The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1919-12-04
DIFFERENT IN NORTH DAKOTA

The contrast between conditions in North d.
kota and other states in the midst of the pres
ent serious unrest ought to find a few surprises
especially for those who have been mislead INTO
believing that this state IS IN the hanos VI 'no
%oririnal Bolshevists.
There have been no mobbings or rlotlngs or
strikes of local origin in North Dakota since the
signing of the armistice.
We doubt whether the same can be said OF
any other state. Mobbings, riotings and strikes
have been the almost universal symptoms OF a
worldwide disease left by the wal. These mani
fastations of unrest or rebellion have ragged with
UNPARALLELED virulence in the industrial states.
Even in the agricultural states there have been
serious manifestations OF unrest. Directly east
of us Minnesota has contracted an lngroWlng
mob habit and Minnesota courts have recently
rendered some decisions that strongly resemble
mob decisions. West of North Dakota Montana
has felt the effects of many strikes and much
violence. just to the south is South Dakota, an
agricultural counterpart of North Dakota, but
ever in South Dakota within two months has oc-
Cured a most outrageous mob affair.
Even when the great coal strike came it eff
fected North Dakota, a coal producing state, in
o totally different way than any other state.
When other states were seethinIg with coal
strikes, and industry was rapidly becoming par
alyzed, North Dakota's coal mines were kept in
operation and an amicable arrangement with
the miners.
In which ever way we turn we encounter
these facts about North Dakota in the midst of
the present national turmoil: There is less I'M
rest among it's workers and farmers. There is a
greater spirit of Cancellation and a less tendency
to strike. There is less bitterness and an absence
of the spirit of violence among the common peo-
pie. There is greater loyalty and love among the
common people for the state governmet and a
heartier support of it's u1poses and policies.
But why? North Dakota is a part of the
United States and the world. It's boundaries are
are artificial and cannot shut out the general
conditions of this country and the world. The
cost of living is as high here as in other states.
Wages are as low here as elsewhere. No more
produce is raise dto the acre than elsewhere.
The people of North Dakota, like other people
have the acute problem of existence and are
confronted by the same political and industrial
problems as other states.
Why then is North Dakota free from so much
of the unrest and strife that is rending other
states.
1t is because other states are ruled by economic
interests that represent a small minority, while
North Dakota is ruled by the economic interests
of it's two largest elements-the farmers and
wage eaTEers.
It is because minority interests can rule only
by sowing the seeds of prejudice and dissension,
while majority interests rule best by spreading
knowledge and unity.
1t is because majorities progress best by
peaceful legislation. while mirorities exist only
by corrupting and blocking legislation and driv-
ing the people to the use Of force.
If we could tear the veil from the face of the
present system we would realize that social un-
rest and strife and trouble are the artificial Gre
ations of economic minorities trying to divide
and rule majorities.