Little Falls weekly transcript. (Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minn.) 1894-19??, 1896-07-24
TOWNE TALKS.
Had a Right to Change, But
Didn't-But is Right, it
He Did. -.
Devotes Much of His Talk to
Defending Himself,W =.
Was Needed.
The Great "Conspiracy" and
= Hostility to Banks are
His Long Suit.

Congressman Towne, who Is now
an "lndependent" candidate Tor
congress. and will later undoubtedly
he the Democratic and Populist nom.
inee for that Office, had u large
audience Saturday evening to hear
his free silver speech at the opera
house. The public takes All active
interest in the financial question
this year, and the sudden adoption
by the Democratic party OF the plan
to radically change the currency
laws of the nation by admitting
silver to free and unlimited coinage.
at a ratio that is far different from
it's commercial value compared with
gold, has brought the issue sharply
before the American people. The
voters OF all parties are anxious to
learn more about the question, and
any speaker who promises to EN-
tighten them will have hearers this
year.
It was evident from the tone Of the
remarks Saturday evening that
bogie man of a conspiracy" is one
of the great points OF the silver ap-
peal. 1t is not the conspiracy" Of
silver mine owners of the Western
states, but the ''conspiracy' of the
leading statesmen of the country
that Towne and other free silver
speakers are SO fearful OF.
E. s. Smith, who was the Pop
ulist candidate for the legislature
two gears ago, but who has taken
part in Democratic politics this year,
introduced the Leaker Of the even
ing. Mr.. Smith at once trOtted out
the conspiracy" bugaboo, and de-
clared that for over twenty years
there has been a conspiracy to adj
vance the value of money, and en-
slave the people. He was certain
that the Republican party was the
tool of the enemies of mankind, and
pledged himself to aid in the present
great battle for freedom. Mr.. Smith
then introduced congressman TOwne.
The audience was evidently there to
hear, and not to greet one they adj
mired. His reception was certainly
chilly, and for good reason. The
Democrats and Populists In attend
ance had opposed him bitterly ut the
last election, and he had not been
sparing of his criticism of them and
their parties. The rank and file
could not therefore at once begin
worship of him. The Republicans
present looked upon him az one who
had betrayed the trust they had
placed in him, an d their aversion for
him was much more emphatic than
it would he for consistent and rep
resentatiye Democrat or Populist
speaker. Hehad left his old sup
pOrters, and had not yet acquired
new ones, 80 there was nothing In
the character OF a demonstration"
in his reception.
Mr.. Towne began by discussing the
subject that was probably in the
minds of nearly all his listeners when
he accosted tbem-that is his atti-
tude now as a Populist or Demo-
crat, compared with his attitude
two years ago as a Republican. He
evidently feels the embarrassment OF
his position, and showed that he felt
it. He had, since his change, ap-
peared before q public meeting of his
folio wers at his home in Duluth, and
there he faced many who had drifted
with him from the Republican party;
many who supported him in 1894,
and were still his friends and sup.
pOrters in 1896. He had made a few
political speeches in other parts of
the state lately, since he deserted the
party. but this was his
first appearance in the district (out-
side Of Duluth) since his conversion
to Populism or Democracy. Ee
ound here none of the personal or
neighhorly ties that encourage him
1T Duluth. He met people here who
him with suspicion, and to
whom he very properly began to ex-
plain himself: He began by telling his
tina t "change" was an indica-
ion of progress and vitality. Such
examples as the stagnancy Of stand
ng water, and the healthiulness Of
he rushing, sparkling brook were
,iven to indicte that consistency
was avice that he abhorred. Some
were devoted to this subject,
Ind the Democrats and POpulists on
the platform with him became quite
IN thusiastic and demOnstrative over
his glowing tribute to fluctuatiO1,
motion, reversal, and the
various means by which difference of
position could lie attained. He
made a fairly good plea for the right |
Of one to change his opinion. He |