Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1920-02-11
WARNS NATION
OF RED PERIL
U. S. Department Of Justice Urges
Americans to Guard Against
BoIsheviSm Menace.
CALLS RED PLANS CRIMINAL
Press, Church, Schools, Labor Unions
and Civic Bodies Called Upon to
Teach True Purpose Of Bol-
shevist Propaganda.

washIngtOn.-Callin for the patri-
otto support of all true Americans In
its fight to protect their homes, re-
ligion and property from the spread
ing menace of BOlshevism, the United
States Department of Justice has is
sued a warning against the insidious
propaganda Of the Reds" during the
new year. 1t reads:
at would be extremely helpful to the
cause OF good government, the main
tenance of law and order and the pres
ervation of peace and happiness in our
country If the people on this New
Years day would resolve to study, I'M
derstand and appreciate the so-called
Red movement They can counter
act IL most effectively by teaching its
purpose through the press, the church,
the schools, patriotic organizations and
labor unions, all Of which are within
the range of its insidious attacks.
"Red" Theories Criminal.
"The Red movement does not mean
an attitude of protest against alleged
defects in our present political and
economic organization of society. II
does not represent the radicalism Of
progress. 1t represents specific doc
trine-namely, the introduction of die
tatorships the world over by force and
violence. 1t is not a movement of lib
erty-lOving persons, but distinctly
criminal and dishonest movement.
Lenine himself made the statement at
the Third Soviet Conference. Among
one hundred so-called BOlshevists there
is one real Bolshevik, thirty-nine GRIM
inals and sixty fools 1t advocates the
destruction OF all ownership in proper
ty, the destruction Of all religion and
belief in God. 1t is a movement or
ganized against Democracy and In IA
vor of the power Of the few built by
force. Bolshevism, syndicalism, the
Soviet Government. sabotage, etc, are
only names for old theories of violence
and criminality.
Russian Labor Crushed.
Though their ndherents in this coun-
try are advocating and fomenting
strikes, Lenine and Trotzky forbid
strikes, and trade unions are being
broken up and completely subordinated
to the will Of the few dema gogues In
control in Russia. This Bolshevist ex-
pertinent on the living body of the
Russian people has not proven In any
sense of the word an e. pertinent in
Democracy. The Bolshevist leaders
frankly repudiate democratic princi-
pies as we understand them. 1t has
been a gamble which meant for Rus
STA, and, indeed, for the whole of hui
manity, enormous losses In lives as
well as in material resources. The
Bolshevists have run up colossal bill
which the Russian worlmen and peas
ants will have to pay.
"Reds" Menace America.
Having lived at the EXPENSE Of the
Russian people for two years, these
spectators in human lives and other
peoples earnings are trying to move
10 new fields to the east and to the
west, hoping to take advantage of the
economic distress and confusion OF
mind in which humanity finds itself
after the terrific strain of five years
OF war
Its sympathizers in this country are
composed chiefly of criminals, mis-
taken idealists, social bigots and many
unfortunate men and women suffering
with varying forms Of hyperesthesia.
They are enemies of the government,
ct the church and of the home and adj
vocate principles which mean the aboli.
ton Of all three Of these safeguards OF
civilization.
Would Rob Everybody.
Twenty million people in this coun-
try own Liberty Bonds. These the
Reds propose TO take away; 9,S30, 900
people in the United States own farms
and 3,S3S0O0 more own homes, which