Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1892-07-28
How Will the .'cat" Jump

LEwIsTowN, Mont, July 25th, 1892.
MY DEAR TrM:-ft is some little time since
] wrote you last. and during that time
many events of Importance tn our cause
have TRANSFERRED. 1t is impossible, in the
short compass Of a latter, to enumerate
any but the most important of these.
First in Importance to me and conse-
quentiy TO our common cause. is the ser
ious differences that have arisen between
myself aud Mr.. 81, my partner, as to the
management and future policy of the Dem
| ocrat. We started out on a radical policy,
partly at your suggestion, and that of
others. 1t has been apparent to both of
us for some time past that We were a little
fresh, for new corners, and did not correctly
guage the temper OF the citizens of this
county. / am writing frankly and conf
dentiaily my priyste opinion as to the,
cause OF our iailnze To make the paper a..
financial success On this point Mr.. $. and
myself are perfectly agreed. Tn differences
that have arisen between MS are as to the
inture policy of the Democrat. Mr.. 5. in
sists that We should drop the line of policy
upon which We have been working, aban-
don the odd dyed-in-the-wonl Democrats
who have stood by us through thick and
thin, notably our sheriff and the Cover
nor, confess to the people of the county
that wa are fools or worse, and INNER
anew. | am unwilling tn do this. IL We
have been fools and knaves; if We ha,-j
printed many Infamous lies, and perverted
the truth upon all political subjects and
many private matters, in the hope of bring
ing contempt upon some of the leaders Of
the Republican party; if we find now that
we have only succeeded in bringing that
contempt upon ourselves, | am most un-
willing to make a public confession of all
those facts to the good people OF the
county. ] am unwilling to abandon those
staunch friends who have been our only
support during all the trying months that
are past, to leave them to their fate at the
hands OF AN indignant public. By SO doing
| all good people in the county. Ia is even
said that we have that nov, aud il could
! not be worse, but then we wuulsi confess
that we pursued our course deliberately,
and with malice aforetllougIt. Mr.. ;. ar
CUES that confession is good for Abe soul"
Confession he hanged. The people who
have stood by us and those who have op-
posed Ills would never forgive US Tor taking
such a course, aud confession without for
eivcncss is like II plea Of guilty to an indict-
ment for murder in the first degree, be
hanged If you do and bo hanged if you
don't.
At any other time this diiference between
Ills would lie far less significant than il is
at present. just now we are on the eve OF
the most important election we have ever
had in Fergus county, and l may say, in
Montana, as well. We have Ted the people
Of this county to believe that We would
conduct a 'scorching'' campaign Tocome
down now to the ordinary level al legiti-
mate work and politi cal discus
sion, would he IA great drop from the 'ele-
waited position we nave held in the past.
We cannot afford To take the leap and !
am most unwilling to attempt it. On the
other hand, to continue our present course,
is but to add to our present uiscomfiture
We have already forfeited the regard ofour
own party, aa well as of the opposition.
Unless we make "A radical change, we shall
find ourselves without the support OF the
party organization, which we have SO lar
uCio ~ a SANSAAA . Wv
party leaders feared a disruption OF all
party ties, and an ignoIninious defeat. in
the coming election; but they threaten to
follow the advice oil the majority, and cut
loose from US entirely. Our affairs, in
short, have reached a crisis, as you will
perceive. Either horn of the dilemma is
bad enough, as one is cowardly and the
other is Infamous. For myself, l prefer
not to show the white feather. A dissolu-
ton of our co-partRership is imminent.
One of us must drop out, and the future
policy Of the paper will depend upon that
change. have "A man in view who IL con
sidering the ACCESSIBILITY oil purchasing the
interest of Mr., s. II he does you may rest
| assured that the Democrat will continue in
the policy we hsve so far followed. The
new member os the firm will not he "A liter
airy man in AMY sense al The word, hut lie
.would furnish. nAssterial for most ri the edi-
torial columns, III IA local nature, as he
has done in the past. Ia that event, We
shall expert from yon the continuance OF
The same liberafity that you have extended
to us in the past. Mr.. :. made "A trip to
the Falls a short time ago for the express
purpose of seeing You and counreling upon
the matters of which | have written. but,
unfortunately. he found that you were
away. Please give us the benefit oil your
advice in the present emergency.
When | began. ! intended To write of sew
eral other things, but as my letter is al
ready long, | shall be Obliged tn reserve
l other matters until another time.
Your devoted admirer,
l I. L. l.