The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-06-11
delivered distinctly and in a pleasing

delivered distinctly and in pleasing
manner.
"Self Control is True Liberty" was
the subject of an Grafton by Miss AL
ma d. Wagon. She said that true
manhood comes from self control, the
subsection of the baser impulses by
the higher. Every man can decide
for himself whether he shall be en-
shaved or free. Self control reveals
what a man really is, and distin-
guishes between the man and the ami
NAL. In self control more heroism is
shown that the conquest Of battle.
Self control was one of the chief fea-
lures Of George Washington'S charac-
ter. The solid foundation of liberty
rests upon individual char acter. Miss
Wagon won the favorable impression
Of all.
The third Grafton was given by Mr..
John HI. Echardt, on "The Sphere of
the State" The tendency of the
times, he said was toward cOncentra-
tion and monopoly and against COM
petition. Businesses that are COM
plete monopolies are the natural func-
tions of the state. Public misfortune
may result from the failure of govern
ment to exercise functions that per-
tain to it. He favored the govern
mental control of the railroads. Grea-
ter difficulties follow from not doing
this than would result from doing it.
He said that the post Office depart
ment is efficiently managed, because
it is nearest the people. The same
arguments apply to the telephone and
| the telegraph, as they are natural
monopolies. Public libraries are an
other example of the successful eX-
tension of the functions of the gov
eminent. Constitutions must vary
with the changes of the times. The
speaker was forceful and original in
his delivery.
Miss Emma A. Firestone followed
with an grafton on ''SinceritV and
Strength. She said that sincerity
in history has always been the con-
ditiOn of true success. A false man
cannot build great house. Daniel
was a notable example of strength
and weakness truth and insincerity.
Sad indeed was his old age when he
had departed from his youthful
strength in seeking office. The really
sincere man is rare, because it is so
easy to follow in beaten paths. Some
men are instructively looked up to.
Sincerity and honesty will carry a
man through what nothing else can.
A man need not be great to be sin
cere. Miss Firestone's Grafton
was given in finished manner.
"Religion of the American Indians
was the subject of Walter L. Browns
Grafton. In his primitive, state, the
religion of the Indian was brief. He
believed in an Overruling creator. The
poor Indian never had Revelation,
the Great Spirit never gave him a
code of laws. He had his tablets,
handed down from generation to gen.
Grafton. There was very little super.
stitiOn among the Indians, and yet
every hidden agency was personified
Nature was an unknown power, and
accidents were attributedto the wrath
of the gods. They were not sc
happy as to believe that the gates OF
the happy hunting ground would be
opened through their own good deeds
The red men have no powerful friends
to right their wrongs. as the enslaved
negroes had, but slowly and sadly
follows the setting sun to read theil
dooms. Mr.. Brown received generous
applause.
The chorus advanced and sang
: 1.-THE Angel" by Rubenstein.
. Ernest r. Brown gave an Grafton or
Schiller, the Poet of Freedom. u
The speaker darkly pictured the con
dition of the state in the eighteenth
century, and spoke of the horrors
, of the French revolution
He reviewed Schiller's dramas. anC
spoke of the large part which he hao
in bringing about the struggles fol
freedom. Freedom of whole people
is the theme Of William Tell" ano
the poet fulfilfs his mission and hold.
up to the world the idea of freedom
: The speaker showed an excellent de
: livery.
Jerome D. Porter gave an ORATOR
on the theme, ''The State and it.
War Powers. He spoke of the
atrocities of the Turks and touched
7 up the policy of the governments thai
sit willingly by and watch the pro
ceedings. Napoleon, who waged wa
, for ambition and throned and dethrop
: ed kings, fell prisoner by the chance
5 of war. One would think that thu
!, love of life would prevent war, bu
f this is not so. Governments have
n made war necessary, hiding its hide
Gus features. Wars have been waget
in the name Of liberty for various
s other purposes. War ought to bt
: abolished. A cheerful Christianit,
is casting light over the pathway O
the future. The speaker predicted
that peace and brotherhood would
s finally reign eternal. This ORATOR