The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-06-08

Of their wealth exempt from taxa
ton. Who suffer from such a policy
when 1t is carried out7 The smaller
farmers who on account Of their
small means can not stock their
farms with blooded cattle and an
kinds Of machinerles and many lux
uries.
The only reason which may In
duce the NonpartisanS league to adopt
such plans Is in the fact that they
want to introduce into North Dakota
socialism pure and simple, socialism
by which the state should become the
owner of all lands and private per-
sons should have no property ex-
cept chattel. II the platform Of the
NonpartisaR league should be carried
out for many years, the result will
be that either the state or those that
are very rich will possess ali the
land and that finally all land will
become property of the state, and the
people will be mere renters.
Socialism of this kind is a theory
which on a small scale has been
tried in many countries and at many
periods of time but in the long run
it has always proved to be a failure.
1t is contrary to the natural law, con-
theory which has been put UP by
enemies of Christianity for the very
purpose Of destroying Christianity.
Have we people Of North Dakota a
right to expose our state to the ex-
periments of socialism, Even If we
should have q right which I must
deny, Is it wise to enter such expert
ments2
Reform, yes, reform is needed. It
Is only too true that capitalism has
grievously sinnsd against the people,
1t has committed many acts Of in
Justice for the very reason that 1t
acted contrary to the natural law
and contrary to Christian principles,
Reform will take place by going
back to Jesus Christ who teaches
US not only supernatural truths but
also how to understand and observe
the natural law. But reform will not
come by following wild theories
which have so often proved 70 be a
failure and which are In opposition TO
the teaching of Christ and to the nat
ural law. A house is not repaired by
dynamiting 1t nor by tearing out its
foundations.
at is a divine law Of Just retribu-
ton that wheneyer individuals or
societies refuse to accept tho truth
they fall into the widest theories.
SO 1t is in regard to religion, to
civil and social life. I sincerely hope
that our North Dakota people do not
deserve such punishment"
I'm regard to wheat and meat
markets. We have laws forbidding
gambling 80 that those who shake
dice or use q fortune wheel and thus
gamble for q few nickles or cigars
can be fined and even jailed. But
before the present war we never had
any laws forhidding the specializing
and gambling in wheat, and this be-
cause such gambling passes under the
name Of trading. The times Of the
government to fix the price Of wheat
and to take control Of different kinds
OF business. Thus war has proved
that a way can be found by the gov
eminent to protect the people from
being robbed of millions of dollars
through so-oalled business methods.
Common sense tells us too that also
in the time Of peace provisions can
and must be made which will give
the farmers Just prices for their
grains and cattle, and which will pro-
tect the consumers from being COM
PEELED to pay exorbitant prices for
their necessarieg.
cit may be necessary that the peo-
pie Of this and other states in a voice
Of thunder, demand that the United
States congress give such protection
against wheat gamblers and other
selfish and heartless profitseFs. But
there is no necessity that our noble
state Of North Dakota, take upon it,
self the Job of running elevators,
mills, packing houses, etc.
The experience OF many centuries
haR proved that the less the state
enters into business which is outside
OF tho sphere OF It's specific purpose,
founded upon tile natural law, the
better for the state as much and Tor
its citizens all around.
The purpose of the state, founded
upon the natural order, Isl: TO main
tain justice, TO punish fhe wicked and
impress upon them Balutary fear
OF the laws; 90 protect its citizens In
their rights, the natural rights given
by God Himself and ths right given
BY the state in harmony with the.