Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-04-01
PARTISAN PROPAGANDA.

Our good friend the Christian Science Monitor, like
several other admirably conducted journals, has appar-
gandist.~ In most cases there has been a fairly prompt
and quite complete recovery from the attack, but with
the Monitor the malady persists.
The Monitor by no means endorses the league or its
plans. 1t has intended tt. make a fair presentation of the
facts in the case, and it has commented on the statements
of fact made to it, pointing out that allowance must be
made for the, bias Of the informants and reminding its
readers that the controversy involved in discussions Of
the league is one of strong animosity, and that out of the
conflicting statements it is difficult to ascertain just what
is the truth.
That there are difficulties in the case for an out
slider is admitted. But it may be suggested that there are
difficulties in connection with every other controvcrted
subject, and that most controversies engender more or
less bitterness and are. marked by strong bais. In this
the present dispute is in no way peculiar.
1t happens that the Monitor has been giving space
of late to many. statements cmanating from one or other
of the two representatives of the league who are touring
the east, drawing salaries from the state as its employees,
and carrying on a political campaign at the expense Of
the state. They emphasize, of course. their official po-
shon rather than their league connection. But it is diff
ficult to understand why editors so astute as those of the
Monitar can fail to recognize the earmarks of the polici-
cal propaganda in the statements which have thus been
given wide circulation. .
While it is not always easy to get at the truth, some
approach to it can often be made without relying on the
manifessly. partisan statements of extremists on either
side of a question. 1t ought not to be difficult for any
fairly intelligent reader of the constitution Of Soviet Rus
STA, for instance, to understand that a government based
on that constitution is not a good government, no matter
WHdt ud De II dCLS d s TO II industrial, agricultural,
commercial or educational status in particular localities.
Similarly, there are facts enough available relating
to the North Dakota situation to provide at least a fair
basis for conclusions without the need for reliance. on the
statements Of persons who are obviously more interested
in the success of a cause than in the promotion of the
work of education. There are some points which, to the
strictly unprejudiced outside observer, must be more CIR
less obscure. But that is not a sufficient reason for ignor-
ing facts which are not disputed, which are perfectly OBJ
Lvious, and which have an important bearing on the sub
ject. s - s@ I'D
We have such, facts IN the financial history of the
lea que, and the methods which have been employed in
the management Of it's affairs; in the open and cynical
defiance by the league managers of the legal safeguards
which have been provided for the security of the state
and the protection of its people in the enjoyment Of their
rights; in the character Of the men who have been en-
ployed as the trusted agents of the league; in the dragoon-
ing Of members of the legislature through a vicious eau
Gus system into voting contrary to their own convictions;
in the deliberate attack on the independence Of the indi-
vidua1 representative through the pledges which he has
been required to make that in all matters he win be
guided by the decisions of others rather than by his own
judgment. There are facts innumerable of this character,
and while they of themselves do not constitute proof or
charges in5oher specific cases, they do at least serve to
esta blish a basis for an estimate of the league and of the
character of its leadership. With such . basis established,
it is surely the part Of a journal which aims to be fair and
just TO accept with reserve and examine with care state
ments which are obviously made for campaign purposes
by those associated with a vicious and discredited system.