The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-08-14


be met. The speaker denied that
there was any stealth in the legisla-
ton of 1873, and said that men who
then voted for it are now trying to
poison peoples minds on the ques-
tion. By Republican legislation the
country has been able to coin fifty
two times as much silver since 1873 as
was coined before then, which does
not look like decentralization. Ii the
government is to 60 into the free
coinage business, it would be better
for Minnesota farmers for it to buy
wheat. Reduced prices can be eX-
planned by over production and i'm
proved machinery.
The speaker denied that gold has
appreciated in valaue, saying that the
rate of interest on it demanded Of the
government has declined from seven
and eight per cent to less than three.
In 1892 all who wanted work could
have it, at fair wages. One OF the
promises during the last campaign
was ''No more 70-cent wheat after
the Democrats get ill.," You know
how this has been kept.
The Democrats now say that sound
money is English. 1t is the first time
that that party has ever stood up
against anything foreign. The law
of gravitation was discovered by an
Englishman. The free silverites
might as well demand an American
law of gravitation. We cannot COM
pare our people with those using the
silver standard, yet the silverites ask
us to go do down to the level OF them.
Free silver would wipe out S625,O0O,-
900 of circulation at one stroke, for a
silver basis always drives out gold.
Then silver dollars would be worth
only their bullion value, and it is
claimed that silver can be mined at
thirty cents an ounce with profit.
The speaker denounced Tillman for
his sectionalism, and talked down an
archy, complimenting Cleveland on
putting down the mobs in Chicago.
The Democrats have swallow
ed the Populists. The speaker
! believed that there would be anarchy
in six months if the Democrats win in
the coming election. But the Amer
lean people are returning to their
senses, and in November one of the
glorious, grand old victories will be
won, when loyalty and patriotism will
assert themselves. The speaker was
frequently interrupted by applause.
The club decided that the next
meeting should be held on the call OF
the executive committee.
President Young stated that there
are $500 voters in the, city and 1000
in the county, and 700 are in the
doubtful column. The club must un-
dertake to convert these, and should
have l ZOO members before September
/. and 1,5OO before Mckinley is elect
ed. Auxiliary clubs should be started
in each town.
Rev. L. w. Beattie said that there
never was so large hope of a great
revival. 1t will only be necessary tc
go to great many doubtful ones once,
who like himself were formerly Dem.
ocrats. The law, morality, patriotism
throughout the entire history of the
country are now being threatened
When Democratic president stands
| for law and order and a Democratic
convention condemns him for it, there
is no question where the best element
| of that party must stand. Ali that Is
necessary is to hang together. There
are a large number Of Democrats
who regard law, order and the en-.
forcement of law as above party. (Pro.
longed applause.) Rev. Beattie said
that this was his first attempt at a
political speech. The executive COM
mittee should designate places where
men can sign the clubs constitution,
for there were many Democrats, who,
like himself, had been aching for an
opportunity to join. The country will
be swept next fall by the supporters
of good government. We can trust
society for this. We should put into
office men whom the moneyed men
have confidence in, that the latter
will not draw out their money from
business.
M. G.. Willard said that the free sill
yer craze was largely in the country
districts, and that auxiliary clubs
should be formed, whose presidents
should be ex officio vice presidents OF
this club. He denied Mr.. Bergstrom' Is
statement that the Democrats had
swallowed the Populists, and said that
it was just the other way. There are
some Democrats who do not want to
be swallowed, and the way for them
to join our club should be made as
easy as possible.
Some more names were added to the
club list, and the meeting adjourned.