The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-10-27
INTENSE AMERICANIsM c9)
A Sedgwick County Farmer Attends Pop
Melting.

| To the Editor of the Eagle.
belong to a race that is recorded in
history as being brave almost to fault;
the enthusiasm Of that race. coupled with
| its daring impetuosity conquered the
British Isles ana placed Canute and Hard
icanue On the English throne. It was the
infusion Of Scandinavian blood that vital
lied the Normans who again imposed
their rule on the naughty Albion by the
overthrow Of the Saxon dynasty. With
the blood of this gallant race rushing
through my veins l went to a political
meeting on last Saturday night in Delano
township. This meeting was called by
the Populists, and two speakers addressed
us who had the honor of representing this
county in the legislature last winter. The
Intelligence of political party can he as
certained by the Intelligence of the men
who are selected for places of trust and
profit. Judged by this rule the Popuiist
party in Sedgwick county is lacking not
in craftsmanship but in common sense.
The first lawmaker %, who addressed us
in a low voice and nasal twang, assured
us that the "Greenlee hill" was not worth
the paper it was written on. An individ-
ual in Wichita, l am told, said
so, but l never heard of this
individual before, and know
he Is not constitutional lawyer therefore
his opinion on this question is worth per-
haps as much as mine. He told us with
charming frankuess that he voted for this
bill knowing its defects because the Popu-
list senate wonld amend it. Just imagine,
Mr.. Editor, a representative of the people
voting for law that he knew was not
worth the paper on which it was written!
He told us in conclusion that the maxi
mum bill endorsed by the Populists was
killed by Republicans because they knew
that the provisions Of that law would give
MS in Kansas fair and equitable rates. He
then sat down.
The second law-maker gave us dreary
repetition of the first lawmakers speech,
with the addition of declaration which
took US all by surprise. He assured Us
twice over that he was an intense Ameri-
can. His intense Americanism" consist
eo OF bis hatred of foreigners; no foreigner,
according to this sage, should DE allowed
to vote in this country until they resided
here twenty-one years. Our children has
to wait that long, aud foreigners should
not be placed above them" These are his
exact words, bad grammar aud all
l have no love for political
or a religious bigot. pity his benighted
condition. and l would willingly contri-
butte toward the creation of fund to be
expended for tho enlightenment of such
intense Americans" as the Mount Hope
law-maker.
In this age and country the brotherh God
OF man is accepted as the cardinal doctrine
OF the Republic, and permit me to assure
the Mount Hope solon that tits an I'M
changeable belief in certain ideas and not
the accident of birth that makes a man
intensely American" Van Allen was
unfortunately born in America: he is in
tensely English. don't you know" He
voted for me first time last November,
although he is nearly so years old. He de-
clares that America was not fit place for
gentleman or lady to reside 10; yet he was
nominated by Grover Cleveland as minis
ter to Italy fer a consideration of ,OOO
Although was born in Sweden there is
not an intelligent American but what will
declare that am more intensely Ameri-
can" than either of these men who know
ingly ratified an agreement that brings
the blush OF shame to the cheeks of true
American.
When the Populist law-maker satisfied
his audience largely composed of men
born in foreign countries and their sons)
that he was in very benighted condition
he went off on a tangent to the Greenlee
bill. He assured us that the Greelee bill
would be declared unconstitutional by
court of law; but the maximum freight
bill could not be changed by the courts.
My ardent temperament would not bear
patiently such foolish assertions any
longer; jumped to my feet and told him
that the maximum freight bill in Nebraska
was now subject for judicial investiga-
ton. consequently it was no better than
the Greenlee bill which he ignorantly con-
demned. He was forced to acknowledge
WAS right, aud then we adjourned and /
went home. NELs MARTINsoN.