West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1908-05-07
NEED OF COUNTRY.
Triumph of Democratic Principles
Is Imperative.
THE MAN AND THE HOUR.
With the Nomination of John A. John.
son, Progressive Democrat Of intes-
rity, Ability and Achievement, Sue
cess Is Assured.

With the Nomination of John A. John.
son, Progressive Democrat Of Inteq-
rity, Ability and Achievement, Sue
cess Is Assured.
Wearied OF twelve years or over
whelming defeat in national elections.
during which time the party has lost
national political control OF every
northern state and has witnessed dev-
astating 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 or armies. military or polit-
ical. require some measure OF success
to maintain their spirit and efficiency.
Continuous and overwhelming defeat
even In the worthiest OF causes dis
heartens the strongest men.
Conditions are such I'm this year loOs
that a united Democracy supporting n
strong presidential nominee can win
the presidential office and open tho
way for a return OF the Democratic
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 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 or gov.
eminent supposedly of the people.
Principle With Victory.
Victory can be achieved this year
without sacrificing one iota OF the
stand for principle that Inns been made
with so much sacrifice by the Demo
cratic party OF the United States for
the last dozen years. 1t is merely n
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 It's lead
ers. The time has come when It should
name its leader in presidential cam
paign and no longer permit itself TO he
defeated by sentimental. though he
roic, devotion TO great name that has
dominated it for dozen years.
If In the ranks OF the party there Is
man whose principles. whose party
fealty, whose success I'm political bat
ties, whose actual achievements I'm
legislation and statesmanshlp-and n
man holding n commanding political
situation-are such that victory under
his leadership is indicated. Is II 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 Governor John 4.
Johnson OF Minnesota, who have
watched his remarkable career I'm re-
cent years. as we'll as impartial oh.
servers and journalists throughout the
country, believe that he is the man OF
the hour, the man in every way equip
ped to make n successful campaign
and afterward to be chief executive
OF the highest order Let us briefly re-
view his career
John A. Johnson was born In st.
Peter, Nicollet county, Mimi, July 2S,
1851, 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.
lily Though his formal education was
thus early cut short, his self education
never stopped. a student ut all times,
wide reader and thoughtful one.
Mr.. Johnson, after some years OF OBJ
scure toll as n 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
nallsts and was recognized as one of
the leaders Of journalism I'm a state re-
markable for the number. vigor and in
huence OF its periodical press. AS a
country editor he was gradually drawn
into politics and I'm 1898 was elected
member of the senate of the Mime
sofa legislature. and his first public POI
litical work was as a member OF that
body. From the first he was identified
with various reform measures which
have since become law I'm Minnesota.
Wherever Governor johnson has
gone he has impressed men as being n
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 n commission so strong I'm
It's personnel that the Republican sem
ate resolved by n rising vote to con-
firm the appointments without delay,
while the equally Republican house,
though without the power OF confrma.
ton, expressed by a rising vote its ap-
probation Of the excellence Of the gov.
ernor's appointments.
In northern Minnesota are the great.
est iron ore fields I'm the world The
state Of Minnesota owns extensive
| areas OF these lands by leases they
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