Willmar tribune., 1900-11-02
WHY The swE0Es, SUPP oRT LIND.
A Reply to the slur at the swedes in
the Gazette the Writer ofwhich
is Ashamed Of His Name.


the Gazette the Writer ofwhich
is Ashamed Of His Name.
An anonymous writer in the Gazette
takes the Swedes to task for having
elected John Lind Two years ago. He
gives as the reasons for the large:
Swedish vote for Lind, the following:
l. Mr.. Lind was a Swede by birth,
and they very naturally took pride in
seeing one of their own nationality,
governor of our great commonwealth,
2. He had made a good record in
congress and was known as the friend
Of tho common people, as honest John,'
and they naturally cherished the con-
vietion that no was the very man to
rule over the state, honestly and WE'LL"
3. He was then no outspoken demo-
crat, populist or anti-republican, only
"political orphan" and "free silver
man," and they naturally thought
that these peculiarities of his would
not interfere with his conducting of
the official duties as governor in an
honest manner.
The second reason given tells the
whole story. That was the reason why
the majority of the Swedes in company
with the majority of the other nation
alities voted TOT John Lind in 1898,
and that reason is stronger now, for
to his record in congress he + as added
his record as governor. But if he had
not had such record back of him, is
there anyone so reckless as to insult
the Swedes by claiming that they would
have voted for him anyway?
The majority of the Swedes, along
with the majority of other nationali-
ties, are going to vote for Lind this
year because he has shown BY his
every action that he considers his Of
fee sacred trust to which he must
devote himself with all the earnest
ness and ability in him. They are
going to vote for him because he has
tried to force the corporations to share
the burdens of taxation; because he
has forced the railroads to equa'ize
and reduce rates; because be is fight
ing to rescue the remnants of the state
lands from grasping corporations.
In short, they will vote for him be-
cause they know he is the friend of
the people, and all they know of his
opponent is that he never dared to
vote whenever a measure in favor OF
the people was before the Legislature.
The Gazette writer himself accidental.
ly tells the truth when he says: 1.-THE
Swedes are American citizens aud
vote for man because of his sound
principles, fitness for Office, and per.
sonal worth without regard for his
nationality.
He also tries to prejudice the Swedes
against Lind by saying that he has
not given the swedes fair share OF
the Offices. He say: He has hast
ened to turn Swedes out of office and
jobs in order to put in men of other
| nationalitles Isn't that playihg
the nationality racket with venge:
| ance? The statement is not true, as a
look at the appointees from this coun.
ty will plainly show. ''F'itness for
| office and personal worth" have been
the chief objects sought in an ap-
pointee, but as the Swedes do not lack
those qualifications they have not
been neglected by any means.
Then he tries tn scare the Swedes
from voting for Lind by stating that
it would be taken for granted that i,
was done for nationality's sake, and
therefore peop!e of other nation alities
would tnencefnrth vote against Sw' d.
ish candidates. That is, if the Swedes
want office they must not vote fOl
Swedish candidates, when any are
nominated.
just compare these statements from
the article and note the consistency:
The Swedes voted for Lind becaus,
he was a Swede, but the Swedes vot,
! for a man on account of his fines!
and personal work, without regard fol
nationality.
He has been unable to carry out hi
proposed reforms because he had re
publican officers and a rcpublica,
legislature t o contend with, but ''h ha
done the best he could under the cir
cumstances Their fore, the Swee isl
republicans will vote against him. AM
"vote unanimously for gallant Capt
Van Sant," who represents 'pure re
publican principles.
If Lind did the best he could unde
the circumstances, but was hindered b,
republican officers and a republican
legislature, wouldn't it be more reason
able to re-elect Lind and elect officer
and legislators that will not hinde
him in his reform work?
Information has reached us from
reliable source that thirty hired heel
ers have been sent out to work al
over the county against Axel Hedin
AS the time is too short to allow Axe
an opportunity TO- follow them up
they will probably not be very careful
about what they say. Look out TO
them: Remember. they are hired Il
run down q man when he can't de
fond himca1f Won havo Lnou,, h n