The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1918-05-16
Incongruities of Politics.

| IncOngrulties of Politics.
Incongruities Of politics. We are
rather proud Of that phrase. There
is, however, no other one that we can
use that conveys the thought that we
wish to express. .
There is an organization that has
sprung into existence that has grown
and fourished undes the title of the
National Nonpartisan league, which,.
beyond the possibility Of a doubt, is
the most thoroughly partisan organ
ization that ever existed in this or any
other country under the stars.
We are a believer in partisanship.
Partisan, partner, party and co-part-
nership are all derived from the same
root word, and means the uniting of
individuals having common opinions
to secure a common result. It is i'm
possible for an individual, acting in
dividually and alone, to accomplish
anything only by combination and
unity can results be secured.
If we had written the Declaration of
Independence it might not have been
any better but it is a cinch it would
have been different. Instead of writ
ing, ''These colonies are, and by right
ought to be, free and independent
states" we would have written, "These
colonies are, and by right ought to be,
free and interdependent states" A
state in federal government like
ours, that is independent Of all other
states, is an impossibility, and an in
dividual who would try to exist indie
pendently Of all other individuals
would perish in night. It is only by
combination that things can be ac-
complished, and the moment that COM
bination exists partisanship exists.
I There is no such thing as an indie
pendence or nonpartisanship, they are
virtually impossible anywhere within
the realm of civilization.
It is true, however, the easiest way
for demagogues to attract public at
tention and secure favor with the I'M
thinking is to decry parties, party or
ganization and alliances, and loudly
proclaim that the only way to secure
purity in government is by nonpar-
tisanship. Let smooth political out
law bait his hook with nonpartisanship
and cast it into the great ocean Of
human affairs and he will catch suck
er every time he drops his line.
The fundamental foundation of the
| Nonpartisan league is "Stick Togeth-
err" It's members are almost, if not
quite, oath bound to follow their
leaders, and any member who fails to
do so is promptly cast outside the
sacred precincts Of the Nonpartisan
synagogue. Under the catchy watch
word of Nonpartisanship it has foisted
on the state, and especially the rural
districts Of the state, the most abso-
lutte partisan organization ever pre-
sented to the American people. It is,
or at least it attempts to be, partisan
politically, partisan businessly, par
tisan occupationally, partisan socially,
and if there are any other ways an
Organization can be partisan, "it's
them"
Can anyone imagine greater in
congruity than for an organization to
adopt the EXTREMIST methods it de-
cries to secure it's own success? But
the startling incongruity Of the abb
surd homogeneous leaders Of this ridicu-
lousy incongruous organization does
not stop here.
The avowed purpose of the Non
partisan league, whether it is the real
object of it's leaders or not God only
knows, is to protect the rights and Sc
cure justice for the farmers and work
ing men, the wealth-creating class of
the nation, and for the purpose of ac-
complishing this object, so they claim,
they entered the realm of politics and
! nominated or Endorsed candidates for
all state, congressional and legislative
offices, and for governor they indorsed
that weirdly erratic statesman, the
Hon. Charles A. Lindbergh of Little
Falls, the attorney and right hand
man of the Bell Investment company,
the biggest bunch of agricultural
SINNERS that ever charged a farmer
luxurious interest or secured farmers
farm for one third of it's value under
a mortgage foreclosure. The recog-
nized attorney Of Weyerhauser Pine
Tree Lumber company, who under his
smooth manipulation, and by virtue Of
his affidavit countenance in the man
agement Of riparian legislation,
whangd oodled more money out Of the
Mississippi river bank jewellers than
j the average matchmaker will ever see.
His friends and supporters assert
4 that as attorney for these corporations
what he did was only in the way Of
Z business. This may be true, but it is