The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-11
OPPORTUNITY AND DUTY

John Lind's candidacy for congress in
this district gives the republicans of Hen
nepin county chance to do the republi-
can party in Minnesota great service.
For six years Mr.. Lind has been dis
turbing factor in the politics of this state.
His strong hold on certain classes of cit
liens has caused the entire democratic
and populist parties to revolve around
him. For the same reason republicans
have had to consider him in all their
plans, and have been forced to confess
that one man might do what two parties
could not do. The Lind fact has been bad
enough, but the Lind reputation is worse.
He causes as much disturbance by what
he does as by what it is feared he may do.
Mr.. Lind's defeat by Governor Van SAINT
in 1900 undoubtedly weakened his some,
what hypnotic hold on the voters Of Min
nesota. Now, as q democratic candidate
for congress in fhis district, where he has
always been strong, he has put himself IN
a position where he can be finished up
politically.
In 1896 Lind carried the county by 5000;
900. These figures certainly don't prom
ise him an easy victory this time. They
show waning strength. He will be a for
midable opponent at the worst, but there
is nothing to discourage the republican
candidate at the outset of the campaign.
Good hard work by the right man will
beat Mr.. Lind.
If Mr.. Lind is defeated this fall 1t Is
fair to assume that his charm will be
broken. His will no longer be name
around which to rally desperate and shat
tered political legions. Republicans Will
have little to fear from him in the tu-
ture. Democrats will not go out of busi-
ness while he is making up his mind and
republicans will not lose sleep. One-man
power will be largely eliminated from
Minnesota politics if Mr.. Lind can be
beaten. These things would be incidents
of Mr.. Lind's defeat for congress, but they
are fully as important as keeping him out
of congress.
But it Is very important that the re-
publican city of Minneapolis should not be
| represented in congress by democrat
even If he be personally acceptable ana
| popular with his fellow townsmen If re-
! publican districts are to take on a habit
! of lecting acceptable democrats to con-
| gress, it will require no powers OF
prophecy to locate the republican ma
1ority in the next congress-. The proba-
bilities are that the other eight Mime
sofa districts will send republicans.
Minneapolis democrat would be lone
some. indeed, among them. Minneapolis
does not wish to be advertised as demo
cratic city, as it would be if Mr.. Line
we're elected. 1t wouldn't care to be rep
resented on some of the great natlona
questions Of the hour through the medium
of Mr.. Lind's views on them. Mlneapoil'
would be grieved to see Its representa-
tive voting against desirable Philippine
| 1eois1ation. say. or some sound none.
bill. -
Now, to remove a disturbing facto
from Minnesota politics and keep Mr.
Lind out of congress, where, he ism
needed, and at home, where he can q
good service. It is essential that Henne
pin republicans nominate the stronges
candidate available, the one who can mos
successfully compete with Mr.. Lind in tn
vigorous campaign which he may be ex
pected to make. Neither Mr.. Fletche
nor Mr.. Hay; nor Mr.. Peterson, sho1ul
be nominated because he, wishes tn
honor, or because his friends wish it TO
him. They are all advocates. The vot
ers of this county are the bench. HaV
ing chiefly in mind the nomination of
winner, they should exercise their jude
l ments after careful study and considera
: tion of the vote getting qualities of th
three candidates, as, opposed. to Mr.. Linz