Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-12-17
Letter From Our Readers.

aAu ~ eooWS 70 ,Hh0 70 n6Ve INC SU(uo
ring. l want to suggest that the same
application to local ana state politics.
There is, in my humble opinion, no
greater menace to the political, indus
trial and material welfare Of North
Dakota today than that Of socialism,
socialism as rank and vile as war
ever advocated by the Russian mob,
but cloaked under the name of
'Townleyism.'' Here in North Dako-
IA it is spreading and growing to ar,
alarming extent, and we may as well
awake to the fact that IL We wist, to
check it we must get busy and go at
1t IN q sober and sensible way. The
time has come when every voter in
North Dakota regardless Of his past
political Affiliations should be ready
to join in any movement to crush the
hydra-headed monster that would rob
US OF all semblance Of a state consti-
tuition that is worthy Of the name,
and that would. II allowed to continue
Its course, ultimately leave us in a
condition as chaotic as thatyof Rus
sia today. In my opinion the only
way that we q hope to check or
defeat this spirit of class hatred and
poisonous political propaganda that
has been, and is being spread broad
cast over the state, IS to. unite all
who r opposed to such doctrines
and try to elect i'm 1918 a ticket COM
posed Of sober, sensible men who
have some respect for the institutions
of government handed in by our, faith
ers. Men who. regardless Of past pos
hpcal amliations, know enough to
tired lis not good Americanism. Men
who are big enough and broad
enough to know that q state constitu-
ton is something that should have
some stability and should not be an
nuiled b. the crack Of the, whip held
In the hand OF q socialistic dictator.
And Unless we want to see the most
chaotic condition prevail right here
In North Dakota. I believe that we
menace. We must forget that We.
ever claimed to be- republicans Or
democrats. Forget all past political
di~fferences and unite for the common
good L. see no reason why 1t cannot
BE- done. The writer. of this article
never voted a democratic ticket, yet
he is proud of that great democratic
master mind who Is today the hsai
Q his government. That man who
Is regarded today, not only BY the
American people. but by three-fou.. -
OF the civilized people 81 the earth,
As one of the greatest statesmen ana
the N.sest ruler that ever lived, AZ
q lifelong republicanitI am proud OF
the republican party all over the ma
uon 0 the splendid backing to our
200 democratic president, And I
Tor n would gladly apply. the same
politc& I care not whether the next
governor Of North Dakota or the next
Legislative assembly be OF. republican
or democratic persuasion. II only anti
socialism,. I do hope, however. that
the next legislative assembly will mo-
consist Of q bunch of men WIS will
applaud such a remark as was made
by that nan Coates at Bismarck,
e at the exercises Of Lincoln's
Lincoln been here he would have vot-
Cd for house bill Az" The most alb
surd and libelous statement ever Ut
tered from a public platform. Let ,s
see II history Warrants any mich
statement. On hfs way to Washing-
ton for his first inaugural Mr.. Lincoln
on February -. at did Independence
CAV uttered These words. Gan the POI
!hdca1 sentiments I entertain have
to draw them from the sentiments
which originated in. and were Eiven
to the world from this hail. Isnevar
had q feeling politically that did not
spring from the sentiments efnbodied
in, Nhe Declaration Of Indopendance.p
And again in his first inaugural adj
drees Mr.A Lincoln said. III referring
Ito proposed constitutional amend
ments. make no recommendation
|rightful authority OF the pConle over,
the whole subject, to be exereieed In
either Of the modes prescribed In thA
instrument itself, and / should under
existing circumstances favor rather
than Opposes fair opportunity being
afforded the people to act upon il i
will venture TO add that to me the
convention system seems preferable,
mate with the people themsslyes. IN
stead Of only permitting them to
adopb or reject Propositions orieinat-
Cd by othe1A not especially chosen
for the purpoOo. And which Ynioht
not be precisely such q they would
Wish 70 either accept Or reject" This.
Mr.;Edttor W1s Abraham Lincoln's
ttdsa OF snstitution1i ssamsndments
md certainly does not warrant the
absurd .statern1ent that no would have
supported hours bill -: And again
Ion preyious occasion Mr.. Lincoln
ID, N1hsn dtsed1sanS propoSed scSn-
Isfitu6oa91 a~1ne4dufonts. NThin thfnx
VIII hereafter be - sitsls now, n the
handDFOf the people; anA II they de.
dFe - pall@a oonyenttDx4to rotaoyel
2 gfdevAnce complained Of. or 10
fgtve new uaxtAtessfo Tor the perform.
.nes q .sst.H nshts: 81 = not mine
any crsdit4a4 81, III I1ncoln ~ 81
Ell sttsnesL ~ on alsppeadonI ON.
lpAa1lo q MI dseia1 afiorsssfh IA
0a41oeD befka1plng to the making o
f9nendfng G. SGof6titutio restedsSn-