The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-07-01

When Senator Knute Nelson was an
nounced as temporary chairman of the
republican state convention to-day, he
signalized the occasion by the delivery of
a strong but temperate speech on the is
sues Of the approaching campaigns, both
state and national 1t was noted that
while he touched at more or less length
on all the other questions. he did not
take UP the Cuban reciprocity question,
nor the attitude of the Minnesota delega-
ton in congress in opposition to the pres
ident and the party. Evidently Senator
Nelson considered 1t the part of wisdom
not to raise this question at all. His ad-
dress in full was follows:
You have not forgotten and all Of YOU well
remember, the critical, hard and unpromis-
ing times of 1896
The country still suffering from the
industrial and financial stagnatton and de-
preston which began and continued under
Cleveland's' administration. The country was
full Of mechanics and laboring men OF all
classes, idle and without work Money
through want Of confidence, was out of cir
culatton and hard to earn, to acquire, or to
- borrow.
The industrial. the financial and the bust
in dread Of the future. And the great masses
Of the people were suffering, restless and
pintng for a way out of the difficulties by
which they were surrounded, but with no
clear purpose, IN many cases, as to the proper
road to take
tons that the democratic party-hopins that
put of the stagnation, chaos and despair then
prevailing, they might secure political sue
cess, and being willing to secure victory and
power at any cost-carne before the American
people with their startling and dangerous
program, declaring in favor of the free and
unlimited coinage Of silver. seeking to array
labor against capital, and deprecating the
protection by the courts and the executive
Of property against 1awlessness and disorder.
. And their program and policy was, you
will remember, emphasized and intensified
by the declarations; promises and animus
of their standard bearer. Whatever am
biguity there may have been in any para
graph of the platform was cleared up and
made plain by the candidate. ,
It was at this juncture and under these
conditions that the republican party. ever
mindful of the welfare and best interests Of
the American people,, accepted the wage Of
battle and took up the defense of sound
money, declared It's readiness to foster and
protect, in harmopy, both capital and labor,
and to preserve and defend both against
anarchy, lawlessness and disorder.
The Great Money Battle.
-. When the issue was first Joined In that
campaign, the democratic party felt confident
of success, for at the outset it seemed as
though their new gospel had captured the
masses of the people. And there were many
good men in the country who were alarmed
at the prospect and fearful of the result.
The very boldness and revolutionary charac-
ter of the democratic platform and candidate
was pa-alyzng and inspiring
But. the republican party, under the lead
ership of one of it's best and nobest men
William McKinley-opened and carried on a
campaign of education and appealed with
faith and energy to the conscience and good
sense of the American people. Loyalty to the
true interests of the country, and faith IN
the Intelligence and sober judgment Of the
masses was the foundation and corner
stone Of the republican campaign.
The effervescence, which existed Immediate
" after the Chicago convention, gradually
disappeared as men began to think, to rea-
son, and to see the dangers of silver mono
metallism with incidental contraction, and
the danger of arraying labor against capital,
and, thus paralyzing and jeopardizng both.
The tide was stsmmed, the creed and gos-
pei Of the republican party bore fruit, and in
November the American people under the
banner Of the republican party, gained a
great and glorious victory, and were saved
from one OF the greatest perls that had con-
xIOlJeQ LAS CcuALiy oAASo wv NO'S VI 'AN
great rebellion
The result of the election was no sooner
known thai the country seemed to awake to
q new being and to a new life The night
B mare of democracy was past, and the re-
doicing was not alone confined to the victors
~ -: Victory and Prosperity.
When the war Of the great rebellion was
over and the fervor of battle had ceased
quite a. number of the vanquished, in their
innermost hearts, were glad that the union
was saved.
So. when the great political struggle Of
1896 was over, there were many men who
from the force of habit,or who like drowning
men grasping for a straw, had voted the
democratic ticket, who were, nevertheless
when the heat Of the strife had subsidized
happy in the result and silently rejotced II
the success of the republican party.
Time and more than five years of republican
rule have but served to emphasize the grea
advantages and the great blessings that have
come to the country as result OF that vic
cory. !: :, ..%:,
STAYED the hand of the destroyer; it has also
10 a large extent and in a. material degree
nv iudicious legislation and administration
Sostered and promoted the industrial AM
economical life and development Of the coun
Try, -. IS - . Az.
The DingIey Tariff.
The democratic tariff law Of 1894, which
for lack of discriminating protection, sbret
industrial stagnation, and was also ipsufic
lent as a revenue provider. gave way to! thu
republican tariff act of 1897, passed at
S. special session, called by president sNtcKin
& lev for that purpose Immediately after his in
auguration ~ r. " e..: ~
Whatever criticism may be pronounced Of
H some Of the provisions of this act-and n
= tariff act can escape or is above all criticism
1t is certain that but for the then unforseel
Z Spanish war, it would have provided tn
rountry with ample revenue for its curren
I expenses and it is also certain, and ampl
q demonstrated by our experience that unde
ITS nag our country has enjoyed the creates
and most pronounced commercial and in
dustrial revival and continued prosperity i
all our history. - &
Our total foreign commerce-exports an
amports--from 1898 to 1897 inolusive-a perio
sf Ave years-amounted to $3,278,7 1910, wit
balance of trade<in our favor for the en-
tire period of 1858, 49, $780, while our totz
foreign commerce from 1897 to April, 1882,
period OF four years and nine months wa
$40. os6, 74s ST. with a balance of trade in GU
favor upon the same, of the enormous sur
of s2,756, 73Os61, or an annual average {
$3.50, 1864. S9i.
lit is this rapid and immense growth Of on
y foreign trade-especially the great balance !
our favor-that has alarmed and frightene
-p many countries Of Europe They fear an