The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1920-10-01
HANDS Off
OUR SCHOOLS
WASHINGTON COULD STAND THE
FINANCIAL LOSS OF
TOWNLEYISM
BUT SCHOOLS ARE SACRED
And Socialism and Contempt for Con.
stitutlonal Government Must
Not Be Taught.

OF all the indictments that can be
made of the rule and reign of Town
leYism or the Nonpartisan League in
North Dakota, none is more damaging
than that indictment of making a po-
litical football of the public schools of
that state.
II is bad enough when the intelligent
citizens of state have to submit to
the domination of an autocracy whose
headquarters are not even within the
state borders, and which to that ex-
tent subjects the people to outside and
even foreign influence, for. as is well
known, the government in North Da-
kota really has its headquarters in
St. Paul. Minnesota.
Before Townleyism prevailed the cry
was that Minneapolis. through its
milling interests and board of trade
was really governing North Dakota
and it was largely this cry that swung
the state in line for the Nonpartisan
League. The difference now is that
Minneapolis has been exchanged for
St. Paul.
If the st. Paul government were
beneficient, if it were not self-seekng
II 1t were economical, if hatred, bitter
ness. threat, spoliation, boycott and
ruination were not a part of it, one
might perhaps submit to its dictates.
although how freemen, capable of self
government, should choose to be really
governed by three men not even resi-
dents of North Dakota and be content
with a puppet governor, who dare not
call his soul his own. and a dummy
legislature, pledged in advance to vote
for every measure drawn up by the
Gar of St. Paul. almost passes human
understanding.
But this is not the point. nor even
the chief indictment made against the
Nonpartisan League.
1t is, as we have said, the ruinous
policy adopted in the matter of the
education of the youth of that state.
There is something sacred about the
education of child, as it means his
training for future citizenship, to take
his place beside his fellows in the
great game of life, to fulfill his obliga-
tions to society and to rightly and
truly serve his fellow man.
Some of our dearest memories clus-
ter about the old school house where
We fell in love with teacher, and roll
licked and rOmped with our playmates.
many of whom long since sailed out on
the yeasty sea" and landed on the
farther shore; and any act or legisla-
tion of man which would break in on
those memories or rob the school
h use of those finer sentiments and
ideals which are as fountain of life
to our jaded manhood is unforgvable
it is a crime for which the sererest
penalty must be exacted and the fullest
eXpiation made.
That the Indictment made against
the Nonpartisan League in the only
state in which it has secured control
is rue cannot be gainsaid The full
bill of particulars has been printed
again and again, and in spite of at
tempted explanations has never been
thrown cut of court
When Miss Minnie Nielsen, who was
ttl a y II pttl llodll l>ttlE utls W d lild
j0rity of over six thousand votes was
elected state superintendent of educa-
ton a year or two ago, so inCensed
woe The League leaders that every
power known was used to Dust her for
one of Townley's satelites-even the
p-wer OF the supreme court being in
yOked
Ill IT. g.; IaI .
Indignation allayed temporarily by
false and oily promises, which were to
the effect that her powers would be
e. arged rather than curtaled-itseif
brazen lie-a commission was set up
which fully usurped her powers and
made of her simply figurehead.
It is no doubt true that il was found
that Miss Nielsen. whose prerogative
II was TO outline the courses of study
for the public schools would not allow
socialism TO be taught therein and
that she would interfere with the
teaching Of a Nonpartisan League ca
tecnism. for that is the avowed aim
of all Socialists, such as practically all
the leaders of the Nonpartisan Leagu
are, ana tney WOulu rather dictate the
education of the youth of the land,
instilling into their young minds all
the vicious teachings of atheism. free
love. the hatred OF country and gov
eminent and the despoiing CT home
life and property, than capture the
Industries OF the nation.
We have had enough of the creed of
mo God, no law, no work and our
public schools, above all places. must
not be made the breeding places OF
rottenness and discomfort, or in any
way TO serve selfish political aims and
ambitions and those who have chill
dren TO educate and those interested
In the education OF children who. need
less 10 say, are the nations chief asset
and hope, should with iron and savage
heel crush into nothingness this ser
pent of political selfshness and am
bition which seeks 10 fasten its Shiny
coils around the minds of the youth
OF America.
This is what the Nonpartisan League
mas done in North Dakota This il
seeks to do in our own state Of Wash
ington