The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-02-02

q great soldier, a statesman, Or law
yer, this city, that may have been his
home during part Of his life, mourns
his loss and reveres his memory.
There was striking similarity between
Mr.. Blaine's passage over the Silent
River, and the crossing of
that other unconquerable Ameri-
can - General Grant Both were
intensely. and always, AMERICAN. Both
We're great and aggressive. Neither
ever surrendered to any earthly power.
Each was upon the bed Of death for
months, from which each knew he
could never rise.
Whatever may be the view of the
reader about the advisability Of passing
the Anti-Option Bill, there can be no
possible difference of opinion as to the
character of the contest waged by sena-
tor Washburn, of Minnesota. No meas
ure presented for congressional consid-
GRAFTON during several years has pro-
volzed the opposition brought out by the
Anti-Option Bill. Money, influence,
corporate greed, commercial prejudice
and financial traditions We're all consol-
dated against him. The Junior Senator
from Minnesota has labored with energy
and patience to attain his end. Even
the enemies of the bill unite in compli-
menting the Senator upon the legisla-
tive ability he has manifested in the
contest. Senator Washburn said to the
writer:
''This fight has been made in the in.
terest Of the farmers and producers of
America. No class Of men have been
SO heartlessly and criminally treated as
the food producers of the Nation by the
constituencies spectators Of the large
commercial .centers. Long agoI deter
mined that if the opportunity was
offered to me to do so, would strike one
blow at the gambling fend that was
robbing the honest people Of the country
of their hard earned substance. That
blow I embodied in the Anti-Option
Bill. The men who deal in futures, as
class, compose the most dangerously
criminal element of the commercial
classes today Behind the system Of
dealing in futures the enabling spirit
has taken its final refuge. All othe,
forms of gambling become moral whe1
compared with this. It is not only rob
bling and running the farmers ani
planters Of the country, but is doing
infinitely more injury to the gamblers
themselves. Every great, organized
crime is always most ruinous to the
criminals who seek to profit by it.
was SO with slavery, with polygamy
with the Louisiana lottery. It is 81
with option dealing.
For two years have been traducet
and slandered as no other public MAI
has been since the war period. This
consider the highest praise that coul(
possibly be conferred upon me person
ally, and the very strongest argumen
in favor Of the justice and righteous
ness Of my measure. Until I began
this fight had no sort of conception O
the terrific ramifcations of this organ
lied crime, OF Of the mighty infuenc
itswielded for wrong doing. Every ste]
taken in studying the subject ha
opened new Evistas Of criminality, in
justice, organized selfshness and down
right robbery that have perfectl
amazed me. knew years ago, by in
stinct rather than information, tina
option dealing was wrong. But unit
lately did not know how infamousl
vile it was. And it's worst feature
that it is utterly impossible to fix pei
sonal responsibility for any one Of it
catalogue of sins. If the crimes an
misdemeanors of the system could /
divided and personalized, one season
operations in the grain and cotton ma
ket alone would suffice to people an
overflow every state prison in til
country. a-'.. T.. :
my fight against the system has on]
just commenced. If I live it will
prosecuted in other directions, If d
there are now plenty Of younger an
stronger mon to take up the work whel
I leave off.
Mr.. johnson, member of the Hou
from North Dakota, has returned fro
his flying trip to Bismarck where
went, as proclaimed by many new
papers, for the purpose of 'sdownir
Casey" Mr.. Johnson, in speaking
me, disclaimed any such intention, al
stated that his visit was made chiefly
use what influence he might have, fir
in securing the return of Republic;
Senator, and secondly to see for himst
whether money was actually being us
dishonesty to further the chances