The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-12-03
THANKSGIVING DAY IN THE
PRISON.

Thanksgiving Day was observed :
within the prison in the usual manner,
the star attraction of the day being the
Minneapolis Letter Carriers Band, UNI
der the leadership of Prof. Rossiter.
Miss Dixie Smith, also of Minneapolis.
contributed to the enjoyment of the
day with readings. Possessing elocu-
tionary powers of high order, her rem
ditions were we'll suited to the occa-
sion and received the hearty applause
of the audience, "SalvatOr' being espe-
cially well delivered. The chapel ex-
ercises consumed two hours, music,
readings and an address by Hon. w.
H. Eustis. ex-Mayor of Minneapolis,
being the features. The playing of the
Letter Carriers Band was great treat
to the inmates, and at the end of each
selection they manifested their appre-
citation by loud applause and encores.
Warden Wolfer introduced the speak
er of the day, who said in part:
NV friends, we meet here on this
gladstone occasion with our hearts
beating in unison, our thoughts flowing
in the same channel and actuated by
the same spirit of gratitude to the
Creator for His gracious bounty to our
favored land. 1t is the Joyous season
of the year when we all feel common
Impulse tounite in good cheer and good
fellowship. AS l sat here listening to
the strains of the music and the recita-
lions of the young lady, / could see
YOUR breasts heave with emotion and
your eyes moisten as the thoughts OF
, better days crowded your mind. On
such an occasion the memory of home
, and it's pleasant associations are always
7 uppermost in our thoughts, no matter
5 where we are or in what condition we
NAV be found. There is nothing which
appeals more strongly to our better ma
:. ture or is more pleasant to reflect upon
S than home. l believe it was before
: Atlanta. during war times, that an in
n cident occurred which forcibly Illus
: trated the power of home thoughts to
i influence men. The bands of the Op-
r posing forces were engaged in musl-
cal battle; the Northern "Hail Column
G. bia" endeavoring to drown the defiant
- strains of Dixie waited from the
. Southern lines. When the ''Star-Span'
% gled Banner was played by the blue
. the gray would respond with "Bonnie
:. Blue Flag" and so on through the list
20 of patriotic airs, both sides being
!, cheered by their respective followers
Presently, when the contest had become
weary. one of the bands struck uI
a alone Sweet Home AS if by magic
e all animosity was forgotten as thu
r. strains of the grand old song awakened
u in the minds of those stern soldiers tn
Id thoughts of loved ones at home. Ill
ut feeling was forgotten-for the momen
is war gave away to peace, all were friends
IN all were brothers.
1t is the same with us everywhere
Sorrow and adversely teach the valu
st of friends, home and obedience t
e. rightful authority. Repining unde
al misfortune is weakness. never strength
t. The time you spend here is not los
id unless you willfully waste it in brood
al ing over troubles which become mas
nified as they are allowed to occup
ny the mind The best examples of maj
ho hood this world has ever produced haV
ne developed under misfortune and b.
es. came ennobled under difficulty. AS
man yields to or resists temptation,
will the fiber of character be weakene
~ or strengthened. In the lives of all
NV us there comes a crucial test that ma
80 or makes manhood; one path leadir
~. downward to the abyss of misery an
Nv disgrace, the other upward to mob
~ and God like purposes, and the OF
Us chosen is the one that leads to the fu
fllment of our desires.
While mayor of Minneapolis, l hi
unusual facilities for studying the v
rious causes that drag men down
degradation, and of the many ! am co
n vinced that the drink habit is the wors
,ar My experience also teaches me tn
inf even the most confirmed drunkard CT
effect reform if will and moral pow
md are exerted to free the appetite fro
six the slavery of strong drink. Many
you, no doubt, remember Jack Dem
md sey, a man who had served 20 terms
the Minneapolis workhouse for drum
ar enness, and who, it was believed, W
lost beyond redemption. BY the aid
the Kelley gold cure, he succeeded
ar conquering the desire for strong drir
to and is now doing well, earning an he
t to est living and gaining the respect
or many who had previously lost faith
wi him. Many of you could with pro