The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1908-05-16

Wearied of twelve years of 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 victoryT
The best Of 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 IN this year, 1908
that = united Democracy supporting 4
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. 1t is merely
question Of changing leadership. Three
times in succession our party has gone
to defeat because its 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 it's 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 be
defeated by q sentimental, though he
roic, devotion to great name that has
dominated it for dozen years.
If in the ranks Of the party there is
a man whose principles, whose party
fealty, whose success in political bat
ties, whose actual achievements in
Legislation and statesmanship-and
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?
I johnson the Man.
: The friends of Governor John A.
johnson Of Minnesota. who have
watched his remarkable career in re-
cent years, as well as impartial OBJ
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 afterward to be a chief executive
Of the highest order. Let us briefly re-
view his career.
Il John A. johnson was born in st.
Peter, Nicollet county. MINI, July %,
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
ny. Though his formal education was
thus early cut short, his self education
never stopped. a student at all times,
Z wide reader and q thoughtful one,
Mr.. johnson, after some years Of OBJ
scure toll as q drug and grocery clerk
and railway timekeeper, became at the
age Of twenty-four editor Of the st. Pc
~ Haral y. He soon became known
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