The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1894-11-02

Is law. [ do not recommend the senate
bill. Time will show its faults and de-
fects. Whatever good there may be in it
will be shown by trial. Meantime the
duty is to seek way out of these present
misfortunes. Education is absolutely es-
sential to a nation not merely to the lead
ers, but to every citizen. Many ways of
imparting sound opinions have been
known. In the old days great men and
leaders stated what ought to be done.
Men formed their judgments from that.
Men formed their own judgments as they
became more equal, demanding reasons
and causes for the stated opinion. Both have
power and strength but there is another
way OF learning if insisted on. That is the
hard school of experience This is said to
be the most effectual, the most abiding,
and it is means of knowledge that all
may have.
Misfortunes Come to Instruct.
Republican orators were many years
laying down arguments just as sound as
today, but were not listened to, but de-
rided. Today the same arguments come
home and we have had the opportunity to
face the facts and practice For my part
/ do not believe any permanent misfor-
tunes happen. These come on to instruct,
and maybe we will obtain two years edu-
cation to pay for the miseries we have en-
dured A tariff bill ought to contain such
provisions as will preserve the American
market to American people. 1t is Of the
utmost Importance for practical protec-
ton that the people endure competition.
The experiences of the last two years and
of the next two will sufficiently establish
the doctrines for which the Republicans
contend. This will come to those who
voted wrong and to many who voted
right. The idea of infant industries was
sound and good enough for the purpose,
and that was the main point in protection.
Today the sound basis for protection is
the wages of the people If l did not be-
lieve that protection was the best method
to distribute to any and all of the people
of the great gifts God has stored up for
them in the earth and in the water and in
the air of this great country |
Would Not BE a Loyal American.
If we believe the tariff can do all its
own work we should not demand its re-
| tention. Those professed friends of labor
who proclaim special classes especially in
| political platforms. should be watched.
My motive in urging this is the old one of
self. Because everything leads me to be
lieve that when prosperity is found good,
| wages will come and will then try to get
my share. 1t is perfectly true that in this
| country business prosperity may mean
| large fortunes for enterprising men and
captains of industry. 1t was never no
| ticed otherwise elsewhere. There are rich
men all over Europe. The Rothchilds
| have not ceased To make money. nor has
| Lord Armstrong; nor did Woodwork die
II pauper. | have the same envy of the
| rich as my neighbors; my consolation Is
| that no man can make anything unless he
embarks in industry and that means
wages and cheap goods, There are two
| kinds of cheapness. the legitimate and the
| Legitimate Cheapness, without money,
as now, is illegitimate. Cheapness with
money is what every nation longs for. If
it be said that it is strange that this dis
tribution which it is claimed protection
will bring is not appreciated by wage
earners and voters. the answer is that
there are periods of darkness.