Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1917-09-12
Is THIS plsLovALrv?

Is THIS plsLovALTY?
There has been considerable com.
ment in the big press of the country
to the effect that the Farmers Non
partisan League is disloyal to our gov
eminent in the present war. To set
any one right who so believes we be.
low reprint letter from Mr. A. c.
Townley, President of the organiza-
ton, which speaks for itself:
Dear Organizer:
Just a. few words about our work.
In the present crisis in which our
country is involved, we must always
remember that we are American citi.
zens-first, last and all the time. The
United States is our country, the flag
that floats above it is our flag, and we
stand ready at all times to pour our
blood and treasure in defending and
safeguarding it against all foes.
The one great dominating trait of
our nation is that the people believe
in the supremacy of the law. This
country is based upon democratic
principles; therefore whether laws
be good or bad, they are of OUR max
ing, OUR public officials have been
invested with power by us, and the
strength of this nation lies in the
unity with which it's citizens render
obedience to the laws of the country,
and to the duly authorized officials in
their administration Of the laws:
While our country is now at war
with the most powerful military au
tocracy in the world, we should not,
by word or act do anything that in
any measure will give aid or comfort
to the enemy. At the same time we
are not blind to the fact that we have
These are those who wrap themselves
in the flag and cry traitor" against
anyone who dares to expose their ne.
farious schemes and infamous plans.
They are the ones, who, by the war,
are making exhorbitant profits at the
nations expense. They refuse to have
wealth placed on par with human
life, and cry traitor against all who
conscript war profits in this, our ma
tons need.
These enemies are the real trait
ors; they are the ones who are giving
aid and comfort to our enemies
abroad; they are the pro-Germans; for
by their acts they are weakening their
fellow countrymen thru raising the
cost of living until we are unable to
exert our full strength in this war.
In discussing the war, whenever it
becomes necessary for you to do so,
you can render a real service to your
country and our organization by advo-
eating that our government conscript
every dollar of war profits, and levy
upon wealth. to carry the financial
burden of the war through income
and inheritance taxes. No matter
what or who was cause of this war it
is enough to know that we are now
engaged in war and that our nation s
necessities require service from all
according to their capacity
Only thus can the world be made
safe for democracy.
NOt a single dlSlOyal word or act
will be tolerated by the NATIONAL
NON-PART1SAN LEAGUE. Organic
alton is what we are after, for only
by and through organization can last.
ing peace and happiness be assured.
not only for the peoples of the world,
but among ourselves. Our task, then,
is to perfect organization. and in so
doing, we are rendering patriotic ser7-
ice to our country.
In writing thus to you we cast no
reflection upon your loyalty to our
country. We believe that every or
ganizer in the service Of the League is
worthy of our confidence. Our only
purpose is to caution you to confine
yourselves in the course of your work
to the aims and purposes of this or
ganization, and not allow yourself to
be goaded into intersections by those
who seek to destroy our Organiza-
ton.
Yours very truly.
A.: c.. TOWNLEY,
| "s.& proai1onf