The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-05-18
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Cowan impeachment case before the
senate or the state OF North Dakota
has come to close, and with = ter
mination that Is gratifying TO the com-
munity at large. we, OF the Second
Judicial district, who have lived with
Judge Cowan have never ait any time
believed him guilty Of the various
charges laid ait his door. In fact the
charges have been so ridiculous, and
we might add, rotten we have needed
control over righteous indignation.
The whole affair has been one OF a
Persecution, rather than prosecution.
Mountains have been made of mole
hills Personal spite and venom has
been paramount. The noble state OF
North Dakota has been led into a lime
light far from being desirable. While
posing as a prohibition and otherwise
law abiding state, the public have been
led to believe that our judicial benches
are far from being filled with men
consistent with such policies. Unwill-
| Ing senators have been Willing away
valuable time, against their will.
many unable to withhold their disgust
with the whole proceedings The state
treasury has been called upon to nav
an enormous bill for one OF the greatest
pieces OF folly that was ever forced
upon an innocent taxpayer. A few
lawyers have sprung into prominence
by their oratory. Men have perjured
themselves upon the witness stand.
neighbors have become estranged and
friendships of years have been broken.
And what has been the result of ali
this. Firstly, the character of an hon.
orable and upright man has been be-
smlrched and dragged into a mire OF
NTH and vituperati0n. A man who
has come into the state at an early
date, has suffered its hardships in
the making. One who has ever been
factor in the promotion of its best
welfare. A good citizen, an able law
Yer and jurist, and above all. a man
toward his fellow men. All of these
qualities were lost sight of by the
pack who have been at his heels. hun-
cry in their thirst for carrion. And
who has been behind this prosecution?
Petty demagogues and interests with
the usual FAX to grind" Reformers
who have not sought to reform. but
seekers for revenge self aggrandize-
ment, and personal gains. Using
ton that is capable only of the vicious
and cunning. Stunning the open in
their methods. but rather picking from
the daily events of mans life, and
az rare intervals, such incidents that
would lead the public to believe that
reformation was necessary. Realizing
mat the public are prone to accept
these facts from their very sensation
alism, and forget the honest daily
deeds. In keeping with the immutable
law Of the universe that right will
prevail, Judge Cowan has emerged
from this slough of rottenness' vindi-
Gated on every hand. and back at
home among his friends an honored
and loved man. His friends have null
tiplied, his enemies humbled and not
being able to feed on husks.
The impeachment proceedings were
unprecedented in the history of the
state, and viii prove a valuable future |
lesson. 1t is safe to say that here
after no man or set of men will ever
carry on such another course as has
just taken place. Because men are
ambitious politically. or because ven
geance rankles in some unclean heart.
the people as a whole should not suffer. |
1t Is such facts as these that purify |
politics, and the community. The per |
secution sink in their own mire. leav- |
ing naught but a stencil for a short /
time behind them 1t is but the rebe- /
tition OF history since the time of man.
Judge Cowan can afford to be gem
erous, for it is in keeping with his /
noble character. His grievance has
been great. his cup filled to the brim /
with a bitter draught, and resentment |
must at times battle within his in
nermost feelings Yet. exempIifying
the master, he forgets those that smite
him, and extends his hand in char
ity and good-fellowship toward all. It /
is indeed a great character that can
rise at such a time to these heights.
His return to the bench will be marked
by no procession. where stories of the
fray win be elaborated upon, or plans
of retaliation agreed upon. This has
been but a brief recess, a trial by fire
and not found wanting, and the life
work taken up where ii had been left
eff. Greater lives than these cannot
be. His past life. and the future, be-
fore him, we have his assurances. will
be the same even tenor of it's way.
! The Judge cannot but feel grained
at the response made by his friends
in the time of need. 1t will be his
endeavor to so conduct himself at all
times, to fully warrant their efforts.
and his appreciation made upon the
roll Of time. Peace has sprung out
Of chaos, and time will only record
pleasant memories.
The Enterprise extends to Mr.. Cow
an its congratulations, and wish him
many prosperous years in judicial life
In this district.
Plaza Pioneer: The Grand Forks
Herald. the organ of the rule or ruin
policies of Geo. Winship. now asserts
that Cowan was whitewashed. They
We're against him and through their
influence tried to influence senators to
vote as they wanted them to without
regard to the evidence; they wanted
Judge Cowan convicted and annihiiat-
ed. such was their bitterness and vim
dtcativeness. Now that this high court
of impeachment, that heard all the
evidence has voted that the Judge was
not guilty Of any offense and that he
was a At man 10 be the district Judge
of the Second Judicial district, they
come out with the cry of ''whitewash''
and wish TO make the people Of the
state believe that the senators were
not honest, they were mistaken. Such
anarchistic utterances should be ST.
enra1 hv the roffFf. M v,oraar ~ho.,tl