The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1898-10-07
for all concerned-May l recall tt
you the lines of Milton?"

"God doth not need either mans work, or his
Who best bear his mild yoke, they served him
His state is kingly. thousands at his bidding
Speed and post DER land and ocean without
rest;
They also serve who only stand and wait
"Shall l mention some results
which, without you, and such as you
could not have been achieved and
which we, Citizens Of the Republic,
hold in grateful remembrance.
THE powerful impression made by
our peaceful and peacs loving nation
upon the martial powers Of Europe
and Asia, was not made by the deeds
Of our small but efficient advance
guard, but by the contemplation OF
our vast reserve forces, of which you
were part.
1.-THE evidence of our financial
strength, of our naval aud military
skill and courage. or the soldierly
qualities and stalwart manhood OF oEr
multitudiOus volunteers, were to the
war lords of the world revelation
of the inherent and expansive force
of government Of the people, conse-
Grated to freedom.
"Your part in cementipg our lately
reunited federal union has been no.
worthy. Miles and Merritt, Wheeler
and Lee, the soldiers from the North
Star and the Lone Star states are now
and for all our future, the soldiers OF
the union, with one flag, one country
one destiny
"Under the guidance Of Him whose
ear IS ever open to the cry of the op-
pressed. the Grand Army OF the Re-
public, had raised race from the
level of the beast to the dignity of
men. The sons of those slaves have
with their blood washed out the color
line between those who from the
nettle danger would pluck the flower
safety
"In the ranks of our,volunteers were
found the rich and the poor, the
learned and the unlearned, marching
along, and by contact and example
teaching each other enduring lessons
of tolerance and charity.
1.-THE impending danger to our ma
tional existence arising from antag-
onis.ic classes is greatly lessened
thr ough your service and experience
"As in our civil war, so in this late.
war, the devoted self abnegation OF
woman has shed the dew of healing
on every camp and field where soldiers
served and suffered.
"The Starry Cross shining in south
ern skies, and the Carmine Cross re
splendent in southern camps and fields
and hospitals are alike recognized as
the handiwork of our God.
"Gen. Wheeler said, Every soldier
and every sailor will agree with me
that whatever our present glory, be-
hind the men who stand behind the
guns, is the God directed influence of
woman
behind you, comrades, stood such
women as the Woman's Relief Corps,
the Society of the Red, White and
Blue and kindred organizations.
"You have helped make history that
Eliminates the pages of American
annals. and advancing(or is it retreat
ing) from the position Of creators,
you are becoming naTrators Of his.
tory.
"Candor compels me to warn you
that here you trench on vested rights.
The 49er and the pioneer have long
since conceded to the G. A. r. man
his claim for pre-eminence as nara
tor of the history he helped to create,
and I trust you, heroes Of these later
days, will not rashly attempt to rival
US in telling stories Of camp and
field.
''It is not an inconsequent matter
to US, that you all, have acquired an
added knowledge Of, and deeper
love for your country. You are better
citize MS and can more easily discern
the line separating craftsmanship from
patriotism. Parallel to your in
dividual growth as citizens, during
the past six months, has been our ma
tional development.
among the powers of the world
we are the people, Among this peo-
pie, you, in the present, occupy post
of honor and are charged with its de-
fence. Whatever else you yield, hold
that post.
THE America whose cause you
have advanced is not alone the
America Of today. 1t is the America
Of swift coming future, which you
shall live to see, when Cuba, free and
enlightened, shall blossom as the
rose, and the faI-off Philippines shall
re joice for our coming. Be thankful
that such grand events in cur national
history have occurred in your young
years, and rejoice that of them you
each can say all of which 1 saw and
part of which | was
4 { % - l. L,