St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-02-01
INGERSOLL In TOWN.
BaId-Pated "Bob" Mingles Poll
tics and Religion.


BaId-Pated Bob Mingles Poll
tics and Religion.
"R. G. Ingersoll and wife," was the
signature OH the register Of the West
yesterday. People walked up, ran over
the names, as people will, and never
thought that ''R. &. Ingersoll and wife"
meant anybody out of the ordinary run
of travellers to be found in big, modern
caravansary. They didn't once think
that it stood for the best known agnOStic
Oh this continent. 1t was none other
than round-faced. bald-headed, genial
faced Bob" Ingersoll who has given
the ministers of this country more
trouble than a thousand sinners. bob"
strOlled around the hotel until 4:55,
when he left for Butte, Mont, where ne
will be one of the attorneys i'll the big
Davis will case.
He will stay there about ten days,
and on his way back may lecture in the
Twin Cities on Shakespeare.
The colonel talked to the reporters
a while, and showed that his powers of
sarcasm and vigorous expression had
not been weakened by railway travel.
lie was ready to talk about anything
from heaven to politics, StupendouS as
the range may seem. lie believes that
the modern preacher is growing better
as the world grows Older.
ole used to be quite arrogant, over
bearing, narrow and uncharltable,"
said IngerSoll. ale took great delight
the fires of perdition. He hated science,
and looked upon freethinkerS with alb
horrence. Now he is becoming civilized.
He is not quite certain that his creed'is
true-haS some doubts about inspira-
tion-thinks that miracles need little
more proof, and has concluded that even
hell is not quite as hot as it used to be.
AS for religion in the churches, it is
losing ground. The PreSbyterianS be-
came ashamed of the old creed. Other
churches will follow the example. The
superStitionS will gradually be cast
aside, and the churches will turn their
attention to the affairs of this world.
They will try and teach people to be
happy here. The good that is In the
Bible will be preserved, and the bad
and foolish will be thrown away. Reason
will take the place of religion, philoS-
Ophy of preachers, and virtue the place
of belief.
Yes, ! think the world is growing
better. We are getting liberal. In a
lectual hospitality"
He paid a glowing tribute to the late
secretary OF the treasury, VIM. Window.
He believes that VIM. Mckinley will be
his successor. Coming down to general
politics, he said, he heard that Charles
A. Dana was opposed to Cleveland.
Nevertheless" said he. 81 believe that
nothing can prevent the nomination of
Mr.. and Mrs. Cleveland. Hill will be a
candidate as long as he lives, and can
get more votes in New York than any
other Democrat, but he won't be nomi-
mated"
"Who Will be the Republican candi-
date in 1892" was asked.
Il was for Gresham in 1888, and | was
right. The convention was wrong. l
am still for Gresham, because l believe
he is the best man for the place, because
he has some breadth of mind, because
he has intelligence, integrity and cour-
age"
He is opposed to the restriction of
immigration. For" SAID he, there is
room in this country for ten times as
care of 100000, 200 people; we have
room for all. Let them come. Here are
millions of acres to be cultivated. Ii
those who come are poor and sometimes
ignorant their children will be rich and
intelligent. Let us have pity for the I'M
fortunate of the ola world. Ericsson
was an emigrant, and he did as much
for the United States as any man. living
OF dead, and so l say let the Swedes
come.
1.-The Germans have done us great
good. They have helped to soften old
Puritan theology. They have taught US
to be happy on Sunday. They have
given us higher and nobler ideas Of mu
sic, and have done good service in the
defense of individual liberty. We have
about $500, 900 square miles of territory
and only IS, 000,0 900 of people. So let the
emigrants come. They will not vote the
Democratic ticket forever"
Bob" believes that the force bill is
dead. He believes in silver coinage be-
cause gold is the money of the creditor,
and silver the money of the debtor. He
isn't much of hero worshipper,a accord
ing to this:
"There are lot of men in fthis world
who think they are ID important.
But they aren't. l tell you there are
thousands of men you never hear of
who are just as we'll able to fill places
of prominence as the men who fill those
places now. Men are not so very much
different after ALL"