Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1918-10-17
n. P.L.PLATFORM

The appended platform was adopted
by the Nonpartisan League Convention
at Mitchell, s. D., July rs, 1918, as the
principles representing the farmers
movement In this state.)
At this momentous period OF world
history, When u nation is engaged In
q death grapple with the powers of
military and political antocracy and to
defend, uphold and advance the immor-
tai principles Of freedom and democracy
In which this nation had its birth and
on which its institutions are established,
we pledge to the government of these
United States our hearty, loyal; and un-
equtyocal support both material and
moral, in the titantic struggle in which
this nation is engaged; and Of every
means and measure which our govern.
rneilt shall deem necessary to the sue
cessfnli prosecutionSof this war, in order
that the United States OF America shall
fulfill their appointed mission and that
government of the people. by the
people and for the people shall no per-
the common heritage OF all the people
Of every cline. tongue and nation.
In fnrthuraIce Of this supreme duty
OF the hour. 1t Is not enough that we
citizens profess and proclaim with our
lips our. LOYALTY and patriotic devotion.
We must demonstrate that devotion by
the willing acts Of our lives; by the pro-
ductives labor OF our hands, and minds;
~ ungrud8ing sacrifice Of u sub
stance. IN support OF the authorized war
sustaining activities OF the nation, and
blythe Sgreatet. sacrifice, IL need BIZ, On
the altar Of patriotism Of our own flesh
and blood, Of very lives. This we
have done and will continue to do.
Nor lie 1t less essential that; NE act
With ~ high resolve and as lofty pur-
pose In ou political capacity that we
see to II that the government Of our
nation and Of our state truly reflects
the popular will: not that of special
interests and SELF constituted guard
ians Of our political affairs and des-
TIMES. AS national sovereigns, it is up to
us citizens TO exercise our sovereignty.
no such practical and devoted service
we OF the national n~onpartisan league
dedicate ourselves. And we call upon the
patriotic and loyal citizens OF South
Dakota, Of whatever station or walk in
life and Of whatsoever former political
a~ffiliation, but especially upon the
farmers n wage earning producers, to
join with us in the loyal and righteous
purpose to take the political power and
control zof u state Ind nation out of
the hands OF the financial and lftdrst.
rial magnates, who enjoy special pttyil-
eges. and who for too long q time have
directed our political. affairs, ii to
restore that power md control tosthose
to WHOM 1t rightfuily beloI1gs-tO the
cornrnpn people who feed, ci0the and
house the world who by their labor Of
hand and brain create the wealth And
nruducN thesi1ecossities Of life: to whom
alone can heEppliticai destinies Q the
state be safely intrsisted, and by whom
alone viii tts soveretEn powers be err:
cis6d In r5ShteouSaess. justice and
equity.
vital Issue.
vs. ao1e.anly affirm thlss.@ourpnr
pose. t0 be the|sr10st vital political
Issue sof the hour. Uponathe success
II xheseaeudeavo96; more thansaIl else,
IL depending tho successful prosecp-
ton 81 tho war Upon this, also. viii
depond Ia gr6ateot measure the KIM
~ boace that shall be concllded At the
end of the. wal, and the nature 81 the
social reconstruction which viii Al.
yitahly zandso necessity follow the
concluadofs aof peace andsthe diaband'
I'M ~ i aEmie The victory W31ich
IS@iaSIsN1l end thG must III, can only
vaStofy ~ dnocyScy; ~ H1fcs
s1ttxti shall concaQ6e III aesH0gE ksls