The Ronan pioneer., 1917-10-26
PIONEER ED0T0R WHO ESCAPED DUEL with GENERAL
M0LDED SENTIMENT AND PRINTED NEWS UNDER TILES

0V0 "
Fifty years ago, in the spring OF
1857, Henry N. Blake, editor of the
Montana Post, the pioneer in terri
torial journalism, scored the first
newspaper victory in fight for lib
erty and justice, and against uncon-
stitutional government. 1t followed
a controversy that had lasted for
more than two years, and while the
battle was marked by lack of COM
ment and an absence of hot and in
flammable articles it had it's stirring
incidents, one of which nearly re-
suited in duel between the editor
and the acting governor, General
Thomas Francis Meagher.
In those exciting days the editorial
pen welded an influence that has not
been surpassed in Treasure State
Journalism. The opinions of the
newspaper publisher carried great
weight and We're more carefully
read by the pioneers than were other
departments of the weekly press. So
in the establishment of law and order
and in laying the foundation for
great commonwealth, the influence
OF the press was most important.
Largely through the influence of
TINS pioneer newspaper, congress re-
pudiated the acts of the first two ses-
sions of the territorial legislature and
gave to the people of Montana fair
and equitable representation in the
legislative halls.
No Apportionment Made.
The victory was scored in a fight
that commenced almost with the first
issue of The Post, which was estab-
lished by John Buchanan in Virginia
City, August q, 1864. 1t was car
ried on in behalf of justice by the
late Thomas j. Dimsdale, it's first
editor, and by Judge Blake, who sue
ceeded him, and marked a climax to
the latter's journalistic career in the
year that he forsook newspaper work
to join the disciples of Blackstone in
the practice of law.
There were no partisan editorials |
in The Post during the campaign of |
1866, as most of the republicans of !
the territory (The Post being repub-
llcan in it's beliefs and a strong sup
porter of the national government)
refralned from voting, as the result |
OF a controversy that had arisen re-
garding the legality of the first two |
sessions of the territorial assembly. |
The first legislative assembly fail
ed to pass law for the apportion-
ment of the territory, as required by
the organic act. Republicans con-
tended, position that was upheld by
The Post, that no valid election for
the choice of members of the legisla-
ture could be held until congress
provided a remedy. At first this
view was taken by General Meagher,
who published a letter endorsing it.
Later he changed his mind, and as p
result he came in for caustic critic
ism at the hands of the pioneer
editor.
Meagher Wanted to Fight.
The governor, who was quick of
temper and willing to back up his
opinions at all times, took exceptions
TO some of the caustic utterances of ]
Blake and the republican speakers,
who made him the target for their
lights of oratory. The situation OBJ
'cured all other matters in that elec-
ion.
Spurred to the quick by his op-
the noted cavalry leader
wanted to enforce his opinions with
:old steel and he sent challenge to
light a duel to Blake. For WI -
t looked as if blood might be 81, i,
'ut there was another demonst, alton
hat the pen is mightier than the
word, and after handling the situa
ion in very diplomatic manner, t
Blake was able to calm the temper e
# his opponent and later the two S
'ecame fast friends. This was v
about largely by the fact F
hat both had seen service together t
n the Army of the Potomac. Il
Both the governor and Blake were
depts with the sword and the pistol, t
nd had there been Il meeting the .
esult would most certainly have g
cen fatal for one of them. This d
act caused considerable alarm to n
heir friends, who aided in bringing "
bout reconciliation. That neither tt
ne governor or the editor held any D
toward the other very long il
'as shown in May of the same year, O
fter congress had passed an act up ii
olding the views of The Post and