The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1908-07-09
.. Indispensable? Let his

pensable. Indispensable? Let his
tory explain.
Fifty years ago railroads were In
operation in various parts of the
North and South. In 1891, their prac-
ticability may have been established,
but at this period the Civil War began.
"Admiral Farragut performed the peril
GUS feat of breaking confederate chains
at the mouth of the Mississippi River,
and passed up the river with fleets,
capturing Baton Rouge and Natcllez,
passed Vicksburg and cut off Confed-
crate supplies"
On the other hand: General Grant s
derailed supply trains, cut telegraph
wires and thus compelled the surrender
of Vicksburg. No surrender of equal
magnitude had ever been made in the
history of war.
"In August, 1864, Commodore Far
ragut brought his squadron to bear
upon Confederate Notifications at Mo-
bile, captured the forts-and sealed up
the last of the Confederate harbors."
Thus we have the navy to credit for
saving the Union-As it did in the
Rebeliious era. have considered it
unnecessary TO delve deeply into his
tory ere railroads were of any value.
for they were of little value to Ameri-
ca until along in 1869 when the Pacific
Railway was constructed from ocean
to ocean. Just how wonderful this
new introduction proved to be we will
no doubt be Informed. But let us say
it was remarkable step toward COM
mercial progress; the opening up Of
new vistas of national progress; grand,
sublime, achievement; bringing the
United States into close proximity; no
.tlonger had we any need for Alexander
Hamilton's financial fields; the sane.
col servative policies of former eras
were no longer necessary; the rational,
careful foresight of Washington, Ad-
ANS, and their class became unneces-
sary to guide the national welfare;
and water crafts became commodities
of past age And why: Well, new
era of progress had been introduced by
the iron-horses that flew from coast to
coast. Rapid transit carried national
and individual interests along progress
sive lines with bound. tell Tor
should my opponentT that railroads
became wonderful benefits to America.
d He may explain fully for am honest
ly ashamed to exhibit such eighteen
carat nerve; for with the first railroad
across America came the introduction
of pollution that still reeks to stife the
senses of honest, upright citizens. Per-
NIT me to quote:
y "The first noteworthy event in john
} sons administration was on May 10,
1869; the completion of the Pacific
} Railway was celebrated with impress
sive ceremonies at Ogden.
(Hearken.) "In connection with the
completion of the railroad the Credit
Mobiliers scandal arose involving many
public men. Accusations were made
that men of Congress were owners of
, stock, Interested in an enterprise that
was to be furthered by their votes.
, september "a. 1896, Jay Gould and
+ James Fiske, Jr. entered upon q plan
: to secure s 100000 Of gold in the
, treasury; to advance the price of rail-
t road stock and sell out in advance"
, This day was aptly termed "Black Fri
! day." for on that day panic occurred
: from which the country did not recover
/, for many months.
interviewer with railroad history
: are gigantic speculating schemes that
: have rocked the foundations of our
. nation, resulting in insanity, suicides
: panlcs, and general distress; a tenden-
: cy toward undue haste in political,
3 governmental, and general issues for
: the welfare of the people aud the
s nation; also, the silent insinuating,
! evil germs of selfshness, that enables
q clique of persons to trod on the
= rights of the common people, corrupt
their representatives, and out Of such
pollution crafty wishes for wealth.
o (Continued on page four.)
J, aPm at loss what to have my hero