The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1921-11-25
CLASS AGAINST CLASS.

--.-- . y 60
CLASS AGAINST CLASS.
The following is sent to the Cava:
her Chronicle by F. Karel Of Wal
halla, and is taken from an article
published in the Courier-News and
which Editor Kent copies for the on
hghtment Of his readers:
"Now word to the farmers who
make up the rank and file Of our or
ganization. We know the real op
ponents Of our cause are the organ
ized money power and big, business
corporations outside of our state
with the politicians in the state, but
who swell the vote Of our opponents
at the elections? Election returns
show nearly every country precinct
gives q solid majority for the Lea
que, while the towns go just as SOL
idly against us. What are these
little dinky towns! Il handful of
little stuck-up business men, bank
trs and storekeepers, who get their
bread and butter from the farmers,
while they lift their heels against US
who feed them. Not only do they
east their own vote against us, but
being at work early and late they
Dollute the atmosphere Of the whole
town and stir up the rest of the peo-
pie against the damned farmer.
How would these business men
fare if they did not get the patron
age Of the farmer! Do we farmers
have to patronize our enemies while
they are fighting or can we get our
grocery, our dry goods and our re-
pairs from someone who does not
fight us? Let us consider the mat
ter and see if. we. can't find some
way to supply our needs without GO
ing to our enemies for It. Just let
rs try it for one year-give it a
fair trial and see how they will pros
ler.n
That the Courier-News should
publish views such as the above, is
not to be wondered at, as the policy
Of that propaganda sheet has ever
been to create hatred among the
farmers for the townspeople, but it
is rather surprising that Editor Kent.
should lower himself to so belittle
The townspeople from whom he de-
fves his patronage.
The "handful of little stuck-up
businessmen, bankers and storekeep-
ers" whom the farmers have been
urged to boycott, have been in many
eases, carrying these farmers for
years on their books. This is no
fault Of the farmer, poor crops and
Increased taxation have made it
very hard to raise money to pay bills.
The merchant has the same trouble
and is out his money and interest.
Through it all he has been tolerant
and courteous, considering the strug-
gle he has to keep up under the
load he carries.
These men are stamped as enemies
Of the farmer. Will any mail order
house or cooperative" store wait
for the money when the farmer buys
2 years supply Of groceries or dry
soods? We think not. Yet the
businessmen, who are always ready
b do their best for the farmers. ars
told through the columns Of the
Chronicle that "they get their bread
and butter from the farmers, while
they lift their heel against us who
need them.1
Is this justice to the businessmen
Of these "dinky towns" for extending
Yavors to the farmers BY giving Gre
Gt when asked for it? These same
men are "AEhting the farmer" spol-
lutinK the atmosphere Of the whole
town' with venom against the "dam-
ned fazmers." Il cannot be denied
~ their worst enemies that the
handful Of little stuck-up business.
men" hans more than come half way
Tor ths mutua! benefit Of himself
ana the farmers. and BEEN willing to
svesseok the miserable abuse that
.aas bssn heaped upon his head.
Spsaldag sf pollutins the a&,nos.
herA Editsf Kent b deinx his share
tsyasd that end b stsrriag up and
singing tAe mud from the Courier