Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-05-11
A War Message
From The Northwest
(By Gov. Stewart of Montana.)

(By Gov. Stewart OF MOntlnn.)
So long as this Nation is confronted
by a re%sourceful and desperate enemy,
agitation and settlement of domestic
problems. a " only in SO far as they
concern the successful and vigorous
prosecution Of the war for liberty.
| should be held in allegiance until
peace is declared.
No thinking man will deny that
there are problems clamoring for So
luton. but now is not the time for
exhausting u energies by internal
controversy while the enemy batters
at our gates. ~
OF what concern is it to us what
political party or economic system
shall have nothing to say as to how
we will be governed?
German propagandists. while
spreading lies as to conditions in u
Army and Navy and concerning the
work of our public men,, are many
times u%nconsciously aided by persons
who have reforms which they believe
would remedy the evils Of which they
/, complain. The reforms may have
merit, but they may we'll wait. SO long
as upon their solution the winning Of
the war does not depend. until this
Nation has ceased fighting for its
very existence.
1t is time that Americans. no mat
ter what their ideas of reform. re-
1igfon. or politics may be. join hands
to scotch treason, whether it be on
scious or unconscious.
A crop of lies was insidiously sown
by the propaganda to fonlent trouble
between various religious sects. The
slightest inquiry dcvelopes the fact
that irrespective of religion or poll
t}re man nf Cn,lY2O so nQfrinfieN1 and
ability are recognized. There should
be no political or religious questions
or economic a%ffiliation considered.
Plain Americanism is all that is worth
while.
In this connection I am reminded
Of the remarks of a western Montana
farmer who addressed his neighbors
not long ago at a meeting called by
the organizer Of a new party. His re-
the vast majority Of Montana farmers
| who ; bending every energy to help
win the war:
There lis only one question" said
he, and that is the winning of the
war. speak from no partisan stand
point, except, the standpoint of those
who wish to make the world safe for
democracy. am partisan enough for
that. We are not awake 70 the terri
bile situation, we farmers around here.
Buff we don't wake up pretty DOR
we will find that Germany has won
the war. And what would there be
for us to live for if Germany does win
| tho war;"
This Montana farmer has said. in
effect, all that need be said as to what
the American people should do. Win
the war first; talk and argue after
wards.
Montana has responded to those
who openly or secretly are in SYM
pathy with tho enemy with heavy
subscriptions to Liberty bonds and to
the Red Cross and Y. NJ. c.. A. funds.
the stats leading in percentage of
oversubscription every commonwealth
in the union. Montana has put into
the various branches OF the Army and
Navy service more than $1,000 men.
It has given to the Regular Army S.
460 men. while its quota was only 752.
! This number is exclusive of men who
have gone into the National Army,
National Guard. Navy and Marines.
Based on population Montana has
sent more men to the, colors than any
other state in the u~nion--and more
are going every day.
Its farmers, livestock men. miners,
and woodsnnen are putting their
whole strength into the fight: its bust
ness and professional men ana women
are eagerly volunteering in whatever
service their government needs them.
Not the least patriotic service per
formed is exposing the lying and
treAchery OF the enemy propagandist,
for the tentacles Of this beast reach
eyenlinto this state, although is is far
from the seaboard.