The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1898-05-13
will be equal and exact Justice for all

will be equal and exact justice for all
men.
The juvenile band rendered another
selection, Gust Before the Battle. :"
B. @. Taylor was the next speaker,
and said that we meet tonight to Gel
citrate great victory, not only d vic
tory of superior arms and heavier can
non, but of civilization over degen-
eracy, of the West over the decaying
East. Only few years ago, we were
told that patriotism was declining.
This conflict will cement the country
into one harmonious whole for liberty
and for uniCn.
G. L. Benedict said that we have
met tonight as American citizens to
celebrate grand victory. The man
who would not say word for that
great victor, Dewey, and his sailors,
was not worthy of the protection of
the country's flag. 1t was the great
est victory Of modern times. He pre-
dicted that Sampson would soon cap
ture Puerto Rico. We have the grand
est people on earth, he said, and the
best blood of every country. He
called for cheers for Dewey and for
the American flag, and may it go on
and conquer the Spaniards and sweep
them from the Western hemisphere.
The cheers were given with will.
Mayor Pau was the last speaker.
He said that war, when we think Of
it ordinarily, is most sad state of
affairs, but there are times when the
mighty hand of the law is laid on the
individual to redress wrong, and so
there are times when nation must
lay its hand on it's neighbor to right a
wrong. We have not done enough
when we have founded an asylum for
the liberty loving people of the world,
but we owe lesson of freedom to the
world. We have drawn the sword in
a just cause and now celebrate one of
the greatest victories in history-a
victory which history will carry to
future generations as one of the
bright stars of victories. Dewey was
sent to the other side of the world,
away from his friends, cut off from
base of supplies, but boldly entered
into the very gate of the citidel of the
enemy and utterly annihilated them.
We have right to rejoice and cele-
brate. because it was victory in the
name of humanity and liberty. The
great and mighty nations of Europe
were silent when we heard Of the
butchery of the Armenians by the
Mohammedans. Christianity hardly
opened it's mouth. We have set
Europe an example and opened the
mouths of our cannon to stop the
wrongs inflicted on the beautiful
island of Cuba, and the cannon will
not cease to roar until tyranny has
been swept eff the island. Dewey
should be crowned with victory, but
Credits not alone due him. Every
man on the ships is entitled to praise.
Activity and intelligence did more to
win victory than heavy cannon.
Americans on weak ship could win
against the strongest ship of degen-
| crate Spain. We may have reverses,
but they will be accidents, and not
through lack of bravery, or because
we are not up to the times, or through
any lack of enthusiasm in our cause
These seamen know that the eyes of
the world are upon them, and they
will do their duty.
Dewey is entitled to great honor
Wait until we hear from Sampson,
Schley and the rest. l am as sure of
victory as that I stand here. If we
celebrate every victory which we will
win in this war, we will gather here
every night all summer as we do to-
night. Cheers. We will sweep down the
length and breadth of Cuba and
sweep the Spaniard off of the " est
ern hemisphere. We are fighting the
battle Of liberty, and every battle
won Is won in the name of liberty. I
am heart and soul in this matter.
Save your flags and torches for Samp-
son, the strong man who will crush
the enemy, and for Schley, who will
slay him. (Applause.)
Judge Shissler called for cheers for
Mckinley, Dewey, Sampson and
Schley, and they were given with a
will.
The two weeks old child of Gotleib