The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-10-14
and the characteristic energy and deci-

sion of my predecessor, Governor
Clough, she was enabled, in the late
Spanish as in the civil war, to tender
and have mustered into the service of
the United States her quota as the first
offering Of the people upon the altar of
our country AS Minnesota's sons were
the first to be mustered into the service,
SO they were among the first to be mus
tered out
When nearly a year and half ago,
you departed with your sister regiments
for the field OF action and duty, you
went forth the pride OF great state
and with you the blessings and prayers
OF the people. The other regiments bore
as you, and with credit to themselves
and our state, the burdens and hardslips
OF severe military discipline and camp
lie under burning southern sun, but
to you alone fell the lot, in addition to
these, to encounter and endure dangers,
the sacrifices and the sufferings OF an
active campaign. Knowing you as l
do, | am sure you regarded this as a
privilege. Such was the spirit of the
other regiments. Such has always been
the spirit OF the American volunteer
The honor OF the state was in safe hands
The confidence OF the people was not
misplaced. I shall not stop to recount
the incidents OF your record. The COM
mendations OF officers in high COM
nland; the presence OF the president to
greet you: the generous sacrifice OF the
rank and file OF Our people to make
your welcome hearty; the plaudits OF a
state, constitute stronger evidence OF the
merit and approval OF that record than
any words OF mine. Let me also thank
you, the good people OF the state, for
this cordial and well-deserved reception
to our returning boys, and to remind
you that their sacrifices for state and
country are not yet ended. They arc
today standing ON the threshold OF civil
life, to which they have been strangers
and the opportunities of which they have
lost Tor a year and half 1t will take
time, fortitude and perseverance for
them to become again absorbed in its
ranks. In this struggle they need your
patriotic cooperation, as we'll as the
word OF cheer and your good will.
This is, indeed, an occasion for re-
joicing, not alone over your return and
the happy reunion OF friends and rela-
tives long parted, but also over the
power OF the republic and the prestige
gained by its beloved flag in part by
your valor. To the thoughtful citizen,
it is also one OF solemnity. We have
reached stage in our national develop
ment which eliminates the volunteer
soldier from the sphere OF national &C
tivity and influence for the future.
The part which the volunteer soldier
has played in the formtion nd devel-
opnlent Of Our institutions and national
life, as their defender in times OF
danger and as civic leader in times OF
peace, has furnished most of the ma
terial for our history and the larger
share OF the inheritance OF glory and
the traditions of our people. His mis-
sion under the constitution is to Sup
press instruction and to repel invasion.
With country united in interest and
in spirit, with the same language, insti-
tutions and ideals, an intelligent and
patriotic people, the possibility OF
future instruction cannot be conceived.
We are the largest and wealthiest
civilized nation. Last years demonstra-
ton to the world, not only OF the poten-
tiality Of our vast power but Of the abi-
ity to almost simultaneously transform
seventy millions O.. people from a con-
dition of profound peace to one OF eff
cient warlike activity, and such activity
more intelligently and successfully ex-
crcised than ever witnessed before under
like conditions, has placed our country
beyond the possibility OF invasion or
attack Nations, like individuals, do not
court destruction. They will profit by
Spain's example. By our growth and
development the mission OF the Aneri-
can volunteer has come to an end. For
purposes of conquest and subjugation
he is Unfit, for he carries conscience
as well as gum The volunteer soldier
has always stood for sclf-govern1ncnt,
liberty and justice. With your genera
ton he will pass from the stage OF Our
national life. His fame and his example
will continue the heritage of our people
the theme of story and song. May
the spirit which has actuated him ever
guide our people and temper the
strength OF the nation which has out
grown him, with the eternal principles
Tor which he has fought and died.
Lee