Bismarck daily tribune., 1912-01-02
"GOOD-BY, JIM; TAKE kEER O
YOURSELF"

-.4.YoURsELF."
James w. Foley, North Dakota S
poet, leaves tonight for winters So
iourn in that land of eternal sunshine
and rest-southern California. Last
night "Jim'' was Bismarck's guest OF
honor; at the banquet board the gath
ering was as cosmopolitan, as repre-
sentative as any community could put
forth; the clergy and the layman, tine
politician, the business man, the pro-
fessional man, judges of the supreme
court, army officers, in fact citizens
from every walk of life were there to
attest their friendship, their respect
and admiration for James Foley as a
citizen-to pay homage to his genius,
his ability, his well-earned rank in the
world Of letters.
The writer was especially impressed
with the spirit Of comradeship, good
fellowship and good-citizenship which
was manifest throughout the evening"
and the sweet sentiment, the high re-
gard and almost reverent respect OF
the speakers when referring to Mr..
Foley and his work.
AS citizens Of North Dakota, we are
proud of every man, who by the no.
bility Of his nature or the majesty OF
his intellect, has added one jot or
title to the fame of this fair state;
and we are indeed proud of James w.
Foley. for has he not in sweet verse
and rhythm sung into the hearts OF
men throughout the length and
breadth Of the land, the beauties or
every hilltop upon which the morning
breaks, every vale that cradles the
evening shadows and every stream
that laughs back the image Of the sun
in the land of the Dacotahs. 1t Is
James Foley who has pictured North
Dakota homeIife from the days OF
the sturdy pioneer to this day of prog
ress and development; he has painted
with the true artists touch the beau
ties of her prairies and the freedom Of
:her plains; it is James Foley OF North
Dakota who has sung into the hearts
of men a courage to do right; he has
found the true ring in childhood's
happy laugh and through his poems
has breathed into life itself a sweet
confidence that will linger long after
the writer has passed away.
1T is not the intention Of the writer
to ~eulogize James w. Foley; no word
that We might say here would add to
or detract one iota from the place The
has attained through his writings.
And yet we cannot refrain from a
slight expression Of the sentiment that
prevails in the heart Of every loyal
North Ma;kotan who knows and loves
.:Itni'' Foley, this North Dakota boy
who has won recognition in the world
Of letters-a place among the fore
most writer's Of the day.
I'm responding to the toasts of his
friends last night, Mr.. Foley touched
the heart of every listener with his
sincerity and his appreciation of their
loyalty to him which found expression
in the gathering to wish him God
speed" on the eve of his journey. And
Jim's loyalty in return was indeed
appreciated when he said: mo mat
ter whittier my feet may wander
no matter where my future work may
take mel will always be James w.
Foley of Bismarck, North Dakota"
1t is our earnest wish that Jim will
find the rest he has so well earned,
and that his sojourn in California
will but better fit him for the future
which promises 50 much for him.
We can think of no better phrase
in expressing our sentiments at this
time than the closing lines of James
Whitcomb Riley's "Jim." As the old
man watches his boy "Jim" swing into
line with the volunteers he knows he
ds fit to do battle with any foe
knows that he will make good; and
wiping a tear from his eye, the old
man says never a word about his own
feelings at this parting; he speeds
the boy ON his way with simple
'Good-by, Jim; take keer O. yourself"
THE YEARS BUSINESS.
As we enter the threshold Of a new
year it is appropriate that We glance