Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-10-03
NOrthU estern Neus
y argument, but by a TRADE Of per-

w argument, Out Dy g. Oraoe OF per-
sonal abuse and Islander, and by the
statement OF the opposite press that
the quest before the people is the
measure of democracy which is to be
enjoyed. Any one can use the phrase,
the measure of democracy. Lenine
and Trotsky used it countless times in
stating to the people Of Russia that
they were to enjoy a full measure of
democracy. This is merely a vague
platitdde and means nothing.
A available authorities on the
situation In Russia at this time agree
that probably a great many thousands
starve' this winter under this full
measure Of democracy as doled out
to them under the leadership of
Lenine and Trotsky. The platform
speakers Of the league, who, cam
paign in the state this fall will take
n glitter1ng g~eneralities about S4the
of democracy, big business
and the Minneapolis Chamber of
commerce, but at no time and in no
place will they stand upon the plat
form and discuss with you the prob
able effect their economic program
will have upon the future Of this
state.
, A Peculiarly.
"Now, I wish to call your attention
to another popularity of these ex-
ponents of democracy. AS soon as
anyone adversely criticises them, for
any OF their acts or failures, they i'm
mediately declare through their Gang
Press he is attacking the farmers of
North Dakota They will know, OF
course, that this is not true. They
have made this statement probably a
hundred times regarding different
m on q nd IN ovynnry {~,k~ 49,. Y.---,
the statement was not true.s
Il am sure it mus strike even the
most ardent Nonpartisan league
member as a little peculiar that this
coterie Of socialist lawyers, socialist
lecturers and soap box orators should
suddenly develop such an overwhelm-
ing interest in saving the farmers of
North Dakota 1t is the claim of
these men that those opposing them
In this state are representatives of
what they are pleased to term big
business, n that the opposition is
directed by sinister influences outside
the state of North Dakota. No doubt
a great many of the members of the
Nonpartisan league honestly believe
this Is a fact. Perhaps some of the
members present. believe this is true.
But 1t you will just study the situa-
ton yourself for a few minutes there
Is no possibility Of believing that this
assertion is true"
Sentiment Reversed in Two Years,
1.-TWO years ago these same men
went before the people of the state
with these same candidates. They
protested to be representing a farm
ers' organization: that the farmers
were in. the majority in the state OF
North Dakota and consequently had
the right to control. And the people
took them at their word and elected
their candidates to office by the
largest majorities ever given to the
candidates of any party in the history
of the state. Now this. is conclusive
proof that this prejudice against their
leadership did not exist two years
ago; and If 1t did not exist two years
ago., then what has occurred to
change the mind Of the public in re-
gard to these men and these issues
First, their attempt to foist upon the
people a program Of almost complete
statewide socialism, without the
slightest warning of their intention;
and, secondly, the attitude of Mr.
Townley and some Of his close ad-
visers at the time Of the entrance OF
this country into the European war;