The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-06
THINK IT OF NO USE
Continued From First Page.

at the capitol, and the attendance was
quite large. many from the city be-
ing attracted by the programme. Presi
oent Verminyea made short address
ana was followed by NJ. j. Costello
whose principal effort was directed
AGAINST the banking system of the
country. He said that he regarded Il
as providential that BRYAN was nor
elected. IF we,, confronted, by tba
present condition of finance and bust
ness, were looking forward to the in
auguration of our president next
March, the press of the country could
not De promising early return Of pros
piIy as they are doing now, but
Woulu De abusing us and our president
as the cause Of all the disaster and
nara times, declared Mr.. Costello De-
spite the fact that Mr. Costello is only
an amateur farmer, he made an ad-
dress that was immensely pleasing ia
his hearers.
The chief orator CT the evening. Hon
w: w. Erwin, was then introduced He
said in part:
me men who till Gods SOIL who take their
IeWaros IN the abundance Of the earth and
regard crop failures chastisements from on
Hlsn, nave been, are and always will be- the
nope and guard Of Christian civilization. In
thls country there are thirteen millions of
Iamlnes living on farms and in them that
the nope of this nation depends
FARMERS as rule are pessimists They
are seldom congratulated for their achieve
ments or rewarded for their honest efforts
70 accomplish public good. 1t is for this
reason that propose to tell the farmers here
assembled what they have accomplished not
only FOR themselves, but also for the people OF
the nation and Of the world 1t was the farm
ers of Minnesota who first raised ohiections to
the extortions of railroads. Each wear they
discovered and fought new tyrannies that
threatened their interests, each year accom-
plishing little toward their freedom. But
their progress was slow. They were consery-
auVe and they moved with deiiberation hut
nnaly, in $780, they declared for independent
pol1t1cal action and succeeded in electing a
sumclent number of members of the legis-
lature to control both houses. Their pur-
pose TO create reforms was frustrated to soma
extent Dy the corporations. who still had the
power to prevent remedial legislation but
not the power to kill the doctrines and spirit
OF REFORM. 1t was the farmers who brought
about an investigation of the wheat steal
at Inc superior and Duluth elevators and as
result the farmers of this state get six
cents more per bushel for their wheat than
they did before that investigation was be-
gun. Then the difference between the prica
or the grain at Chicago and at st. Paul and
otner Minnesota points seven cents-to--
day the difference is but one cent That saw
ing OF SIX cents per bushel on 150, COO COO
bushels means saving annually of SO, 900 coo
10 the farmers. The rewards for their work
IN this direction did not come as a prize in
senatorships or other offices, but as a mercy
accomplished by small body of men standing
restless to oppression.
lou are the authors OF every material
reform that has been brought about in the
state. Greater than the influence Of the great
political parties has been the power OF the
farmers. Your rewards have come in i'm
proved conditions It is not wise 10 have
the idea that the reward should come in any
great personal distinction, but rather in the
satisfaction that is to be derived from the
consciousness of a duty to the people wen
and honestly performed
IF the farmers Of this country could bs
united they would be all powerful-greater
OIL ala
opportunities for good greater than those en-
Joyed by any other class. But the farmer
can be criticised. A common observer, see
Ing the conditions that threaten the nation
would be more active, take some prompt and
decisive step to WELD the great power Won
possess for the benefit and salvation of the
nation Ii you were ordinarily patriotic YOU
would organize for all sorts Of action The
time is coming when men in the cities re-
leased from patriotism by mere want will
attempt to tear down this republic r. rests
with the conservative eement-the farmers
to preserve the nation in its peril. The pic
lures which are today held up to your eyes
the scenes OF public distrust and the threats
OF coming disaster. identical with those
OF the time OF Louis XIV. Then the clergy
and the nobility had cornered all the wealth:
today 1T is the aristocracy and the bond
These dread signs, and the disasters that
VIII surely follow. must be met by calm,
Christian organization. such organization as
only the farming class in this great nation
can provide. They must stand in a solid mass
between the people and those who would
wrong them, until at last the legislatures can
pass laws that Will do justice to all men
and the wise conservative minds of the TOLL
ers of the nation shall see to 1t that these
laws are enforced
The greater portion of Mr.. Erwin's
address was devoted to the money
question and criticism of the national
banking system. Today the session will
begin promptly at 10 o'clock in Labor
hall. and at the night session, to be
held at the capitol, Ignatius Donnelly
and others will be the speakers.