The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1895-06-06
MEMORIAL DAY AT THE PRISON
Address by the Rev. E. P. 1ngersol
of ST. Paul.

The dark clouds CnaC hung over Tie prison. Ill
the early morning. dampened the spirits OF the
inmates, for it plainly indicated mo outdoor
sport today and sometime before chapel exer
cises were begun, it commenced to rain, and
rained steadily until after the noon hour. The
day was, however an enjoyable one, for Warden
Wolfer, not to be out done by the elements, an
nounced that the large cell house was at the
prisoners disposal, and the usual hand-shake
and chow are you Joe, Pete or Tom" was in
dulged in While not as pleasant as a rOmp in
the park would have been, the boys made the
best of it, as the captain of the cell house will
attest, if his usually polished floor was any in
dication that tobacco and boots had freely
mingled there.
at a. m. Warden WOlfer escorted the
speaker and Chaplain Albert, Z, A. O'Bren,
clerk Mr. and Mrs. Wolfer, Mrs. Lem
on, Miss Gertie WOlfer and Masters Frank VOL
fer, Sherman O'GOrman and John Greasy in
cadet uniform. Mrs. Gish had charge of the
musical program, and Mrs. Conklin presided at
the organ.
The following is the days program:
columbia the Gem of the Ocean. BY the
| entire audience.
| Prayer. ......... Chaplain j. III. Albert.
j Baritone solo. "Our COmrade has fallen"
| BY member prison choir.
ii AUOr6SS. L
! Song-"America". ........... BY the choir
/ The address of Rev. Ingersol was very elo-
] quent and instructive. He captured his audience
by telling a humorous story about church dig
nitary who upon attending an assembly of clergy
was called upon to address them. The moder.
ator was quite bald, as were many of the brethren
and he addressed them in this fashion: Eel
low brothers, am glad to stand before so many
barren heads, especially the moderator's." You
have not barren heads, my brothers, and stand
before men who honor this day which we
all honor. This day stands for the greatest
! country on EARTH The speaker ia very cleal
and forcible manner explained that these United
States were not great in the greatness of theil
resources of land and water. but great in thought
great in their laws and customs, homes an(
Y churches. In order to be great, country mus
have something more than soil, more than
vast territory. Holland possesses nothing grand
10 but she is grand, because she stands for grea
endurance; for the ships of the sea, for grea
e noble patriotism.
We will not attempt to even roughly outlin
the reverend gentleman's address, it was flle
q with wisdom, pleasant anecdOte, and lntens
81 patriotism. Making the point that America. il
Intelligence, in enterprise industry and virtu
w was without parallel in history
s The speaker traced the history of the cOuntr
back to 1860, when little colony was estaoishe
away from the prosecutions of Europe wher
IL they might worship and serve God in freedom
~ From this little band has sprung one of TIL
liz greatest nations on earth; the great principle
=" of freedom were born on these New Englan
ia shores, and kept alive by succeeding generation
' until 1916 when the colonies threw OFF the yok
Of oppression and declared themselves fret
CIV eliminating in 1S61-5 when it was settled for a
~ time no slave could live on these shores; on
% Union was nseparable.
ID The speakers euogy of the great men of on
n, countrys history was eloquent. Holding Wasl
Nd ingtOn the Joshua of our earlier history. Lii
RI coin great loving magnificent man; one 0
nj Americas greatest products. Grant the stor
hearted soldier who never took forward ste
until he was sure of his ground Garfield tll
he calm and patient sufferer.
mt sit is not always the great or illustrOus VIII
W. possess great hearts. Among the degraded one
er today, forced to occupy degraded positions
ng circumstances there are hearts that beat for til
kel right and good; but look upward, my fellow
Ill men, for strength to overcome your difficultie
Id Today whom the graves of so manv heroes wi
be covered with flowers by loving and gratef
hands, custom that will prevail until the en-
of time, we find much to thank God for that v
his are not crushed down by deSpOtiSm.
re- The future of the country depends upon h
ak honor her schools, her institutions. The nan
ed of God should be dear to us all. at all places
nd all times.'
tai Begging his hearers to pardon an old man Fl
ley attempting to sing, the speaker in what
en-. younger days, must have been a magnitice
in baritone voice, sang few verses of song tn
see had peculiar charm for him in childhood
ed song his sister used to sing, entitled the "Ame1
can Eagle"
w. Warden WOlfer thanked the speaker for b
:. very learned address, claiming that much
.u0 what we had listened to to us as great lie
'o sons which we should all try to prefit by wor
,ss of wisdom we would never forget.
'no He then told the inmates that on account
. the rain that was then steadily coming down,
viii II; would be impossible to 60 out to the park, b
lad they might cengregate in the cell house and 6
geo all the enjoyment possible out of the one al
on one-half hours remaining before dinner.
The Warden and his guests mingled free