The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1893-12-22
GOV. RUSSELL'S WALL.

Ia the current North american ReUie,U,
Gov. Russell, of Massachusetts, dis
courses on the Political Causes of
the Business Depression" The line
which he takes in making his point
is much what you would expect to see
in an administration organ, but hard
ly rises to the level that one would
expect from such distinguished
source in one of the leadinI magazines.
1t is one continued wall that the
cause of all the trouble is the Repub-
lican legislation, urder which the
country has thrived for third Of
century. Why after this long period
of progress the same laws should of
themselves work such a decided re-
versal in the affairs of the nation, he
fails entirely to explain. We are still,
he says, under Republican laws. If
mills are closed, and men are idle, it
is well to remember that the McKin-
ley bill and high protection are still
in full force; if the cause of sound
money is threatened, that the Sher-
man law has only just been repealed"
1t would also be we'll to remember
that up to March 4th last, under a
Republican administration and under
these same laws, the country was
prosperous, although Gov. Russell for
got to mention this important fact.
1t should also be remembered that
this prosperity was not disturbed I'M
til a free trade administration was
elected and installed in power, backed
by party tinctured by every financial
heresy the country ever knew.
Is man threatened by complica
tiOn of diseases, which are abort to
PROSTATE him upon bed of sickness,
capable Of taking hold and pushing
successfully gigantic business enter
prises? Does Gov. Russell and his
free trade associates suppose that
sound Republican legislation will give
continued prosperity, when the con-
troll of the government and the en-
forcement of such legislation is in the
hands of those opposed to such pol
cy, and,who threaten it with destruc-
tion, and declare it to be their inten
tion to change the economic policy of
the country entirely? If they really
hug such a delusion to their hearts,
then they are most visionary indeed.
Referring to the silver repeal bill,
and the part which the purchase of
silver had with the money scare, he
says the Democratic party was ''called
upon to face this responsibility; it
found united action impossible, and
the only course open concession or a
fight. 1t chose the latter" Had he
said it was forced to the latter by the
man in the White House he would
have been much nearer the truth.
The spirit of compromise. he says,
was in the air, but Democratic prece-
dents and pledges prevailed. How
did they prevail? Democracy stood
ready to compromise rather than do
that which it had pledged it would do,
and could it have secured the consent
of the. president, compromise would
have prevailed in spite of presidents
and pledges. In fact, had the Repub-
licans refrained from voting the cause
of sound money would have gone
down, as majority of the Democratic
representative repudiated the pledges
of their party, and voted against re-
peal.
The free trade leaders may try to
continue this game of bluff, but the
people are onto them, and the twist
Ing and distortion of the actual facts
will not avail them anything.