The Cordova daily times., 1920-05-29
EDIT r: 0RIAI..
DEMAGOGUERY OF ' THE WORST KIND

The Times IS Ill receipt Of an aTt- Sle written by one Thomas E. Dray- ton of Seward, with an explanatory letter that the same was being sent to many of the largest newspapers of the United States and would be re- leased for publication outside on Sun- day, May 30, 1920. The Times has read the article and does not care to even impliedly endorse the sentiments contained therein, and therefore we do not publish it in full We have heard of Mr Drayton before. Articles from his pen have appeared in Henry Ford's paper, the Dearborn Indepen- dent, and such other articles may be dismissed by stating that the state ments contained in them about Alaska conditions are no more accurate than the few that will be quoted from his latest effusion. Suffice it to say, that this man Drayton seems to have set himself up as a self-appointed mentor for this Territory. He speaks with the voice of authority. His voice seems well trained. He selects large and snouthfilling words. He has the secret of convincing editors that what he says should be published. His voice is resonant and carries far, but listen we'll dear reader, with all those ex- Cellent qualities, he is like fine automobile without gasoline to run it, because what he emits is usually pif- fle Politically and economically he is a Wallingford. Always entranced by grand ideas for the promotion oi the welfare of Alaska. His latest idea is that Alaska should be aut0nO- z nous, which means that Alaska should separate itself from the rest of the United States, become in fact a sep arate country, with only nominal ties to bind it to the federal government. To play somewhat the same relation to the United States that Canada and Australia play to Great Britain.
 MT. Drayton says in one part of his article: "It may we'll be doubted if there could be found a competent stu " dent of Alaskan affairs who does not foresee that the future holds in store for Alaska either virtual independence or rigorous subjection under a pro- consular despot supported by the sword alone" Now what do you know
 
 to be made slaves despite the 18th, 14th and 1 9th Amendments to the United States Constitution, and des bite the sacrifices of the Civil War, unless we become independent and cease to be American citizens, but become a separate people holding but a nominal allegiance to our Uncle Sam. He would have us divorce our Uncle To cut him off in his old age, after he had been kind to us, and helped rear us. o Tempora, o Mcres, O He'll.
 Drayton's passion for hyperbole cannot be throttled The sound of his phrase means more to him than accuracy and devotion to bare facts < To quote again. And, also, the dis agreeable but unavoidable conclusion forces itself upon the mind that since the United States government, during a period of boasted ethical virility unexcelled in history, has forced upon the people of Alaska a policy of bu- reaucratic oppression such as would have shamed a Persian satrap to en- force" Your good old Uncle Sam worse than a Persian satrap Help! The only thing for Alaska to do is to appeal to the league of nations We are in the oppressed small nation class along with Ireland, India, and others. Shall we follow their example and forcibly throw off from our droop- ing necks the shackles of this ter rible, e-than-Persian satrap?
 Drayton blithely tells us that sixty Der cent of the people of Alaska have abandoned homes here because of the governments failure in administrative control. This is plain bunk to speak frankly. Alaskas population dwindled with the working out of the rich plac- CT camps This was the main cause. The working of the bureaus at Wash ington admittedly has been disheart- ening at times, but it is only fair to say that they had but a relatively small part in causing people to leave Alaska. In recent years, men have left Alaska because wages were high CT in the States, and this could not be helped. It was an economic con dition. Drayton says the government of the United States should be "con- tent with tho erraot hl1t ra,1ro1X iucidoO.