The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1919-01-10
T0WNLBY WARNS
LEAGUE AGAINST
IN TER NAL ILLS
Says DissensiOn Within the
Ranks Will Thwart Purpose
of the Organization
MISSES THE OLD CRITICISM
Expresses Belief That "the Spe.
cial Interests" Will Renew
Their Discussion

COnjuring up visions OF the day
when the league will sweep triumph
ant over the whole Of the United
States, declaring that II they carry
out the program now before them the
Nonpartisan legislators will have &C,
complished more for the comon good
than any group OF men which has pre-.
ceded them In the history OF the
world, and warning his followers
against divisions within their ranks
jealousles, dissension and internal
strife, Arthur G. Townley, president
of tho National Nonpartisan league,
last evening delivered h;s first ad-
dress before the organizations private
caucus at Paterson's hall
For the first time in the history
Of the United States,' MIR. TOwnley
told the caucus, "the law-naking
power OF sovereign state has been
taken away from the exploiters ana
devourers and placed in the hands of
white men, men who have noble
purpose, who are raised from out OF
themselves and look across the uni
verse and see the stars with only the
desire to make the most of this won
derful opportunity.
I'VE can depend upon the will OF
the majority" Mr.. Townley continued.
do not rely upon my Judgment, for
l make mistakes Every man makes
mistakes. But there is some higher
power which pervades us, some guild
ing Influence, and just as the world
revolves, just as the rivers run, just
as the winds blow, just as the oxygen
of the air keeps us alive, SO does
this collective Intelligence guide our
purposes; 5>h H% "
rownley Believes in God.
''In other words, believe in God,
and am not afraid of the decision OF
the people or this state or any decis'
ion which their representatives here
may make. sae >@}'
my only fear is that we may be-
come entangled in the jealousies and
prejudices whichs have kept the pe0.
pie apart for centuries, that I'VE ma,
let little persahal desires intrude, and
so forget the big things. ;.,'rst-~ ..
".., Euiopixes' F. 9. Wood.
II want to see all OF you--and l
want all of you to help me to be
what l want you to be-like my friend
F.. b. Wood, the first man who Joined
the Nonpartisan league and who all
his life single-handed had Deen fight
ing for the things this league stands
for. Never have seen the slightest
suggestion Of a selfish purpose in this
man. Nothing he has ever said or
done has in the remotest degree sug'
gested self interest Do you realize
that Is the greatest thing that can
be said of any man? And 1 am proud
to say that that same feeling exists
among most of those affiliated with
this movement apd glory in that de-
velopment lof character. ..
LET us guard thls magnificent IN:
strument which is bufb to employ for
the betterment OF humanity. Let US
make it an organization to serve the
people for everything in ttthis league
belangs to the peiple and it will sur.
vive only so long as it dedicates Itself
to unselfish service.
seeks NoInIu0 IoT 0SU.
II swear to God, here and now, that
! will give all my flesh and hood be-
fore will knowingly seek anything
from this organization. The greatest
thing in life Is service and there Is no
honor which you can confer upon me
greater than the honor OF allowing
me to serve yOu."
1--WE have arrived at the place and
the time to either accomplish the
league program or quit coming to Bis.
marck," Mr.. Townley continued.
Much depends upon our action. Not
only the prosperity, safety and happl'
ness OF. the people of North Dakota.
but the fate of the toilers all over the
United States will be altered by our
decision. l cannot too strongly EN-.
phasize the importance of wisely ana
unselfishly considering every step we
take. Never were group OF men
gathered before on whose honesty. in.
telligence and sincerity SO much de-
pends. We must go aheaX but we
must test each step and move care
fully"
Looks for Criticism. III
Inc SpOCldl lut0ICSIS oAC AoI oS's
ing much just nOw,' he added, "but
this is only the lull before the storm.
In few days the most vindictive:
vituperative, vile. dishonest flood OF
criticism in the history of the United
States will be let loose. We will be
abused as few men have been abused
before because we have the courage
to stand for new order.
"You legislators also will have to
face the strongest, most cunning, in
siduous and dishonest lobby that has
afflicted any legislature in the history
OF North Dakota. They will try to
convince you to listen to them, they
will beg to change a word here. to al
ter a phrase there, but their only pur-
pose will be to destroy the league
program. We must stand firm and
we must counsel together in these
caucuses, for II 1t, had not been for
the caucuses Of two years ago there
would be no league today"