Fergus County Democrat., 1909-09-28
Notice to Subscribers.
JOHN A. JOHNSON.

Americans was called from life Of
activity yesterday morning. In the
prime of his usefulness. lust on the
threshold of ripe years that held un-
bounded promise of public service and
of public trust, commanding the re-
spect of the nation for the sterling
fidelity that had marked all his rec
ord, rendered its hopes for greater
recognition and greater achievement,
Governor Johnson was comparatively
a young man when he was attacked
by fatal illness, and it is hard to
realize that his place in the foremost
ranks of America has been won in the
time Of one administration.
His sudden rise to fame is striking
~ suggestive of President Lincoln's
history. Both men were almost OBJ
scure when opportunity came, but
both were ready for the call, and
their official histories show that all
the years of toll had been matchless
training for sturdy Americans in the
service of the nation.
Both were reared in scenes OF pov-
erty on the frontier, had to struggle
for education, and wrested mastery
from the discouragements in the path
to learning. 1t is a bitter school,
but there is none to equal it when the
pupils are of such sterling character,
and when they are encouraged in
their ambitions by mothers such as
those to whom Abraham Lincoln and
John A. Johnson have paid their
tribute of honor.
Men whose early years are lived in
such surroundings acquire a mar
velous judgment of men, and Gov.
Johnson was noted as student and
an admirer of character. Ready wit
and sound judgment are fostered by
the friendly association with common
people such as he sought in the little
Minnesota town where he made his
home. Little is known of it in re-
mote states, save that it was the home
of a man whom all the nation ad-
mired, but it must have many of the
characteristics of frontier Illinois
capital city in the days that are now
being revived in story. Governor
Johnson showed a rich sympathy fo1
the common people of whom Lincoln
said, "God must love them, or he
wouldn't have made so many o.
them" The little town of St. Pete,
has reason, even in its sorrow, to BIZ
proud, not only of its citizens
triumphs, but of the further fact tina
in its environment he worked out the
straight way to triumph.
Not only the strength of purpose
the loyalty to convictier, and the sin
cerity of appeal that marked the typ
cal American among all the president:
were to be found in the Minnesot;
executive, but his gentleness of con
sideration and his frank courtesy wer,
of the same marked distinction. On
of the most touching incidents O
recent years was the graceful thought
fulness of Governor Johnson, whe
on his deathbed he remembered tn
courtesies of the comm onwealth dr,
Ito the country's president, and dicta
ed simple message that touched til
big heart of the chief executive a
no other honor paid him could d,
Probably the last official act of til
governor, it was wonderfully grac,
ful close for a career that is III
challenged in its ideals.
What further years might hay
brought Mr.. Johnson can only
conjectured. He might have SUI
ceeded to the seat once held by II
man to whose life his own furnish
so many parallels; and the splend
equipment wrested from adversi
through patient years of preparatit
would have made him another Ii
coin in his purposes and his loyal
to his land, whether or not he we
forced to face such soul-trying cris
But not to establish him in the estee
OF the world was any further reco
needed. He has done a great wo
well, and the regret at his untime
death is not due to any work left u
finished, but to the loss of one rea
to. undertake new work and to
unfalterihg in accomplishment of wi
was given him.
in courage and sincerit,,-, persev,
ance and ambition. loyalty and chiv
rous devotion-aie was the highest ty
of man. and it is for his own sterli