Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-04-15
NEED OF COUNTRY.
TRIuMPH OF DEMOCRATIC PRIN.
cIPLEs IS IMPERATIVE.
THE MAN AND THE HOUR
With tho Nomination Of John A. John
son, Progressive Democrat Of In
teerity, Ability and Achieve
ment, Success is Assured. !.

ing which time the party has lost ma
tional political control Of every north
ern state and has witnessed devastat-
ing inroads even on the southern
states, hundreds of thousands of Dem
ocratic voters have in the last few
months asked who is the man who
can lead the party TO victory"
The best of armies, military or po-
litical, require some measure OF sue
cess to maintain their spirit and ef-
ficiency. Continuous and overwhelm-
ing defeat even in the worthiest OF
causes, disheartens the strongest men.
Conditions are such in this year
1908, that united Democracy, sup
porting strong presidential nominee,
can win the presidential office and
open the way for return Of the Demo
cratic party to power. Not only do
the best interests Of the Democratic
party call for victory this year, but
so also do the best interests of the ma
ton Twelve years of almost unop-
posed government of the republic by
one party, and for eight of those years
practically by one man, have brought
about conditions that are repugnant
to the efficient and satisfactory adj
ministration OF government sup
posedly of the people
Principle with Victory.
Victory can be achieved this year,
without sacrificing one iota OF the
stand for principle that has been made
with SO much sacrifice by the Demo.
cratic party of the United States for
the last dozen years 1t is merely q
question of changing leadership. Three
times in succession our party has gone
to defeat, because it's leadership has
not been able to inspire confidence in
the masses Of the voters, patriotic,
progressive and sincere as that leader
ship has unquestionably been. The
party is greater than its individual
membership and greater than its lead
erS. The time has come when 1t
should name Its leader in presidp1-
tial campaign and no longer permit it.
self to be defeated by sentimental,
though heroic, devotion to great
name that has dominated 1t for q
dozen years.
II in the ranks Of the party there Is
man whose principles, whose party
fealty, whose success in political bat
ties, whose actual achievements in
legislation and statesmanship-and a
man holding a commanding political
situation-are such that victory under
his leadership is indicated, is it not
the duty of reasonable, thoughtful, de-
voted Democrats, desiring the success
of their party, to turn to him?
johnson the Man.
The friends of Gov John A. Johnson
of Minnesota, who have watched his
remarkable career in recent years. a.
well as impartial observers and jour-
aalists throughout the country, believe
that he is the man of the hour, the
man in every way equipped to make a
successful campaign, and afterward
to be chief executive Of the highest
order. Let US briefly review his career.
John A. Johnson was born In st.
Peter, Nicollet county, Minnesota,
July 2S, 1851, Of Swedish parents. His
childhood and youth were passed in
great poverty. At 13 years of age, he
was compelled to leave the public
schools of his native city, in order to
support himself and the parental fam
lily. Though his formal education was
thus early cut short, his self-education
never stopped A student at all times,
q wide reader and q thoughtful one,
Mr. Johnson, after some years of OBJ
scure toll az drug and grocery clerk
and railway time-keeper, became at
the age of "a editor of the St. Peter
Herald. He soon became known as
one OF the ablest Of Minnesota jour
nalists and was recognized as one OF
the leaders of journalism In state re-
markable for the number, vigor and In
fluence of its periodical press. vs. a
country editor, he was gradually drawn
into politics and In 1898 was elected
a member of the senate Of the Mime
sofa legislature, and his first public po-
litical work was as member Of that
body. From the first, he was identi-
| fed with various reform measures,
which have since become law in Min
nescta
Wherever Gov. Johnson has gone,
he has impressed men as being man
Of the Lincoln type. He has the fac
ulty OF making many friends and few
enemies,
| Gov. Johnson's Legislative Results.
The governor recommended a. per
I manent tax commission. The legis-
I lature gave 1t to him and the ink was
hardly dry on the document before he
appointed commission 50 strong In
/ its personnel that the Republican sen
ate resolved by rising vote n con.
/ Arm the appointments without delay,
while the equally Republican house
though without the power Of confirma
ton, expressed BY rising vote its ap
probation Of the excellence Of the GOV
errors appointments.
In northern Minnesota are the great
est iron orc fields IA the world. The
state of Minnesota owns extensive
areas 81 these lands BY leases they
were largely Ia the hands az the Unit
- cfafna GfnA1 r.0rnnpntfam ana tkn