New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1892-02-24
THE COMBINE.

A good many Republicans, it seems,
are inclined to believe that there is
nothing in the reported combine be-
tween VIM. R. Merriam, Knute Nelson
and few others for the control of the
politics of the state. Prompted by
desire to keep peace within
the party, they have nothing but
good words to say for these men,
and denounce. as evil disturbers,
the few who have raised their voices
against control by the gang, But let
us see.
Int the first place, what has Knute
Nelson ever done that he should be
considered above such q deal? When
McGill was nominated he became a
mug Wump and sulked when Merriam
wanted Il nomination he left the state
for fear the blind admiration of the
people might cause him to cross the
governors path; when IN congress he
voted for Democratic and un-Repub-
lican measure, simply because he want.
ed to please faction of nisled consti.
tuents. In fact he has hated Davis,
Lind aud almost every other Republican
who might possibly stand in the way of
his own advancement Such conduct
is not Republican, nor does it indicate
that in a combine with men like Mr..
Merriam, the Alexandria statesman
would not find alluring charms.
AS for Mr.. Merriam, his record is not
of the kind to lead anyone to believe
that he would hold back from com
bine with any feeling OF virtuous con-
tempt. From beginning to end, his
whole political career has been one con-
tinual succession of schemes and plots,
with ambition as an incentive and
wealth and cunning as q lever. He has
made low tariff speechas one day and
high tariff talks the next; he has insult.
ed and disregarded the warnings of
some of the best and truest men in the
party, and in selfish greed has sold out
men who were running on the same
ticket as himself merely to aid and albeit
his individual cause. He has ached for
Office and honors and has not hesitated
to sacrifice party interests to gain his
personal ends. In short he has done
more to injure the Republican party in
the last two years than any man in it.
Then why should any good Republican
hesitate OF fear to oppose these men,
when it is. so apparent that the public
good is not to be considered in the sat-
isfaction OF their ambitions? That
combine exists between them there
need no longer be any doubt. Merriam
would not be constantly extolling upon
the virtues Of the Alexandria man, nor
would the latter be giving way to Mr..
Merriam, unless there was something
in 1t for both. Each has prospective
offices in view and unless there hadebeen
an arrangement between them whereby
one is to aid the other and each receive
what he wants, their selfish natures
would prevent them from manifesting
so much brotherly love, the one for the
other. How many others may be in the
combine, we cannot say. But let them
be eyer SO numerous or ever so promi-
nent, they are not banded together for
the general good.Self is the initial word
OF every section of their platform and
it is platform that ough to be buried,
not encouraged. The best politics is
that which gets its inspiration from the
masses, and does not seek to thrive be-
hind closed doors. The latter degrades
and weakens the party that encourages
it. 1t depends for its existence on
fnesse and the ignorance of the public,
1t shuns intelligence and hates OPEN
ness. 1t is what makes Hill detested
II the eyes of the better class of Demo
Gratis, and it is what causes Quay to be
the object of striDging criticism from
Republican sources. If the Re-
publicans of Minnesota, therefore,
desire to keep clear of the stigma of
ring rule, they will let Messrs. Mer-
riam, Nelson ct al alone. They are
men whom it IS better to have without
the party than within.