The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1918-06-20
MAJOR MURPHY WRITES
OF n. D. POLITICS
Old Time Resident, on Death Bed
Finds Time to Send Last Words
of Farewell to Old Time Friends
Jokes About White Horse
and Its Rider.

Minneapolis, Mimi, June II, 1918.
My Friend Colcord:
I read with much appreciation your
well thought out editorial of last week,
advocating the denomination of Con-
gresham Norton. In this connection
it affords me pleasure to state that
during the l6 years you have guided
the destinies Of the Independent you
have invariably advocated those men
and measures whose success would
make fir legitimate reform and give
every man fair deal.
Realizing this disposition for fair
ness, it is easy to see why the indie
pendent IS per Sc the most infuen-
tial weekly published in North Dako-
ia.
1t would be a real calamity to the
district not to re-elect Norton at this
time. In every respect Congressman
Norton measures we'll above the stan
dard-in training along right lines, in
education, Che is a graduate of our
University, in a thorough knowledge
of our people-their chronological and
racial diversities, in practical exper-
ience-he was raised on North Da-
kota farm and has lived in the state
virtually during his life time. In out
standing ability, in age, in short in
every attribute making up the ideal
congressman Mr.. Norton more than
fills the bill.
Few cngressmen can point to a
record as faultless during his six
years ,incumbency. From the begin
ming he has been a positive force for
efficient service, he has never hesitat-
ed at the performance Of what duty
lay before him, or the fear of what
might be the political consequences to
himself. When he has anything to
say he has not minced words, or
sought to trim his political sails, if he
did he likely would not now be oppos-
ed by the political bolsheviki of North
Dakota. At all times Mr.. Norton has
been fearless, plain spoken and
prompt to act. A review of his rec
ord since the war began, at all times
and on every vote, shows that he has
in contradistinction to many others
the glow Of his true Amer-
icanism by that calm judgment, fine
common senseAnd splendid patriotism
we so admire in our public servants.
Mr. Norton's militant loyalty is as
clear as crystal. His opponent in the
primaries certainly showed a woeful
lack of principle and loyalty-a Dem
ocrat all his life and still Democrat
seeking Republican nomination.
Nor should any sound hearted Amer
lean forget that the overshadowing
issue of this year is loyalty to the ma
ton. Any atta',pt to divide the peo-
pie, to becloud the issue, to set group
against group and class against class
to hamper the nation should be
looked upon as treason.
The "But" loyalty of those oppos-
ing Mr. Norton, the belated lip service
If men whose protestations of loyalty
are quickly followed by "the business
If today" the creation Of class hatred
~ those men should not be tolerated
~ the patriotic people Of North Dako-
"a. No one should forget that this
nation has set itself to probably the
greatest task in all human history
% win the war. The nations soul is
as never before. We can ac-
.ept no compromise, victory unquall-
led and absolute must be our achieve
nent-and no real American, foreign
u native born, doubts the results.
It seems almost inconceivable that
Mr.. Norton could, under the circum-
tances, be defeated, but the loyal Am
,ricans of the Third district should
lot forget that the political plowshare
# North Dakota in the past has turn
d up some mighty queer looking spec
mems and that therefore loyalty to the
ountry dictates that everything else
hould be subordinate to voting on
primary election day. :,
My friends and acquaintance Will
,e interested in knowing that l am
till successful in standing off the be-
vhiskered fellow with the scythe. The
CHEMISTS are watching my case with
much Interest," have made no red
,lood in over a year and they figure l
hould have crossed the river Styx g.
months ago. I have taken third
more blood transfusions than any man
wing or dead was able to do-and
m still taking them with benefit.
ow have more notches in my anatomy
o let the blood in than Chief Poor
Volt Of Fort Berthold had in his Coo
tick.
I realize, however, that l am grow
ag gradually weaker, that have one
cot in the grave and the other on
anana peel and that will soon have
0 bow to the inevitable. However,
m fully reconciled and every day /
hank God for my thorough-going be-
ef in future life. Heavens! what q
hastily joke this life must seem to
hose who do not believe in here-l