The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1889-05-03
FANS BANouETEp.
f Hospitality Entertalns WllkIn
Il Post and Other Guests.

-. L has several times been banquet
by Wilkin post, and Tuesday night re-
turned the compliment in manner to
win the commentator ofall present. The
post assembled at its room nj 1870 D. M,
and Co. was OH hand ut 500 D. M,
with the military band TO escort the old
veterans to armory hall. The militia sa-
luted their guests by firing several vol
leys below the post room. Arriving at
city hall everyone, including the council,
former members Of the militia, and 9TH
er invited guests, at once took seats at
the rows of inviting tables that were COW
cred with an abundance OF good things
served up by w G. Masters, whose ca
tering was pronounced success by all.
The party numbered l75 all told, besides
about twenty or more ladies' from ST,
Agnes guild, who had kindly consented
to act as walters for the occasion. Ii il
said that no man can make good SOL
der unless he is good eater, and if
this is true the militia and veterans are
composed of heroes. But then every
thing was 80 inviting, even down to the
pork and beans, that there was no stop.
ping when once beginning was made
Supper concluded, the band PLAYED
very pretty piece, and the company had
AN opportunity to look about them at
the elegant decorations IN the hall. The
militia had arranged the decorations of
flags, bunting, etc, so as To present
very engaging effect. Flags were every
where, and bunting was suspended from
post to post and around the sides, and
cutting of the temporary kitchen.
Lieut.. Comstock, commanding the
company, acted as toast master, and first |
announced as toast april 30th, 1885,"
which was responded to by Judge Sew
erance.
He reviewed the condition of affairs |
with the new republic at that time. He |
described the Inauguration of Washing |
ton and the events attendant tliereupon,
which are now craven in history. The |
parade at this Inauguration was describ- |
ed. The speaker paid high tribute To |
the ability of Washington in its various |
intellectual and moral features. His |
truth, virtue and propnety are perhaps |
as near paragons as 1t is possible In q |
human being. The Judge rather dis
counte need the great effect that is placed |
on the cherry tree and hatchet story. |
His fame rests upon more substantial |
things than this. No man can be truly |
great unless he has passion which will /
equal his towering ability. He referred
to the great growth of the country dur
ing the past hundred years, and men
toned the civil war and the proceeding
slavery agitation, with the doctrine of
secession. Slavery and secession were
at last drowned together and drowned
In each others arms. Slavery never
had place in this country This was
the only question that ever disturbed
the polity of this country. There is now
q constitutional unity which cannot be
torn asunder except by malice or slug
glshness. The advice of the reconstruct
ed portion of the country, twingi ng un
der the pain of rebuke, should not be
followed. He concluded with a few well
worded sentences expressing patriotism
The band played piece, after which
the toast "Our Soldiers" by Mayor Pau.
He spoke of the revolutionary heroes
" ho met and successfully defied, the
greatest military nation of the day
Those were the soldiers of the past
When the country was free, then the
question arose about the army of the flu
ture. Instead Of large standing army
it was decided to have an armv of citi-
whose patriotism should
take the place of constant drill. The
wisdom of those who laid out this plan
was demonstrated in every war since
thc iCNOiutiOh' lno5C are Tie 5OIuicTS
of to-day. The soldiers of the future are
as vet untried, but the same spirit of pa
triotism still remains.
After another piece by the band, a
quartet Of Wilkin post rendered a song
in very acceptable manner. The band
followed, and received an encore.
Rev. w. Whitney was then called up
on for some wartime anecdotes. These
were varied and interesting, and each
painted with well drawn moral
After more music by the band the
began to break up, although
the toasts had not all been responded to.
Cheers were given for the band, the la
dies, the veterans, the militia, etc, and
everyone departed in right good spirits.
proud of their entertainers, who had
shown themselves such successful hosts.