Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1908-04-29
NEED 0F COUNTRY,
Triumph of Democratic Principles
 Is Imperative.
THE MAN AND THE HOUR.
With the Nomination of John A. John son, Progressive Democrat of integ- ritv. Ability and Achievement, Sue cess Is Assured.

son, Progressive DeHoCTdt o' '"tS9
 rity, Ability and Achievement, Sue.
 cess Is Assured.
 Wearied Of twelve years of over vhelming defeat in national elections, during which time the party has lost national political control of every northern state and has witnessed dev- astatin. inroads even on the southern states, hundreds of thousands of Dem < ocratic voters have in the last few months asked. "Wllo is the man who can lead the party to victory:'
 The best of armies, military or polit- ;caI. require some measure of success to maintain their spirit and efficiency. Continuous and overwhelming defeat even in the Worthiest of causes dis heartens tie strongest men.
 Conditions are such in this year 1908 that united Democracy supporting a strong presidential nominee can win the presidential office and open the way for a return of the Democratic party to power. Not only do the best interests of the Democratic party call for a victory this year, but so also do the best interests of the nation. Twelve years of almost unopposed 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 administration of a gov ernment supposedly 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. It is merely a 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 tie voters, patriotic, progressive and sincere as that leader ship has unquestionably been. The party is greater than it's individual membership and greater than it's lead CTS. The time has come when it should name it's leader ill Il presidential cam paign and no longer permit itself to be defeated b! Il sentimental, though he- roic, devotion to q great name that has dominated it for q dozen years.
 If in the ranks uf the party there is man whose principles, whose party fcalty, whose success in political bat ties, whose actual achievements in legislation and Statcsmanship-and man holding a commanding political situation-are such that victory under D his leadership is indicated, is il not the duty of reasonable. thoughtful, de voted Democrats desiring the success of their party to turn to him?
 Johnson the Man.
 The fricn,A of Governor John A. Johnson of Minnesota who have watched his remarkable career ill rc- cent years, as well as impartial ob servers and journalists throughout the country, believe that he is the man Of the hour. the man in every way equip ped to make successful campaign and aftcrward to be a chief executive of the highest order. Let us briefly re- view his career.
 John A. Johnson was born in St Peter, Nicollet county, Minn.. July 2S 1861, of Swedish parents. His child hood and youth were passed in great poverty. At thirteen years of age he was compelled to leave the public schools of his native city in order to support himself and the parental fam fly. Though his formal education was thus early cut short, his self education never stopped. A student at all times. a wide reader and a thoughtful one. MT. Johnson, after some years of ob- scure toll as q drug and grocery clerk and railway timekeeper became at the age of twenty-four editor of the St. Pc ter 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 ln- huence of it's periodical press. As a country editor he was gradually drawn into politics and in 1898 was elected member of the senate of the Mime sota legislature, and his first public po- litical work was as member of that body. From the first he was ldcntlned with various reform measures which have since become law in Minnesota.
 Wherever Governor Johnson has gone he has impressed men as being d man of the Lincoln type He has the faculty of making many friends and few enemies
 Governor Johnson's Legislative Results
 The governor recommended per manent tax commission. The legisla- ture gave it to him. and the ink was hardly dry on the document before he appointed a commission 50 strong ill it's personnel that the Republican sen- ate resolved by q rising vote to con firm the appointments without delay, while the equally Republican house. though without the power of confirma- tion. expressed by a rising vote it's ap- DreciatiOn of the excellence of the gov