Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1918-04-05
NONPARTISAN LEAGUE A PARTY
OF DIScONTENT AND ATTRACTS
PRO- GERMANS, SAYS BURNOUIST
Tells Arthur lie Suer Why He Will Not
Address Meeting.
Will Support Only LoyaIists, the One
Party in America.

(Grand Forks Daily Herald for Mar. 49,
Governor Burnquist of Minnesota,
in declining an invitation to address a
National Nonpartisan league rally, de-
livered a scathing arraignment of the
league. This announcement was made
in letter - Attorney Arthur Le-
Sueur, executive Secretary of the Non
partisan league. IN announcement of
Governor Burnquist's refusal to al
dress the league was carried in Mon
days news reports. His letter to Mr.
lie Sueur is given here in full:
March II, 1918.
Mr.. Arthur LIE Sueur, Executive Sec
retary, the Nonpartisan League ST.
Paul, Minnesota.
Dear Sir: Your invitation to ad-
dress tthe National Nonpartis4n rally
is declined by me for the sollawing
reasons:
The name of your league implies
that it is non-partisan, but in fact
there is no organization more parti
san.
AT this time, when other political
parties are trying to put aside, Cor the
rgool cd the rountry, any fadtionaI
spirit~that might exist, your organza-
ton is doing everything in its power
to increase it.
At the time of our entrance into
the European conflict your organizers
condemned our government for enter
ing the war. When it became appar-
ent that this course would result in
disaster. they changed their course
and made eleventh hour claim to pure
loyalty. but, Notwithstanding this claim
the National Nonpartisan League is
party of discontelt
1t has drawn to it the pro- German
element of our state. It's leaders have
been closely connected with the law
less l. w. W. and with the Red So
cialists. Pacifists and peace advocates
whose doctrines are a benefit to Ger
many, are among their number. Those
to that faction of labor which has
violated the law and been opposed to
compliance with just orders of duly
constituted authority The leading
agitators of your party, have, through
their speeches and the circulation OF
contemplate falsehoods, encouraged
disrespect for honest and patriotic
men in public positions. These self
appointed leaders with whom you are
associated have been and now are
e1deavoring to get farmers to oppose
employers. They state, in your par
ty principles, that the great thing the
farmers need today to win is to stick |
by your organization, to cooperate |
with wage workers organizations in |
the cities, and together win control |
of the powers of the state govern
ment, and then the national govern
ment.
That Peoples Peace Council
You, who sign yourself as the ex-
ecutive secretary of the league, were
connected with the Peoples Peace
Council, which, through my proclama
tion of August 2s. 1917, was barred
from holding meetings in this state,
and thereafter in Wisconsin and Illi-
nois, but which was invited to North
Dakota by its governor, who was elect
ed through the efforts of your league.
The cheering and applauding of
the unpatriotic utterances of Senator
at your last. convention put
4 stamp of disloyalty on it that can
never be erased.
Your present publicity agent lost
the position he held at that time be-
sause he supported LaFollette's un-
patriotic ideas and, after his dis
charge by his employer he was en-
'loyed by your Nonpartisan league.
Another Of your leaders, Joseph G
Gilbert, called a director and manager a
believe, has been convicted by a l
ury because of his disloyal utter 1
noes. He together WITH Mr.. Mana
ian, an attorney of your organization [
used a strike situation o
ere to advance the political interests L
the league. These two men have
slandered public spirited Il
lembers of the Public Saftey com q
Mission in an attempt to bring to- G
ether the farmers and wage -earners W
or the political purposes of your po- "a
tical party's self-constituted leaders, o
no are neither real farmers nor real 81
lborers. but elf-seeking demagogues o
lg dose but when the patient cries for -
like children do for Castoria it is -
decd a hard hearted community that IA