Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1894-05-19
Swensson to LeweIIing.

The following letter from On. Swens
son, president of Bethany college a
Lindsborg. in MCPHERSON county, is
model of strong, pathetic and correc
statements OF the character of populisn
and its influence upon Kansas.
Bethany college, of which DR.. Swens
son is the head, is the principal Swedish
Lutheran college in the United States
and Dr.. Swensson's position therein is {
fair measurement of the character, at
tainments and influence of the man.
LINDsBoRG, KAN, April 25, 1894.
Hon. L. d. Leweliing
HoN. AND DEAR SIR:-On my return
from the east 1 found the following let
ter on my desk:
| Ny DEAR PRoF. 81 have taken the liber
| ty to put your name on the subscription lis
! for the Ottawa journal, which regard as ONT
of the best populist papers in the state
| trust you will find it most interesting anC
| profitable. Yours very truly,
L. d. LEwELLNG, Governor.
In reply I would say that I must ash
you to take my name from the subscrip.
ton list of the paper mentioned by you
1 do this for the following reasons:
First-I do not believe that you are
within your proper bounds as governor
of Kansas in making yourself personal
ly peddler of partisan newspapers. l
look upon the highest Office in the gift
of the people of Kansas as much too
dignifed for such transactions.
Second-In the second place 1 must
say that am not unacquainted with
the Ottawa Journal. In my opinion it
is one of the most dangerous sheets that
can think of. 1t has published utter
ances which. in my opinion, are as an
archistic as any that have come under
my observation anywhere. The lam
guage used by this sheet is of such a
character that I could not think Of
bringing the paper into the family cir
Gle. need only to call your attention
to the issue of April II, which see on
my desk this morning. What do you
say of paper that prints common, SIM
pie street profanity on its front page,
and in which the words ''lie' and "liars,"
with many opprobrious epithets added,
seem to be favorite expressions with the
editor? Let NE quote you in full one
of the utterances of the paper:
''The records show that God never
breathed life into the nostrils of more
glded band of election scoundrels than
the republican politicians of Kansas.
There is no infamy too great, no PERU
ry too scarlet, no deed too criminal for
republicans to practice to capture the
public Offices"
Now, dear governor, I happen toknow
some of the republicans of Kansas, and
[ shall never consent to be party to
the circulation of newspapers speaking
in the above manner of some of the
best, noblest and most patriotic citizens
Of this entire bright land of ours.
The tone and language of the paper
in general is such that it is not Sit, in
nv opinion, to be read by intelligent !
and pure minded people, and am only
acting in accordance with the dictates
of common sense in refusing to read it.
Third-From the knowledge have of
the Ottawa Journal I look upon it as a !
direct enemy OF the Christian religion. !
1t is written in a spirit, is using lam
guage and is publishing expressions
which stand in glazing conflict with the
gospel of Christ. ! believe that the Cos
pei of Christ is the salvation of the
world, and therefore also of Kansas; and
rs any influence that the Ottawa Jour
lal may exercise must of necessity be of
/ negative character in regard to the
'ondest hopes of myself as Christian
gentleman, do not want it in nv mail.
Fourth have ample opportunities
or knowing, through nv large acquaint-
lnce, and many trips east and west,
what terrible calamity to our state the
of your political party was.
The plague of grasshoppers and
thoughts cannot be compared to the dis
lsters that have been heaped upon our
-oung, noble state, by the doctrines and
and public and private ut
erances of yourself and other leaders of
our party. There was time when
itizen of Kansas could mention his home
tate with pride anywhere, east or west
IT in Europe, but at present we are,
through the instrumentality of your
party, the laughing stock of the entire
Intelligent world. It is only because
hose, who are able to see below the
urface, understand that your remain
ng in power will be brief, that our
tate to-day enjoys any standing what
yer. in the intelligent and commercial
World.
Fifth-The paper you offer to send
ne seems to be, more than any other,
he official mouth piece of your admins
ration. This is another reason why
annot allow you to place my name on
is subscription list. In nv opinion Kan
as has never had so unpatriotic state
administration as yours. Your connec-
ion with the troubles of the last legisla-
ure, your repeated vacillating and un-
manly performances, and your open
Gaming towards socialism and anarch-
SIN, your seeming unwilling obedience
o the supreme court, your careless heap
ng of unnecessary expenses on the peo-
lie, your selection of eminently unfit
.ersons for high Office, and your appar-
Mt GOODNESS to the temperance laws,
ave made your administration, in my
pinion, blot not so easily eradicated
= L