The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-10-13


The reception extended to the men of
the Thirteenth regiment was all that
could be demanded Of a great state. Min
nesota has shown that it is as devoted to
high ideals of patriotism as it was thirty
nine years ago, when its citizens went
forth spontaneously to save the republic
1t has not proved a mistake to entrust
the people of the Twin Cities with the OBJ
legation to convey to the soldiers of the
Thirteenth the love and admiration which
prevail among the people The reception
was all that the most exacting could ex-
pect, and the enthusiasm of the masses
who Witnessed the parade fully testi-
fled the gratitude and esteem which is
the dominating sentiment among our peo-
pie.
The presence of the chief magistrate of
the republic lent dignity and earnestness
to the occasion. He gave fitting express
sion to the sentiment with which we all
regard the devotion of the men who
showed their patriotism by enlisting in a
e--SI
mediate welfare of their own country,
but which concerned only a weak and
unbefriended people in their struggle for
civil liberty. The war which these men
enlisted for has been ended for some
time past. We are still in arms. This is
not the occasion in which to express any
which other citizens and sons of the re-
public are engaged in the struggle which
these men laid down a few months ago.
But whatever that struggle may involve,
or wherever it may lead, the example of
the men Of the Thirteenth shows that
without thought or inquiry the men of
the race are still ready to go forward and
follow the flag which it is an American
soldiers duty to uphold.
While we thus express the profound
sense Of gratitude with which we all re-
gard the record which the boys of the
state have left on the battle fields of the
Orient, and after we have conveyed to
them and TO the world the feelings with
which we regard their achievements,
there still remains a duty which we owe
them, more serious and far-reaching in
Its effects and influences than any which
pertains to the mere expression Of public
regard.
These young men are about to re-enter
the domain of commercial life. AS they
willingly laid down all the opportunities
and ambitions which pertain to the daily
walks of business life, we, the commu-
nifty, and the men who play a leading
part in our industrial life, have duty
which we should neither forget nor shirk.
That duty is to enable those young men
to take up the thread of their lives as
nearly as may be where they laid it
down. We must discharge that duty All
our expressions of attachment and de-
Yotion count for just so much sunshine
unless) we can show these young men that
our sympathy and regard have practical
side to them.
These are two great cities. There are
countless opportunities to locate all the
young men of industry and thrift who to-
day cast off the livery of the nations SOL
diery to resume their places in civil life.
Will we do it? That is the essence Of all
devotion that we may express or enter
tain toward them. We can if we desire
If every business man who has a position
In his establishment requiring the serv-
ices of a young man will but give the
preference in filling it to the young men
of the Thirteenth, things will soon adjust
themselves, and we will make 1t plain
that our welcome of our boys is some
thing more substantial than mere emo
tional fireworks.
During his speech at Chicago Sir Will