For the Good of the Order

This Book Is Part Of Our History One That Has Slipped From Memory In The Passage Of Time. The Story Ofnick Coleman One Of His Generations Most Inspired Leaders While Overdue Is Still Worth Telling And Surelyit Carries Important Lessons For Us Now. Walter F. Mondale . . In January 1973 Nick Coleman Became The Fi Rst Democrat In 114 Years To Lead The Majority In The Minnesota Senate.He Provided The Vision And Leadership Required To Enact The Minnesota Equivalent Of Lyndon Johnsons Social Andeconomic Programs Known As The Great Society. This Was The High Tide Of Liberal Politics In Minnesota The Crest In Votersupport That Also Sent Hubert Humphrey Eugene Mccarthy And Walter Mondale To National Prominence.. . For The Good Of The Order Chronicles Nick Colemans Role In The Legislative Cauldron That Resulted In Minnesota Beingrecognized Throughout The Country As The State That Works. Despite Spirited Political Challenges These Remarkableachievements Resulted From Genuine Collaboration From Both Sides Of The Aisle. Moreover The Debate Over These Initiativeshelped Raise Minnesotas Legislative Branch To Coequal Status With The Executive. Sadly They Also Marked The Beginning Ofthe Demise Of Civility Respect And Compromise Among Lawmakers.. . Coleman Was An Irish-American And Proud Of His Heritage. His Talent For Leadership Was Surely Enhanced By His Celticwit And View Of The World. No Caricature Of The Irish Pol However Coleman Used His Verbal Gifts And Charm To Offerreasons Why A Hesitant Colleague Could Safely Follow Him When Votes Were Needed For Controversial Bills. He Led From Thefront Especially When Debate Was Most Intense And Unfl Inchingly Took The Fi Ercest Fi Re From Adversaries.When Nick Coleman Left The Political Arena In 1981 A Wave Of Conservatism Was Sweeping The Country. Since Hisdeparture Much Of The Agenda Coleman Fought So Hard To Accomplish Has Been Diluted Or Reversed. Nevertheless Hislegacy Remains An Inspiration To All Who Believe That A Society Should Be Judged By How It Treats Its Weakest And Leastpowerful. Perhaps Hubert Humphrey Voiced This Belief Most Succinctly When He Said ...The Moral Test Of Governmentis How That Government Treats Those Who Are In The Dawn Of Life The Children; Those Who Are In The Twilight Of Life Theelderly; Those Who Are In The Shadows Of Life: The Sick The Needy And The Handicapped.. . Those Were The People Nick Coleman Fought Forand Never Forgot.