The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1918-10-11

Disclalns Al Cooaoetioa VIA tbe
Non-Partisal League anl Repsdl.
ates is DlsleyallJ.
Against men and newspapers who
have had the temerity to expose the
character Of the leaders Of the non-
partisan league the cry is raised by
the willy Townley that they are
opposed to the farmers and opposed
to farmers organization. The fact
that we are al absolutely depend
ent on the farmer and his success
and prosperity. particularly in q
farming community, should be suf-
ficient proof Of the Stiffness OF such
= charge. We are all benefited BY
what benefits the farmer and the
farming community. but this should
not blind US to the fact that there
are always plenty Of charlatans and
demagogues anxious to exploit the
farmer He 10 not q real friend Of
the farmer or the farming commun-
ity who joins in with these and
fails to show up what Is sure to be
the final result Of following this
kind Of leadership. That the Her.
ald-Advance is not alone in present
ing these truths we present below
an article from the National Grange
Monthly. The Grange is one Of
the oldest and most substantial Of
all the farmer organizations. II
it has not the real interest Of the
agriculturist at heart then it is
useless to look for this anywhere,
but the official organ Of the Grange
does not hesitate to repudiate the
nonpartisan league and assert that
It must purge itself Of the disloy.
atty of its leaders. This is what
it says in its April number, 1918,
OF the league and its influence:
Some of the best friends OF agricul-
ture in the United States, who have
proved by tneir works that their de.
vOtiOn to its welfare is sincere, are
seriously disturbed over the spread of
q movement ia the Northwest, which
bears every indication of containing
positive menace to the highest pro-
gress OF the real farmers Of the coun-
try, and which Is destined to iriure
the very cause which it PROCESSES to
esPouse.
Reference is made to the so-called
Farmers NOn-Partisan League In sew.
eral OF the States In the Northwest.
which by whirlwind methods, by ex-
travagant promises and by radical
pronOuncements, has been gathering
great momentum in some sections,
while the movement is also gaining
foothold in some Of the Eastern States.
The very nature of the new organiza-
tion does not point in the direction of
permanence, nor does 1t contain those
elements OF strength that assure any
abiding service to the farm people in
any State: while the unfortunate en-
tanglements this organization has
permitted with those whose purpose is
clearly to undermine the American
Government, to reduce its fighting ef-
ficiency and to give aid to the enemy,
Is an Indictment against the Non
Partisan League from which it can
never clear itself in the estimate Of
patriotic, red.bloOded American citi-
zens, farmers and otherwise. II the
Nom Partisan League has not actual
ly surrendered itself to disloyal prac.
tices, 1t has at least trided with its
reputation TO q degree sufficient to
put it under suspicion in the eyes of
every true American.
But the chief purpose OF this article
Is to make clear that the Grange is
not identified in any way with the
Non-Partisan League and that the
Grange stands sponsor in no wav for
its principles or its results. Efforts
that have been made, in co, nt!-ss
cases, to SO entangle the Grange
should be repudiated at every point,
for the Grange and the Nor Pa rtisan
League are moving from absolutely
different viewpoints and have no
common basis. The Grange was here,
doing valiant service for the farm
people Of the United States long be-
fore this new movement of the North
west was even dreamed Of; and II may
still be here after that mOvement has
been forgotten.
The Grange 10 non-partisan Ia the
true, broad sence. It's service 10 un-
selfish and continuous for the farm
Interests OF Americs. The Grange
seeks no class legislation or special
fsvors for farmers, simply because.
they are farmers, but names % tts su-
preme ideal "The greatest good to
the greatest number. The Grange
II absolutely loyal 70 it, Government
and tolerates within its meetings and
among iss leaders no spark Of even
the suggestitn Of disloyalty. On
these four decisive issues the Grange
and the Non Partisan League are @
wide apart - II oceans separated
them. Let this fact be here aod now
made clear to everyone, that whatev-
or may be the future Of the N0n.P Part
isan League, no responsibility for
that future rests upon the Grange or
upon the real leaders OF the Grange.
As the two organizations 90 on the
fruits OF each shall prove Il, Of what
manner Il be.
Do0ld 0vef.
The Big Stone marshal last weak