Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1892-02-18
TIME SQUARES THINGS.
An old Letter of Ex-Governor
Church.
sound Sentiments About Personal
Abuse In tho Press.

Jamestown Alert: In the fall Of
1883 The Alert received a private letter
from ex-Gov. Church, then territorial
governor, concerning certain political
matters of interest at that time. Per-
mission to publish the letter was re-
fused for the reason that it was writ
ten with no other object than stated in
the letter. The governor replied that
he rested confident in the belief that
his administration would, in time, be
judged correctly by the impartial peo-
pie of Dakota as one that was working
for the welfare Of the citizens Of the
territory generally. 1t was a season
of fsctional fights, the republican
leaders were arrayed against the dem
ocratic governmtnt, and the democrats
themselves were split no less sharply.
The letter referred to was called out
by a comment in The Alert on u grossly
partisan and unfair review Of the
Church administration that appeared
in the Chicago News, under a Bis
marck date. The article in tho News
characterized Gov. Church by many
apprabrious epithets, and, under
cover, assailed his public and private
acts in Dakota in most scurrilous
way. Nearly four years have elapsed
since then, and the official conduct of
ex-Gov. Church is now seen in clearer
light. 1t has long since been approved
by many who were not informed as to
the service the governor was then ren-
dering the people, and particularly the
taxpayers. They now see that he
saved the state thousands of dollars
by vetoing unwise and needless appro-
priations. He fought every bill that
had job in it, no matter from which
side it originated, he opposed the whole
legislature when necessary, he was
chief of his administration and per-
mitted no excuses, and no "rakeoffs"
on the part of his fellow officials. He
served simply for the honor of the pos
ition and left it practically broke. and
in no very high estimation in the minds
of the people as to the quality of the
work he did. "Tlme at last sets all
things even,'' and it is now seen in
many quarters, especially in the light
of two North Dakota legislatures, that
Gov. Church was a friend to the people
Of l, cfof of ar, \, .,t
his political opponents said or wrote
about him at that time.
AS the reasons for withholding en-
Gov. Church S letter have disappeared
with the new order of things, the Alert
takes the liberty Of publishing the
same now, with the passing comment
that several Of the sentiments therein
expressed are as applicable now as
when written, particularly in view of
an approaching state campaign where
issues are likely to be sharply defined
and much eager hostility aroused.
The letter is as follows:
BISMARCK. Sept. "a, 1883.
i1lClU-1 uOClCCu III lSSuC
Of the 22nd inst. a reference to an az
ticle which lately appeared in the
Chicago News. | want to thank you
for your kind words. l appreciate it
all the more coming as it does from a
political opponent and at a time when
party strife is upon us. Ioften wonder
at the composition of mind and heart
that can wantonly tear down and ruin
or attempt to tear down and ruin the
character Of man. regardless Of facts,
truth, Oh sense Of fairness. The high
wayman who takes the law into his
hand and also runs the risk of his life
when he demands of you to stand and
deliver. has an element one can appre-
ciate. But what can be a correct est-
mate Of one, who, simply because he
has access to a newspaper, makes use
of it to blow a blast of villification and
Misrepresentation Of his neighber to
thousands: and especially when the
one assailed is tied and silenced by
reason of official position?
The iavelin of foul abuse may strike
the person at which it is thrown, the
agony and means are heard around the
hearthstOne, but brave man never
ninches. shall continue on just as |
| nave UtSu dlN W lllc DGSt VI lly
ability be true to the confidence re-
posed in me by the president, and do
my full duty to our people.
Is capital and immigration attracted
to our territory, is the outside world
! impressed favorably regarding our
people, &C.. when men persist in a
policy which would lead many perhaps
to believe we are a community of
scoundrels? Men who write and have
written articles like the one referred
to have done more to injure Dakota
than dozen billiards or early frosts.
There has been considerable talk
about investigation. The men who in
dulge in it, and thereby scandalize
honest men and officials, may think
these matters are good Rolands fol-
divers until after election. These
gentlemen may be disappointed. The
executive and my brother officials in
vite the most rigorous scrutiny. Can
others invite the same? But must
close and again thanking you for your
sense of fairness and justice, am sin
cerely, L. K. CHURCH.