St. Paul daily globe., 1896-04-18
A POLITICAL DEsPOTISM.


er the American Protective association
is supporting Mr.. Mckinley or fighting
him. That it's members have been
active in his favor up to a.
certain point, and especially in
the Southern states, appears to
be a well-established fact. Recently
there have been notices of sus-
picious frequency sent out judiciously
from different centers in the country,
to the effect that the A. P. A. leaders
were not satisfied with Mr.. McKinley's
attitude, and would be obliged to op-
pose him. This may be matter Of
fact, and it may also be a skillfully
devised plan to turn public attention
from the activity Of the A. P A, and
to divert suspicion Of voters from its
real plan to promote Mr.. McKinley's
nomination. We do not pretend to
decide between these theories, but
what we do say, and what deserves the
attention Of every man who loves free
dom for himself or is willing to grant
1t to others, Is that the A. P. A. or
ganization is active in politics today
in this country as it has never been
before. That activity, moreover. In
spite Of the denials Of It's members
and sympathizers, takes the shape OF
an absolute control Of the voters po-
ntical opinions and acts. It is not
merely an association formed volun-
tarily to promote certain objects ap-
proved by its members, 1t is an alb
solute hierarchy In which the member
submits his political views and actions
implicitly to the control Of his off,
cial superiors.
The members Of the A. P. A.. as
fitting preliminary to their work
Of destroying the political nber-
ties of others, must surrender their
own. We make this assertion on the
strength Of an interview published re-
Gently with Mr.. Frederick C.. Camp
bell, who is said to be the head official
Of the A. P. A. in Minnesota. He is a.
member Of the supreme executive
board, and also supreme treasurer
Questioned in regard to the relation
of the association to Mr.. McKinIey's
campaign, Mr.. Campbell spoke as fol-
lows:
Il know, as every well-posted member. of
the association knows that the supreme ad-
yisory political board which has charge pri-
marily of the associations political matters
has been investigating the merits of the Re-
publican presidential aspirants. I have no
way of knowing whether this published story
is true. have been shouting Mckinley for
couple Of months, and would be sorry If
had to shout for some one else now. I ex-
pect to hear from the proper official in a few
days, and will then know just what the facts
are in regard to this matter"
This is definite enough to suit any
body. Mr.. Campbell says that he has
been shouting Mckinley, and would
like to continue to shout Mckinley.
He would be very sorry to change his
political attitude. But he has to walt
for advices from headquarters. What
ever the chiefs of the order say must
be done. No candidate can be sup
ported Of whom they disapprove, and
the individuals political views are Of
no account or weight when the asso-
citation sends out its fat. This will
be interesting news to q good many
of our readers who have been persuad-
ed that the A. P. A. is a harmless
| sort of affair that does not pretend to
meddle with anybody's political beliefs,
and merely promotes its own principles
in mild and harmless sort Of fash
ion. It is in reality a secret oath-bound
association, whose sole purpose Is the
prescription Of a large class of our
| methods Of the inquisition. It is un-
American. undemocratic, illfberal and
| tyrannous. No man who belongs to 1t
| or obeys it can call himself free.