Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-01-21

the basis OF the statewide membership that will t4len
be present. and Of formulating policies in harmony with
the declared purposes of the Organization as already ex-
|isting.
The Independent Voters Association is an association,
,nonpartisan in character, and Independent Of national poll
itics. devoted to the formulation and carrying out Of poll
cies beneficial to the state. In particular. at this time.
the purpose Of the association is to protect essential prin-
iciples of government which are now being trampled un-
der foot in this state. and to erect, if possible, a bulwark
of defense for the state against the attacks which Social
lists, under various names and different gusses, are max
ing upon it.
One of the main reasons why the state of North Da-
ll<ota is in its present unenviable condition, notorious as it
is becoming as the hotbed of Socialism for this naIon. u
that the residents Of the state who are really in favor Of
decent and orderly government, with the rights of the in
dividual. no matter what his opinions, fully protected,
and with the sanctity of human endeavor recognized,
have in too many cases failed to express themselves. In
many cases this has been from mere inertia, a tendency
to sit still and expect that everything will work together
for good, and the disposition to let the other fellow at
tend to it. Those who have been influenced by this dis
position need to wake up, or, presently, they will find
that the things which have made life worth living for
them have disappeared altogether. &C. IT,. .
There are others, how numerous it is impossible to
say, who have refrained from taking a hand in the busi-
ness Of their state through sheer cowardice. They have
been threatened with the business boycott. with the loss
OF some position which they hold, with some punishment
of some kind, if they dared to speak or act in opposition
to the will of the bosses who are recognized by the Nom
partisan league. Wherever that tendency exists, those
who exhibit it should be forced to take their places where
they belong, with the Socialists to whom they are catering
and whose punishment they fear so greatly. 1t is possible
for a time, during the progress of almost any movement
that it is possible for the individual to tread sort,y TO
whisper lightly, to avoid the utterance of anything which
may be displeasing to anyone, and to convey the impress
sion OF being on the side of the person present, no matter
which side that may be. But when the movement as
sumes proportions such as to give it wide importance as
an influence for the great good or the great i'll of very
many people, the time comes when it is necessary for the
individual to show his colors and to declare which side he
is on.
1t is for the purpose of making public facts with ref
erence to the Socialist policies which are now sought to
be imposed on this state that the independent Voters, as
ISOLATION exists, and for which the Bismarck meetina ;s
to be held. 1t is to be hoped that it's attendance will he
large, and that the gathering may result in something
concrete which will serve as a rallying policy for all those
who are committed to the real welfare of the state.