Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1896-09-22
ISSUES OF THE CAMPAIGN.

lated with your party, deem it not out of
1lace to briefly state my own convictions
on the issues in this campaign. The pres
ent contest is not one of platform, but of
issues. Hence, shall not devote Hny time
to platform discussion, except to say that
IN the new alignment of political forces
which has taken place, and is in daily
progress, there is sufficient unanimity on
the vital and imminent questions, as
formally expressed in the several plat
forms of the reform forces, to enable us to
cheerfully cooperate and work together
tor the common good of our state and
nation.
That this is not an ordinary campaign is
clearly evidenced, not only by the action
OF your convention, but by the action of
the other great party to which have re-
ferred. No mere temporary condition of
our politics would bring together such
great divisions of our people, who have
heretofore been opposing and contending
elements in our politics, nor would go
many members of the Republican party
ignore the ties of party association and
friendships and ally themselves with those
to whom they have been opposed in the
past for trivial causes. Nothing but ques-
tons of vital importance-a sense Of COM
mon danger and an aroused patriotism
would make this great body of our people
forget all past differences, ignore consid-
erations of creed, nationality, party pre-
JUDGES and party pride, and unite in
harmonious action, both nationally and
In this state.
The underlying cause of this great
movement it may be difficult to express in
= apt words, but, in my own mind, l am
clear that however it may be formulated
by different individuals, or in different
platforms, the conviction has forced itself
upon the great mass of our people that in
the appropriation of the great natural
wealth of our country, and in the distri-
button of the increased products of human
industry, caused by the employment of
modern inventions and labor saving ma
chinery, the few, and the owners of cap
1tal, have obtained more than their fair
share. The farmer feels that, though his
power of producing riches for others has
been increased beyond comparison, his
hours of toll have not shortened and the
net reward for his labor is growing less
from year to year. In the field of organ
lied labor, though wages have been fairly
well maintained by reason of organiza-
ton, the specter Of want Of employment
is constantly before the workman's mind.
If he has children, his solicitude for their
future weighs heavier upon him than his
own toll. The farm laborer has not only
suffered by material reduction in
wages, but he 5 largely ceased to
look forward with either the hope or e1-
pectation of becoming the owner of farm
himself as has been the rule in the past
The demand for his service is declining,
as the farmers grow less able to employ
help, and he, with others unemployed,
drifts to the cities and makes the condi-
tons of obtaining employment and main
tanning wages more difficult there. Such
are the conditions which no candid OBJ
server can deny. The patriotic citizen,
while hopeful for the speedy and peace
able solution of this problem and conf
dent Of the the American people to devise
means, in accordance with the constitu-
ton and spirit Of our institutions, for
correcting the errors of the past and for
securing a more equitable distribution Of
the enormous wealth which our country
produces cannot but fear the consequences
If this work is long delayed, and it is this
fear and solicitude which has united the
people. -, = = 4 4 4-.e=Nzz