The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1894-11-01
SAUK CENTRE, MINI.
THURSDAY. November I. 1894.
The DEMOCRATIC MEE11Nc.

The DEMOCRA TIC MEETING.
As an all around dismal failure the
democratic meeting on Thursday ever
ing last was ghttering success. The
cohorts OF democracy, the great men OF
the party, were all here-Gen. Geo. L.
Becker, candidate for governor. NJ. r.
Baldwin, candidate for congress and
Messrs, Cutcheon and McGinnis, right
and left supporters OF the gentlemen
above mentioned. Gen. Becker is a
handsome, digni6ed and altogether
worthy gentleman Of the old school,
clean. honorable and Anticipated "a
Ieffersonian democrat who has forgot
ten nothing aud lea, ned nothing politi-
cally since he voted his maiden ticket.
He was the FIRST speaker, and made q
pleasant little address. thoroughly ac-
ceptable as a whole. saying nothing in
particular, and saying it very sweetly.
He made no enemies and fewer votes for
his party. Having no policy he outlined
it briefly.
he was followed by Major Baldwin,
who was listened to with interest so
long as he lectured on Indian reserva-
tions and deep water ways. He said
nothing objectionable relative to the
tariff. dem ,cratic legislation on silver,
the force hill or any other measures and
issues of congress or the campaign. He
very judiciously ignored them. Not one
word of democratic policy in relation
to state or national issues. He
attempted TO enthuse his disappointed
audience over two matters only, as bar
rem of interest in this campaign as the
tale the sphinx might to tell if it could
talk. Close and intimate association
with President Cleveland had taught
the major the frequent and effective use
of the singular pronoun Of the first
person-and II" was conspicuous and
oft-repeated part Of his address. II he
had stopped with these inconsequential
features the major would not have lost
very many votes as the result OF his
address. But whom the gods would
destroy they first make mad, and the
major was mac clear through. He forgot
the dignity due his Office, the comfy of
political discussion, and launched out
into a personal TRADE against Hon.
Charles A.. Towne. He sneered and
belittled his adversary with the desIer-
alton born of conscious defeat. 1t was
pitiable and it was surprising, for in
normal conditions the major is genial
gentleman and was a good soldier, and
/ ma fight with right on his side and vic
tory possibility he would not so far
forget himself as he did on this occasion.
A bad and hopeless cause had soured
his sweetness and rut out his light. But
he is not so much to be blamed as to be
pitied tor thus greasing the political
toboggan slide down which he is so
rapidly travelling to oblivion. What
was begun for to he so soon done for"
was the burden of his song.
And then Cutcheon,
And then McGinnis.
S. NJ. Owen said in his address that
abuse is the weapon of the scoundrel.
Abuse and Misrepresentation were the
sole weapons oil the petty "twoiers"
above mentioned. The HERALD will
not dignity them by special reference,
further than to say that they were as
devoid of truth as they were Of decency
or ability. The republicans feel under
obligations to the persons who SO
kindly induced them to speak here, for
as Towne vote getters they are dandies.