. is man
who is capable of taking a liberal view
of the policy and principles of his
opponents. and is man enough to say so.
He believes in the Republican party
just SO long as that party offers the best
candidates, and advocates the cause of
the people with the greatest
zeal, and no longer. Mr. Day
is this year firmly of the
opinion that a change of rule in this
state would be an excellent thing. first
as a sort of discipline to the Republican
party for its many sins of commission
and omission, and, second, because the
Democratic party is this year closer in
sympathy with the people and is more
earnest in its advocacy of needed re-
form. The following able editorial was
clipped from last weeks Standard:
The only hope for reform, the only pros
pect for justice through legislation, the only
promise for ali honest rule Of the people, for
the people. is through exposure. criticism
and intelhgent,e earnest ana persistent rebuke
of the governing party. The Republican
party is no worse and little, If any, better
and spoilsnen dictate its policy as to
all measures in which they are interested.
If the Democratic party was in power
/ it would require equal if not greater disci-
pine: but out of power. and chiefly as