The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-08-20
A SACRED DUTY.

There are certain situations which confront every
in his lifetime when he feels called upon to
lay aside all exact understanding as to what his OBJ
legations and to consider what the sentiment and
spirit of the occasion demand of him. What is
of individuals is often of communities The peo-
pie of the state of Minnesota are confronted by
such situation The inquiry with them must be.
not what their exact duty may demand. but what
the proprietieS of the occasion call for.
1t is demanded of us-every man of us who has
any of state local pride-o do something to
make possible the return at public expense of the
men who, at the call of their state volunteered il
necessary, to leave their bones to bleach beneath
tropic sun in the cause of an ensaved people.
The cities of St Paul, Saltwater st. Cloud and
Red Wing have united to the return of the
viving members of the companies that were formed
within their respective limits. The doing of this
must depend popular subscription. The people of
these cities and of the several sections from which
the young men came who made up these
companies are now called on to show that in these
times of regard for mere material results they are
not lost to the higher sentiments which nerve men
to doing those things which at once ennobe and ad
vance the welfare OF the human family.
1t is in spirit Of criticism that the G O be ex-
presses its regrets that the other city concerned in
the recruiting Of the young of the state to
light in the of the oppressed Cubans should
have chosen such method for the discharge of
this common obligation bespeaks a selfshness
which is scarcely compatible with decent regard
for the dignity of the and of all it's people, But
the duty of the people of other communities is none
the less well defined
The men of the Thirteenth regiment must be
brought back to their homes at the general expense
St Paul has large share Of the responsibility
ing on it's people for the successful accomplishment
of the undertaking. 1t and will be accomplish
ed 1t is not in any sense difficult when the re-
sources which can be called on are taken into ac-
count. There must be retreat from the situation
There can be no failure. Once it is decded-and 1t
has been decided by those who can be regarded as
having the right to speak for the people-a difficult
ties will disappear There is not one of us that
cannot afford to pay dollar to the accomplishment
of iris meriOrOus public undertaking. Unless the
enthusiasm and patriotic feeling which the heroism
of these brave men evoked is purely spurious, the
task will be Found comparatively easy of accomplish
ment.
There is occasion for further delay The Thir-
teenth is the ocean. 1t will be but a com
paratively brief period before they are approaching
the Golden Gate. They have been appraised of the
purpose of the people secure their return to their
homes in a body and freed from any demand upon
the poor compensation which the nation gives for
the grand sacrifices which they have made This
much, at least. they will expect. The feelings with
Which every of that regiment looks forward to
meeting in body the reception of their fellow citi-
of Minnesota, as they march beneath their torn
standard sacred to suffer disappointment 1t
is sacred duty the part of every man who loves
his state and his nation to contribute to the under
taking. If only bare fraction of them do So the
work is accomplished.
AS the men who filed the ranks of the Thirteenth
from every rank and station in civil life so
every man who follows productive calling is called
to meet the demand of the occasion. With such
it will not only be possible to bring the boys home
but there will be surplus left such as can be devoted
to those of the brave who wasted by disease
and sickness, will, for many months be unable to
maintenance.
Let the people Of st. Paul set the movement we'll
under way. 1t is their example that the success
failure of the undertaking must ultimately rest