The Irish standard., 1909-09-25

knowledge by self-study which he ar
erwards utilized in public life. He de-
veloped his intellectual faculties as
a journalist and verified the truth VI
the saying that Legislator. great do
baters, scientific men," have emerged
from the printing offices Of the land.
The fact was Illustrated in a coMS
spicuous degree in the career of Gov
ernor Johnson. Though not a genius
or a man Of great intellect he was big
enough to fill the position Of governor
of Minnesota to the satisfaction of
the people, irrespective of party pre-
elections. He was really and truly
Minnesota's favorite son. His mental
growth and development kept pace
with his personal popularity, and II
he had desired fourth term as gov
ernor of a rock ribbed Republican
state, it 10 almost certain he would
have succeeded in his aspirations.
Though John A. Johnson was not, IN
our opinion, the greatest man OF tnS
Scandinavian race in Minnesota DIT
the time Of his death, yet il his lite
had been prolonged he would have
reached a more lofty eminence. That
he was mentally expanding was visi-
BILE in his public addresses. His OPP
ening speech of the gubernatorial
campaign of last year displayed much
ability and political sagacity, and his
opponent was unable to reply to his
arguments effectively. His famous
address Mt the University of Pennsyl-
vania took the east by surprise, and
his grafton on the battlefield Of Shi-
lob added to his reputation as n
speaker. His last public utterance az
the Seattle exposition attracted the
attention of President Taft and be-
fore q sympathetic Boston audience
the chief executive deprecated the
sentiments expressed therein. But
what Governor Johnson said deserved
no censure from the president of tina
United States as the following ex-
tract will show:
1T is time that the west throw of
the shackles of the east. I would
preach no sectional divisions and no
sectional strifes, but Minnesota and
Washington and the states between
them, with those to the south of US,
should rise in their might and claim
Tor themselves that fair share Of in
nuence In the halls of congress AMI
IN the administration of national ar.
1airs to which they are entitled hv
every law of common sense as wall
as or political economy"
These words will not be forgotten
for years to come Governor John
son was justified in resentinr tho
domination of New England in flnan-
cial and industrial legislation, Presi-
dent Taft had not just cause for ac-
cusing the dead governor of stirring
up sectional strife after the latter had
declared that he had no intention Of
doing so. But President Taft after
wards made amends for his hasty
criticism and declared that though he
and Governor johnson differed politi-
cally, they agreed on a great MANY
subjects
The state Of Minnesota has lost an
eminent and beloved son in the death
of Governor Johnson at the age Of 4S.
He was esteemed and honored not
only at home but in all sections Of
the country. That he would have kept
In the public eye as a national figure,
had his life been spared, there is no
doubt. The prediction of his future
by the nations chief magistrate AMI
the executives Of leading states is no
idle compliment nor merely formal
courtesy on hearing the sad news Of
his untimely demise. He held 81
lofty position and was the cynosure
to which the eyes of his countrymen
were directed. We deplore his de.
pArture to the world beyond, and pray
that his pure and gentle spirit may
ind everlasting peace.