Willmar tribune., 1900-08-22
POLITICAL WRINKLES.

To judge from the stuff printed each week
in the goppite papers of Willmar, the gang
bases it's hopes on carrying the county on the
assumption that the peoples organization Is
disOrganized. Well, it is not the first time
that it has been declared dead in this county.
Five weeks before last election it was pro-
nounced dead and buried, but proved strong J
enough to upset all calculations OF the gang |
and dealt it such blow that the ring-leaders !
have suffered from blind staggers ever since. |
Nevertheless, the assumption and the hope |
based thereon is tacit admission that with |
the peoples organization in perfect order the
gOppites will be at serious disadvantage.
.* -
The issue this fall is not composed of politi-
cal parties, newspapers nor individuals, but is
simply whether the American people shall
suffer q blind commercialism to destroy the re-
public and substitute an empire. The oppos-
ton is trying to distract public attention from
the issue by talking OF things Of less import
ance. The peoples organization of the county,
the tribune, or it's editor are things OF small
Importance compared with the issue at stake
Long after the editor is gone, or the TRIBUNE
has ceased to appear, the effects of the choice
| made at the polls this year may direct the
| destinieS of the country. But the peoples or
ganization will have well served it's purpose if
| it becomes means by which the people of
| the county are enabled to register their pro-
| test against returning despotism. Well will
the TRIBUNE have done its duty if it ever re-
mains true to it's mission Of telling the truth
| and does not fail to sound warning when
| organized greed assaults the liberties of the
people. Well for the editor if by the grace of
God he resists the siren song of corruption and
surrenders his brief responsibility as moulder
of public opinion with a clear conscience.
| II u
| Agreat many people deplore the corruption
of practical politics when they themselves are
largely to blame for such conditions How
many young man is encouraged by his par
ents to form high ideal of citizenship: How
many are advised to study political questions
and decide for themselves what is right: Is it
not the prevailing opinion that shrewdness and
smartness in politics are better than rigid hon
esty, and he that has the greatest number OF
offices to bestow is the greatest statesman?
How can you expect clean politics as long
as you deliver your sons over to q leadership
which you know is corrupt?
~ II
How many young men in Willmar or in the
Kandlyohi county have not been advised by
their superiors that they should smother any
traces Of political independence they might
possess and join the party that has had the
offices to bestow? I know of many. Young
men have told me Incidents which would make
ones blood boil with Indignation relating how
the corruptionists have sung the siren song o1
place and prefcrment into their ears.
~ ~
Young voter! Be a man. Don't join a part,
without knowing what it stands for or under
standing the issues. Wear no mans buttO1
until you know what it stands for and you are
able to conscentiously defend it. have ye
TO see a man thought little Of because h,
fol med his own opinions and avowed them