The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-03-05

]. T. NEWELL.
Circle, Mont, Feb. rs, 1941
The Peoples Voice,
Helena Mont.
Dear Editor:
| | am enclosing a copy of a letter
just sent to Senator Murray. You
may publish it as an open letter il
you think it will serve as signpost
along the way toward a better De-
mocracy. 1t seems that the people of
this state are grateful for your help
in removing one of their solidly en-
trenched public servants at the last
election; perhaps they shall have need
of your services in the same capacity
at the next election. OF course we
all hope there will be more elections
and that outspoken friends of the peo-
pie like "The Peoples Voice" shall
not be silenced for defense of de-
mocracy"
Very cordially yours,
HOBART McKEAN.
An Open Letter to Senator Murray:
circle, Mont, FeD. 70, l94l
Senator Murray of Montana,
Washington, D. c.
My Dear Senator:
Radio news, today, places you in
the ranks of active supporters of the
Lend-Lease bill, H. R. 1776 and quotes
your avowed reasons for this support
from your speech in the senate. Had
you remained silent and merely voted
for the bill at the proper time, it
would have been possible for many of
us othink you were merely con-
FUSED over the issue as so many of
your constituents no doubt are con-
fused.
Since you chose to speak in favor
of the bill and declare it desirable
or necessary of enactment as bull
wark against fascism and socialism,
we have no choice but to place you
as defender of Democracy. What
is not clear to me and l hope you
may be able to clarity for me is: How
the passage of so obviously and fla
gravity fascist legislation defends de-
mocracy against fascism. Perhaps
you are only confused Possibly you
do not know that it is neither just
nor wise to say that anything is
adapted to prevent fascism and So
cialism. This attempts to justify the
passage of this bill as defense of
democracy against socialism and fas-
cism when it is only true that fascism
is in itself nothing but an abrogation
of democracy in an attempt to uphold
a decadent capitalism that can no
longer be upheld by democracy.
Socialism, on the other hand, only
wishes to replace an outmoded social
system which we know as capitalism,
with genuine democracy. When the
of our people benefited by
q capitalist society, this majority sup
ported capitalism; therefore we
learned to respect and revere CAPT.
-alism and democracy with equal sim
certify. That time, when the majority
If our people benefited by capitalism,
has passed into history with no hope
If ever returning because of the ac-
principle inherent in capt.
alism. AS the wealth accumulated
n fewer and fewer hands, the eco
ionic and political power inseparably
attached to wealth under capitalism
Inevitably aggregated in the same
mall class who acquired the wealth.
Before we boast of our democracy
Ind pass legislation in its defense,
ct us examine such legislation to see
low it helps or hinders our democ-
acy. To give the president absolute
'ower to do the many things included
n H. R. 1776, is as direct blow
gainst democracy as could be ina
lined. 1t is slap in the face for all
cal, honest believers of true democ-
acy.
This is no longer the day for eco
omic and political Rip Van Wrinkles
rule the people. Neither is it the
ay of the Mother Goose style of
ublic education and information. We,
he people, want something, however
istasteful, that we can put our faith
l and by virtue of plain, common
ense, accept.
If this great country has reached
UGH a stage that the majority dare
OF be allowed to have a voice in its
overnment, then for the sake of hon
sty drop the high-sounding phrases
bout upholding and defending democ-
ICY as our president has already
ropped the phrase short of war"
nd tell us bluntly and brutally that
n hn cd hxy hn
Il and despotic method of fascism.
We, the people, may be driven to
ar, to prison, or into many forms
slavery and subsection but at not
10 far distant future time, we shall
arm the real reason for all this and
lie resultant upheaval will make ty-
Lnts, either political or economic,
eep for their sins.
There is one way, one hope, to
Toid much, or most, of this catas-
ophe; that way is through telling the
,ople the truth, the whole truth and
,thing but the rub, before it is too
tie. We dare not so mistrust the
.ople that we think to rule them by
olence when deceit and appeal to
ar and prejudice fails. The correct
Ialysis of thoroughly bad situation
quite naturally, to simply tell them
e truth 1t seems as simple to me
that.
| challenge you to ask your con-
tuents, the people of Montana, how
ey wish you to vote on this Lend
'ase bill. If you use the radio as
u did to support the bill, you may
t be in time to get their answer.