Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-12-05
WHAT is COMMUNISM!

Editor Askov American:
My encyclopedia defines Commun-
ism as follows: Unity, political prin-
ciple which in order to insure equal
division of societys products, abol-
ishes the principle Of individual own
ership, and on the basis of a new
society introduces cooperative produc-
ton, ownership and use of the pro-
ducts of the labor of society; known
from the earliest times and practiced
in the oldest Christian societies, its
principle in practical use in family
life today.
Now A. M. Simonsen, that differs
from your definition of Communism:
let us be frank about it, you know
that you cannot attack the principles
of Communism, so you concentrate on
attacking the means by which Com
munists propose to change the sys-
tenn of capitalism.
The Communists being absolutely
realistic, recognize the fact that al
though it would be very desirable to
change the system by ballot or peace
able means, it will not be allowed
to do so; force will be used against
it. Remember, Capitalism will never
give up its wealth and power volun-
tarily and it has little respect for its
own laws, when it's rule is in danger.
With the press and (through the pow
err Of money! government itself in
the hands of few capitalists, is there
any hope Of changing the system of
economic slavery by ballot? Will the
Capitalists sit idle by and let the
common people legislate them out
of one thin dime? Indeed not. The
aims of the Communists through the
foregoing explanation make it clear
that it dares not put too much faith
in the ability of the Constitution to
protect the common people any more,
and that in spite of the Declaration
of Independence and the constitution,
life liberty and the pursuit of hap
piness is not to be had for the COM
mon people, and that the common
people, in the true sense of the word,
are the ones who are being robbed
of those liberties. not the 10000 Com
munists, but by less than that num-
Der of Capitalists. l would consider
any one a traitor to this country if
they fail to fight for the welfare of
the common people AGAINST the few.
and when the Communists had this
fight it matters not that they take
advice from country where this
fight has been fought to conclusion.
The aim is not to deliver this country
into the hands of a foreign nation.
but into the hands of the common
people where it belongs.
This nation was born in revolu-
ton and is itself a product thereof.
Our greatest Americans fought for the
principle of liberty; and the constitu-
ton was made to guarantee trat lib
erty. 1t is not the fault of the con-
stitution or it's creators that a few
robber barons are able to nullify its
provisions.
What did such great Americans as
Thomas jefferson. Abraham lincoln
and the beloved author, Mark Twain,
have to say about patriotism, the duty
and rights of the common people?
They were fighters for the cause OF
humanity. l quote Mark Twain as
follows:
Mark Twain on Revolution-You
see my kind of loyalty is to my coun-
try, not to it's institutions or its Of
flee holders. Institutions are ex-
traneous-they are it's mere clothing
and clothing can wear out. become
ragged. cease to be comfortable. cease
to protect the body from winter. dis
ease. death. To be loyal to some old
rags-that is loyalty to unreason: ii
is pure animal. I was from Connect
cut, whose constitution declares that
all political power is inherent to the
people. and all free governments are
founded on their authority and in
stituted for their benefits, and that
they have at all times an undeniable
right to alter their form of govern
ment in such a manner as they shall
think expedient. Under that gospel
the citizen who thinks he sees that
the commemorative political clothes
are worn out. and yet holds his tongue
and does not agitate for a new suit
is disloyal, he is traitor.
LARS P. JENSEN.