Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1883-12-06
SECTIONAL STRIFE.

If We think rightly, We have some
knowledge of the topography, geography
and general products of Eastern and
Western Washington and Northern Idaho
and our claim is that in interest they
contain all the elements fol a good State
Of the Union, that no one Of them could
be dropped without doing violence to eth
er or both of the others. We think the
people generally of each of these sections,
who have lived here for many years feel
the force of this truth, and that is why
they voted so readily for State govern
ment in 1878, after having weighed the
proposition thoroughly for dividing Wash
ington and cutting off the eastern portion
from tide water. 1t is now going on six
yesrs, and almost every man, save few
sore heads who were at first disappointed
that ever State constitution was framed
and adopted, has been moying forward
towards Statehood a. rapidly as the slow
movements of Congress would permit
him 50 to do. No man for the last five
years has hardly dared to lisp through
the newspapers, or in a public speech that
be was opposed to an early State govern
ment for the section named in the three
foregoing divisions. Until our friend
johnson, after he became safely esconced
as clerk of the Legislative Council when
that little brief authority embodencd him
to breach his pet scheme in an article for
his paper, and then in that article he dis
claimed that he would not say that he
was for the measure but only advanced
what he considered arguments in favor
Of division. But before he had time to
foresee how unpopular the question he
had induced Smith, of Whitman, to SO
far imbibc his views as to introduce a me
mortal to that effect So completely
shocked we're the members Of the Legis
lature generally, at the audacity of the
thing, that they at first did not know
whether to treat the whole thing as
burlesque or farce, or whether the move
had become inspired with some suddcl
and new political religion, that was con
trolling him, something after the mamie
of the new adycntists, or the sudden de
parture Of the pilgrims to Mecca. Blu
it was not long before the origin and pow
or Of the Inspiration, that prompted be
cause quite apparent, and 50 far as it
force and power among the people, ar
concerned it does not seem to light tn
kindling of the fire under the altar Of hop
and either our good neighbor johnson hu
to seek proper time and proper place t
crawl out Of his dilemma, or else pus
forward with all the characteristics Of
crank. He had better do the former, an
right himself, for the Territory can hare
" afford to lose one Of his briliancy of il
tellect from her horizon. Many think tha
the railroad promptedthis memorial, undo
the belief that they can better warp Te1
Eitorial legislation, than under that of
State 10 as to subservc their Interest,"
There may be something in this b,
then to suppose one so unsordid and VI
selfish as Bro. johnson could not for
moment be suspected Of being wrousl
upon by any such motives. Why to yer
many, such conduct in him would bel
al his former good record as a journals
It may be that the strength of the Olyn
pia clans have turned his head. "
must account in some way for this errat
shute and not do real violnecc or injul
70 the man. Therefore let us spread ov
him and bis pet scheme as thick a mant
Of charity as the facts will bear, and pc
haps We shall ere long see him doir
hattie for the right, and an early Sta
~,vnru~art