The Nonpartisan Leader Newspaper, March 18, 1918, Page 10

by millions ot our people, not because of the scarc- ity of the things needed to support life in comfort, but because of extortionate prices foisted upon us by speculators and gamblers. Following the de- mands of the platform on which I was elected, I shall use every effort to have the government take over, operate and control during the war the great terminal industries, such as packing houses, re- frigerator car lines and terminal elevators and mills, coal mines, lumber mills, steel and armor plate mills, iron mines, munition plants and rail- ways. “A free press and freedom of speech are the bul- warks of human liberty. Rights surrendered may never be regained. Therefore, no attempt to muz- zle the public press or individuals, upon any pre- text whatsoever, shoull be permitted. “A declaration of war does not repeal the Con- stitution of the United States, and the unwar- ranted interference of military and other author- itiezs with the rights of the individual must cease. It is the duty of those remaining at home to de- fend these rights, not for themselves only, but also in the interest of the patriotic youth battling in foreign lands, in order that they shall not have fought in vain. PROFITEERS ARE TRAITORS CONGRESSMAN BAER SAYS “In making this declaration of my position, I consider it a patriotic service to my country. Pa- triotism can not flourish where want "and ignor- ance exist. Therefore, no greater service can a man render than to proclaim the truth. A people in possession of a true knowledge of affairs are more capable ‘of successfully waging a righteous war and none other should be waged by any nation. “Those who would profit by the misery and suf- ferings of humanity are traitors, and not patriots. In waging this war, it is well we ‘bear in mind that any cause which will not stand the light of truth can not, and should not prevail “Patriotism needs no fostering care, but is a plant of sturdy growth, having its roots deeply imbedded in the hearts of a people whose abiding strength rests in freedom and in truth. Let our war be in this spirit, and the patriotism of our people will respond in a manmer that will bring lasting peace and happiness to all mankind.” The above includes every word about the war appearing in the pamphlet referred to, on which the prosecution of Mr. Townley is based in a re- mote county of Minnesota, which county takes it upon itself to prosecute Mr. Townley for the circu- lation of a pamphlet which has had the freedom of the United States mails, and which has been circu- lated for nine months with the knowledge of 15 state governments and the United States govern- ment. Below on this page the Leader presents a discussion of the various points raised in this pamphlet in the League resolutions and in the statement of Congressman Baer. —~ What Town Autocrats Call Sedition Some of the Things Included in the Pamphlet Which Caused the Arrest of Mr. Townley and Why the United States Has No Hand in the Prosecution HE pamphlet which neither na- tional or state governments considered seditious, but which is used as a basis for the arrest of Mr. Townley by the prose- cutor of Martin county, Minn., is published in full on the pre- ceding pages of the Leader. It of course speaks for itself and every League member and reader of the Leader will draw his own conclusions. The Leader has printed on the preceding pages every word con- cerning the war which appeared in the pamphlet. But it may not prove uninteresting to point out a few things about the pamphlet and the arrest, be- cause some explanation is necessary to show why the pamphlet was not, and could not be, interpreted as “hindering enlistments” by the United States and the state governments of the 15 states, where it has been circulated for many months, and why it has remained for a remote county in Minnesota to interpret it as seditious. Minnesota is in the midst of a very strenuous political campaign, in which organized farmers and )rganized labor have united to clean the state of ooliticians and restore the government to the peo- ole. Great series of meetings are being held shroughout the state and interest is running high. [t has been practically a foregone conclusion for weeks that the united farmers will sweep the state slean at the state-wide primaries next June. This fact has been called most forcefully to the ittention of the politicians who have held sway n the past and still hold jown the political of- ‘ices of the state. It has also been yrought home to the war srofiteers, the big mnongpolies and the bene- *iciaries of special privi- ege in the state. Therefore these inter- 3sts determined some months ago on a ruth- ess campaign of fright- ‘ulness against the or- ranized farmers and’ abor unions. These in- erests, who feel their rrip on Minnesota slip- sing, are desperate be- yond the ability of words ;0 express it. They con- :rol the newspapers and sther avenues of pub- ’ icity and the public of- ‘ices of the state, which, inlike past: campaigns, ‘his time does not prom- se them victory. They 1ave unlimited funds. Therefore they are able ;0 put up a most formid- ble campaign against ‘he organized farmers ind organized labor, but 'or various reasons have )een playing a losing rame. ; ; " By repeated insinua- ’ collection. which is the French custom. mittee on public information of the United States government. Leader can obtain original copies of this photograph by cutting out this picture and sending it with 10 cents to the committee on public information, Washington, D. C. originals of the pictures on the war appearing in the Leader, in order_to make a war photograph ' . tions and veiled or open charges of lack of patriot- ism and disloyalty, directed at the organized farm- ers, the powerful and sinister interests with which the farmers are at grips in Minnesota have sought to wrap themselves in the American flag and The newspapers and politicians of . Minnesota and the interests they serve have become desperate. Their desperation is caused by the fact, growing more and more apparent every day, that the organized farm- ers, in co-operation with union labor, are going to carry the state-wide pri- maries in June. This article shows why the opposition to the Nonpartisan league is seeking to trample the con- stitution in the dirt by denying the farmers a right to meet in some coun- ties, and why they also have resorted to causing the arrest of League repre- sentatives. This article also discusses some of the statements made in the famous pamphlet on which the arrest of Mr. Townley is based. No matter what state you live in, you can not af- ford to remain unposted on the Minnesota situation. - HERE'S A PICTURE OF OLD GLORY IN FRANCE Decorating heroic soldiefs in France before American flags. A French general is seen kissiné a hero, This picture is used by the Leader under arrangements with the com- By special agreement readers of the . PAGE TEN _treasonable. Many readers are sending for the make it appear that to turn the present office holders out in favor of others, indorsed by the farmers and labor, would be highly seditious and But farmers and labor in Minnesota have not been put on the defensive in.regard to their patriotism and whole-hearted Americanism. On the contrary, their meetings have been great loyalty gatherings, featured by strong resolutions approving President Wilson’s statement of war aims and pledging the support of farmers and labor to win the war; and also have been marked by big collections for the Red Cross. There is not a word or a phrase in the economic dr political program of the organized farmers that smacks of disloyalty, unless “it is disloyal to denounce war profiteers and food gamblers,.a servile press, and self-seeking, flag-waving politicians. p DENIAL OF FREE SPEECH REACTS AGAINST ENEMIES The first big drive against the farmers was the stoppage of about 80 per cent of their meetings in some parts of the state, which the state govern- ment has refused to date to prevent, thus en- couraging anarchy. Seme of these meetings were suppressed on the ground they would prove dis- loyal if held. In the case of others no such charge. was made. The farmers were simply told that no meetings could be held, whether patriotic or not, as this was “war times” and any “agitation” was inadvisable. In other words, the farmers’ plans to indorse and elect candidates of their own and organized labor’s choosing is “agitation,” and must ; be suppressed in the in- terests of present office holders who are running for re-election. This drive against League meetings fell flat. Meetings are being held throughout the state at the rate—of 10 to 15 a massmeeting of farmers and organized labor is scheduled at St. Paul for March 19, 20 and 21, to which farmers and union men of other states are also invited. : The attempt to deny the - constitutional right and free speech to farm- ers has reacted against the political gang, the big interests and the press of the state that tried to use it to stamp out the Nonpartisan league. It has caused support for the League in' unexpected quarters, from thousands of per- sons in the cities who, would probably not have allied = themselves with: . ‘the League, but who day and a great monster’ of peaceful 'assemblage’ ~had this not happened, : have done.so as -a pro-: - test against official g Al e el ! ¥ )