Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-06-24
TT DOESN'T HAPPEN OFTEN.

n DOESN'T HAPPEN OFTEN.
The state Of Minnesota has had a
narrow escape. With SAM sentiment
overwhelmingly preponderant, as the
record Of the vote shows, the state
has avoided by a very narrow
gin having the g~ubernatorial nomina-
ton Of Its dominant political party
go to a representative of Socialistic
and revolutionary doctrines as exem-
plified in A. c. >Townley and the
horde of paid agttators who have been
touring the state in his interest for
months past: 1t is not certain that
the representative Of the Socialist ,ele-
ment would have been elected inlNo-
vmber, had he been nominated. That
his nomination would have been fol-
lowed by a strong reaction is certain.
Republicans who had not taken the
situation seriously would have beef
shocked into a realization of the
emergency which confronted them,
and many Of these would have tried
to repair the mischief that had been
done. But the danger would have
assumed an acute form. A place
on the Republican ballot in a state
like Minnesota carries with it a pres
tige that cannot be overlooked or
ignored, and there is 4 strong prob
ability that the nomination Of DR..
S~hipstead would have been followed
by the transfer of control of the ad-
ministration Of that great state to
Townley, and the opportunities which
control of the North Dakota admin
istration are. not & circumstance to
those which he would have enjoyed
in Minnesota y
This danger existed because there
was not sufficient APPRECIATION Of the
real situation among men who have
the real interests of the state at heart,
and, because there was not suf1cient
cohesion among them to cause them
to adopt the simple and obvious
course Of concentrating their effort
and thereby making success certain.
Personal, political and fractional con-
sideretions operated to induce four
men to present themselves ase inde-
pendent candidates for tho nomina-
ton for governor AZ opposed to J.. A.
O. Preus. who had been decided on
by representative Republicans from
all over the state as the most avail
able man, all things considered, to
lead in the fight for safe, decent, or
DERBY and progressive government in
this campaign. Whatever. the mo-
tfves were which impeiled, these mon
to remain in the contest. the effect OF
their presence was to weaken the cause
n to play directly into the hands
of the ami itious boss who has orx.n-
lied in his support the Socialists. the
I. W. WIS, and every element which
seeks to destroy the essentials of
American government.
By a remarkable campaign, in
which the superb effort Of Mr.. Preus
meta magnificent response from the
people of the state, this danger was
averted. But, that which has han.
pened In Minnesota does not happen
often. The people Of no state a af-
ford to take such chances as were
taken there. The risk is too great
The interests at stake are too vital
to permit or excuse trifling.
The crisis through which Mime
sofa has passed has its lesson for
North Dakota. The government Of
this state passed into tho hands vhere
1t now reposes largely because Of an
easy-gofng indifference on the part
Of many Of our people. There was
a large and generous federation of
men Of spotted character and ob3iuue
records, and d feeling that they could
not do much harm even If they did
wilma little political success. Az a
result We have e . the* government
Of our state transformed into 4 ma
chine for the propagation Of Socialist
principles and . refuge for profess
sional agitators and misfits Of. every
kind.
This state Of things will continue
q grow worse unless adequate
measures are taken to change 1T. The
opportunity to begin the reformation
will be afforded. 1t the coming cleo
ton. We cannot afford to play with
the sttustion. We must act together
and vote together for the safety and
prosperity of tho state.
THE FRIENDS WHO BACK YOU UP
." Y S..... ." .
It's the friends who are behind you
o depend on all the while,
Not the friends You'll meet tomorrow
o. the friends Of pomp and style:
When you're UP against a battle for
a goal or silver cup,
It's the old friends who are with you
for they always back you up.
You don't have to turn to see> them,
you just know that they are there,
NWhA~ fnS1o- -kAeA ~o,,s- -~a.- -