The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-07-23
ER MINNESOTA, THURSDAY JULY 49, 1896

to elevate all with whom it comes in
contact and thereby prove to them a
most munificent blessing as we'll as to
the actor from whom it emanates.
When Abraham Lincoln with one
stroke of his pen knocked the shack
les from between three and four mil
lion slaves, he did his duty and he
knew it; but did the action cease here
in effect? No, absolutely and emphat
ically, No! A race of freemen all over
this magnificent land rise up today
and call him blessed. When the last
fabric of this country shall have per-
ished, if such time shall ever come,
which, may heaven forbid, yet the
name of Lincoln shall rise above the
din of destruction and decay. Why is
it that we as American citizens have
such love for political freedom? Is it
not the teachings of the Revolutionary
patriots, the Henry's, the Otis and
Hancock's? But 1 need not enumer
ate They were those who sounded
the tocsin of liberty on this continent
and their expressions have continued
to find lodgment in the hearts of their
successors, until today scarcely a man
can be found who is not patriot to
the extent of his life's sacrifice in de-
Tense Of political honor, and of per-
sonal liberty. When that great patriot
exclaimed: "Give me liberty or give
me DEATH" did those words die with
the echo? Methinks they are sound
ing yet down the ages, inspiring you
and me to redoubled energy in defense
of our country. Truly our words will
never cease to sound or our actions
cease to live. Our duty may not make
heroes of us, Notwithstanding it is
none the less mandatory. 1t may not
be our lot to hold the throttle on the
mighty on-dashing vestibule train as
it rushes through our valleys, climbs
rugged mountains and enters mighty
and picturesque Businesses, leaping on
ward to the mighty and boundless
plains beyond, having in charge
train freighted with human lives which
we are finally permitted to save from
an awful destruction by the sacrifice
of our own. We may not be called
upon to serve our country in the field
or on the sea, imperilling our lives for
her safety, yet withal we may do our
duty by being honest, upright and
manly citizens of this, the greatest re-
public beneath the stars of heaven.
Our voices may not resound in the SEN
atorial chambers or legislative halls,
the newspapers may not be double
loaded to sound our praise as states
men, but our own voices may be raised
in defense of right until all heaven
shall re-echo with the praise thereof.
In doing this we fulfill our mission,
which is only our reasonable duty. Our
duty to our country is not paramount
to all other duties. One which should
receive prominence among people of
our age is duty to parents. This is an
old and mich-wOrn subject, but we as
American youths cannot afford to ig-
more the command "Obey your parents y
We are not an advocate of the "goody,
goody" boy who lives only in the SEN
sational tales of Sunday school litera-
ture and always dies early in life, but
we do admire the manly, generous, up.
right youth who honors his parents
and studies their comforts.
Obedience marks the first step in
filial duty. Here again duty is impera
tive. No man is fit subject to disci
pline others who has never learned to
obey. Napoleon learned to obey, and
under his command, vast armies swept
over Europe, making monarchs trem
BILE and crowns topple.
The hero of Appomattox first learned
, to obey on the banks of the Hudson
and the name of General Grant will
emblazon the pages of history unit
time shall have been rolled up as {
scroll.
: Truthfulness is an important facto
r in duty; no one can be we'll rounded
r out specimen of manhood who is no
: entirely truthful. While we decry tn,
= story of George Washington and hi