Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1940-12-07
BY wILCHEY

BY WELCHEX
In the spring Of 1867, Henry N.
Blake, editor of the Montana Post,
the pioneer In territorial Journal
ism, scored the first newspaper
victory in fight for liberty and
justice, and against unconstitu-
tiOnaI government. II followed q
controversy that had lasted for
more than two years, and while
the battle was marked by a lack
of comment and an absence of hot
and infIammabIe articles, 1t had
its stirring incidents, one of which
nearly resulted In a duel between
the editer and the acting governor,
Gen. Thomas Francis Meagher.
In those exciting days the editorial
pen welded an influence that has not
been surpassed in Treasure state jour
nalism. The opinions Of the newspaper
publisher carried great weight and
were more carefully read by the pio-
neers than were other departments OF
the weekly press. So In the establish
ment of law and order and in laying
the foundation for q great common
wealth, the influence Of the press was
most important.
Largely through the influence Of
this 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 Appointment Made
The victory was scored in a fight
that commenced almost with the first
issue of The Post. which was estab-
hshed by John Buchanan in Virginia
City, Aug. 81, 1854. 1t was carried
ON in behalf Of justice by the late
Thomas j. Dimsdale, its first editor,
and by Judge Blake, who succeeded
him, and marked a climax to the lat
ter's journalistic career IN the year
that he forsook newspaper work for
the practice Of law.
There were no partisan editorials
in The Post during the campaign OF
1865, as most of the republicans of
the territory CThe Post being repub-
lican in its beliefs and strong sup
porter of the national government
refrained 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 failed
to pass law for the apportionment
of the territory as required by the
organic act. Republicans commended, a
position that was upheld by The Post,
that no valid election for the choice
of members of the legislature could
be held until congress provided
remedy. At first this view was taken
by General Meagher, who published
a letter endorsing it. Later he changed :
his mind, and as result he came :
in for caustic criticism at the hands :
Of the pioneer editor. :
Meagher Wanted Duel
The governor, who was quick Of ]
temper and willing to back up his
opinions at all times, took exceptions :
10 some of the caustic utterances OF :
Blake and the republican speakers, !
who made him the target for their !
tights of oratory. The situation OBJ =
;cured all other matters In that cleo r
ion. (
Spurred to the quick by his OPP S
,onents. the noted cavalry leader r
wanted to enforce his opinions with G
old steel and he sent challenge to "
light a duel to Blake. For a while
t look as If blood might be shed. 7
nut there was another demonstration b
hat the pen is mightier than the "
word, and after handling the situa-
ion in a very diplomatic manner, .,
Blake was able to calm the temper "
+ his opponent and later the two be- II
anne fast friends. This was brought -
bout largely by the fact that both II
ad seen service together in the army 4,
I the Potomac. ~
Both the governor and Blake were y,
depts with the sword and the pistol, y,
nd had there been meeting the f.
esult would most certainly have been ~
atal for one of them. This fact ~
aused considerable alarm to their "
-iends, who aided In bringing about :.
reconciliation. That neither the m
Overnor nor the editor held any ami
osity toward the other very long was co
lown in May Of the same year, after III III
)ngress had passed an act upholding ~
le views Of The Post and annulling tn
he work of the Legislative sessions of "a
I65 and 1866. Governor Meagher ex
AIMED Blake as assistant adjutant pr
sneral of the territorial guards with "a
le rank Of colonel They were fast M
lends until Meagher met his. death giil
: drowning In the Missouri at Fort ~
enton a short time thereafter. gal
iitoriaIs Were Weighty ~
Blake introduced to Montana the NJ
rst wireless" or grapevine" dis ~ AZ
Itches. Many obstacles confronted 10 40
e newsgathererS Of those early days. ne
iitoria1 matter was always the fea- -,
re. Early editors were selected for - a.
cir scholastic attainments and their d.; e.
lowledge of events, so that they were ~ ~.
lie to make an intelligent comment 1 10.
'on the news OF the day and life IN 20, 10
e territory. PC
Next In Importance was the local Ca
ID state news. Even at that early FRO
tie the possibilities of agriculture wa
- - - the
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