Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1896-03-20
CORRESPONDENCE.
Grand Valley.
March II, 1895.

~ SAApSA
March II, 1895.
Last Thursday night some members OF the
Grand Valley Literary Society met at the
school house to form u young mems non par
,isan political club. The audience belng
called to order, addresses We're delivered on the
subject, not being long-windcd but keen ana
pointed.
The first speaker maintained that education
and knowledge among the general people are
under oil conditions and especially
so under our form of government; that IL
behoeves good citizen to avail himself OF all
sources for information; that by exchanging
large number of individuals may
become the participants OF what before was the
possession OF the sole individual; that not only
the approaching campaign demands an earnest
study of our situation on the part Of the voter.
but that also the raising generation needs to
be trained in the imperative duties OF citizen
ship: that patriotism is paramount to partisan
sh1p and if inculcated with a proper reverence
for our Nag as a national emblem would have
averted the act of secession and rebellion OF
the southern states and prevented much suffer-
ing.
The second speaker argued that the con-
dition of our country urges the most sober
consideration on the part OF the rising gener-
alton who will have to meet the issue OF a con-
fict which will shape the future destiny or the
people; that II our forefathcrs have failed ana
made iblunders that is no reason why we should
go en- laundering; that the blessings OF free
government can only be maintained by firm
adherence to justice moderation temperance,
frugality and virtue, and by frequent re-
currence to fundamental principles; that the
real condition OF our country is but feebly
understood; that the averagevoter has but q
vague conception of the great responsibility
laid in his hands; that the word, polite, is
generally misrepresented and misunderstood;
that Judging from the general conversation
among men, and the presentations OF the
newspapers on matters Of polite. 1t would
seem that the term polite was only associated
with the idea OF holding Oflce and manipulat-
ing conventions and election campaigns for
selfish ends; that political club Of this kind
should take up and consider the condition Of
the American people, their riches and their
poverty, the producer and the non-producer;
thatits mission should be an educational CAM
paign.
The third speaker maintained that by con-
stantly holding out tho baser side Of politics to
attention the mind of the people is becoming
saturated with suspect and corruption; that u
poses should start out in political and social
economy; should begin with the production
and distribution Of wealth. and thus consider
the three factors engaged in the production
to-wit: Land, labor. and capital, their present
relation to each other, and their proper re-
lation He also held that women should be
admitted to the organization, for women is the
motherCf man and hers is the lot of Impress
ing the first ideas upon the young mind. i'm
pressions which hardly ever are eradicated, If
she holds correct principles herself she will
impart correct ideas; that woman's education
upon economic questions cannot without ap-
prehension be neglected; that whatever may
be the views of different persons to the
propriety of woman's suferage she never
thelsss has a greater influence upon social and
political affairs than generally is conceded her;
that man and woman are maze to mingle to-
gether and that better order is obtained in
gatherings where women do so mingle: that
gatherings of this kind succeed best with q
variety of exercises interpiereed with music,
and that woman here is first
He would therefore move to invite women.
and to extend the invitation 70 old people to
also take part in the deliberations, and to have
tie organization named, Tho Young Peoples
Non Political Club of Grand Valley.
then presented and referred to committee
with instructions to report at the next meet |
ing, whereupon the meeting adjourned to meet
again next Saturday evening
A considerably increased gathering assem-
bled Saturday evening with much enthusiasm
The committees reported and the meeting pro-
ceeded to organize by electtng officers and
standing committees. Two Of the ladies |
present were elected on the program COM
mfttee.
A suggestion for u program adopted:
The condition of the American people
divided into topics.
PROGRAM
1. Manufacturers.
2. Railroad owners.
8. Mine owners.
4. Land owners.
5. Bankers
g. Currency.
z. Taxation.
g. Tariff.
The poor:
Q. Wage earnels in factories.
10. Wage earners in mines.
II. Wage earners on farms
12. The farmer.
49, The merchant.
IA. The professional.
Is. The newspaper press.
16 The renter.
The traun element.