St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-10-13
McGILL ON MERRIAM.

Ex-Gov. A. r. MCGILL, like Secretary
BLAINE, has too much business on hand
to spare any time for politics this year.
Yet the ex-governor manages to find
time to get out to county fair OCCASION
ally and give the farmers a good, sound
talk on their relations to the politics of
the country, and it is noticeable that he
doesn't say anything that wo uld encour-
age farmer to support the existing
Republican dynasty in this state.
Gov. MCGILL's address before the
Murray county agricultural fair last
week illustrates his views on the pres
ent political situation in this state. 1t
wasn't such speech as Gov. MERRIAM
would have paid his predecessor to
make for him. In fact, while no names
were mentioned and no party was partic-
ularly alluded to, it was about as hard
dig at MERRIAM and the Republican
organization as either Judge WILSON or
Mr.. OWEN could have given. 1t was a
speech which reads admirably between
the lines as an urgent appeal to the
farmers of this state to throw Off the
yoke of despotism which the Republi-
can machine has fastened upon them.
For fear that we may be charged with
| giving an unfair coloring to Gov. Nc
GILIl'S remarks we will quote his exact
words, and let our readers place their
own Interpretation upon them. He be-
gan that portion of the address which
refers to the politics of the state by say
| ing: "In Minnesota the power of the
farmer predominates. His influence for
| good OF bad will mark the state for a
| thousand years that it will be exercised
| for the best l cannot doubt. Our farm
ers exceed 100000 in number-more
than One-third of the vote population of
| the state"
Then he proceeds to point out to the
farmers the way in which they can
make their influence potent in shaping
| political affairs, in these words: by
cooperative action your power is al
| most complete. You can control and
| regulate public affairs at will" This,
| it will be observed, is the platform of the
| Alliance party, and is precisely what
| Candidate OWEN is advocating.
Then comes the blow at Merriamism.
BY this time the ex-governor had
warmed up to his work and sailed into
| the machine methods and their practi-
cal results in the following glowing
style:
believe you desire honesty in public sta
ton. and economy in the administration of
| public affairs. You further desire an
equalization of the burdens of taxation, and
that the poor man be at all times accorded
| the same opportunities to fill positions of
trust and responsibility as the rich. In this
all good citizens everywhere will agree with
| you. There should be no aristocracy in pub
| against the poor man. Merit alone must be
the test of fitness If we would build up a
| strong government for strong and self
| reliant people. Any other proposition is de-
grading and demoralizing. republican
form of government is better than all others
when pure and upright; but W hen thoroughly
corrupt it becomes the worst. God
grant that here in the North Star
state we may never have reason to
regret the liberties handed down to us
tn trough the brave and heroic sacrifices OF
the fathers of the republic 1t is the duty of
every voter to take an interest and hand in
public matters. This duty is imposed by our
form of government. You are the rulers
Those who fiji the ofices are but Your sery.
ants. Put none but true men on duty-hon.
est, fearless, upright men, whom you can
trust. If you neglect to exercise your duty
in the nomination and election of public
officers you have no right to complain il
things go wrong. ], for ono, do not feel
frightened when see farmers taking hand
in public affairs-it is an omen for good
When they stay at home and sulk, and refuse
to perform their duties as electors, then
there is cause of apprehension. You are
masters OF the situation. Combined and
working in harmony, you can control the
destinies of the state. Let this great power
be used in the name of justice and wisdom
"Oh, it is excellent to have giants strength,
| but tyraQQOQS to use ii like q giant ,,