The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1909-10-04
GRIND OF JUSTICE

Not very many years ago young
newspaper editor of Minnesota wrote
an appeal TO a great Chiesgo newspa-
pei protesting against the tendency
of the Chicago newspaper to always
link itself with the interests east OF
the Mississippi river. In most in
stances the section east Of the Appala-
chain mountain range.
Perhaps the letter OF protest was
not in the purest of English There
might have been amateurishness
shown in each paragraph. but II
smacked of authorship by man who
studied hard and sought to master
his subject.
The Chicago newspaper made the
letter subject for an outburst of sar
cssm, satire and ridicule that burn
ed deep into the soul of the writer.
The letter writer was the late la
mented Governor John A. Johnson
whom all Americans mourn.
The newspaper was owned by John
r. Walsh, now feeble and aged and
his finances gone. staggering forward.
his friends praying that merciful
death will come before he hgs to be
confined as felon for wrecking a
bank.
The master of sarcasm and satire
was Martin j. Russell. now long dead
He was the great editor whose utter
ances scared the soul--his assistant
Seymour. master Of English.
All are of the the past. save Sey-
nious. now a managing editor down
East
But less than month prior TO his
death. John A. Johnson, out west of
the Rocky mountains, vouced his pro
Test against legislative favoritism for
the people east of the Mississippi
iriver--the world listened to his mes
saga President hastened to change
the tenor of his speeches and assure
the West heiis and has always heen
its friend
Il is The old Old. ever interesting
story Walsh giant Of commerce lat
heart not bad mani was mad man,
driving ever to be political and finan.
icial master OF the great territory sur
rounding Chicago. the inalnd empire
city of all the world.
His newspaper was run to promote
his mighty projects: his writer's Sc.
/ lected because they had talent extra
ordinary; had long been cynlcs mas
tered the world as thev knew il and
respected not those who did not 60
along as a part OF a regime happy ii
n the lead silent If crushed by force
OF others.
Johnson was not of their mold.
leers after their records are known
tc but he professional few, the doc
trines OF Johnson will be the doc
trines OF the millions; the school
boys will sing stories OF his achieve.
ments. an hundred OF millions OF peo.
nle between the Pacific ocean and the
Mississippi river will sing hosannas to
bis name cs the father of the move
ment % make the great West take
It's rightful place in National affairs
Sarcasm could not connucr his spir
II ri1icule only caused him 10 make
greater effort TO overcome his fail
lnes ana success also only added Id
the courage and purpose of the coun
Try editor who drove the chariot OF
common hono,v and sober nurnose
through the net OF boss noliticians
'EPud across he hacks of those who
sought only sordid gain.
10 the less than half century IN
~'hich-he uved. John A. Johnson wrote
sis name across the scroll OF immor
Nltal fame. aud performed more actual
foats. for the good Of humankind 'har
env nan Who, has So far come on Of
tfe Great AmAican Northwest