The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-03-31


lators are making "the occasion"
DICK YATES
Forty years ago the executive of
Illinois was one of the most gifted and
patriotic among American statesmen
1.-The Great War Governor" was in
hearty accord with the chief magistrate
of the nation, and he it was who signed
Grants commission against the advice
of his friends. He was not merely
loyal citizen, but he was courageous
executive and brilliant defender of the
Union. His eloquent appeals in behalf of
national unity; his kindness and for
bearance; his firmness and his sense Of
honor and of truth, made him the great
man that the occasion demanded. At
present, his son. a young man forty
years of age holds the same position but
times have changed, and there is no
probability that the present governor
will rank high as his father, either
as statesman or executive. He is sur
rounded by unfortunate conditions; he is
besIeged by petty otticeseekers, and all
the evil influences that party organiza-
tiUnS set in motion and corrupt men
seek to turn to their own account beSet
him on every hand. He finds himself in
political bank Of quicksand, and every
movement that he makes will tend to
drag him down. Yet he issa worthy
young man who longs to follow the eX-
ample set by his father and is trying to
place pubic duty above personal interest.
VIII he succeed? All good people hope
so. He is most ably supported in his
Efforts in behalf of wise and honorable
dealing with great questions by his gen.
tie Christian wife, who places religious
duties above all others, and who, in the
midst Of official functions finds time to
attend to her church obligations While
1 was in Springfield she entertained in
the executive mansion, Mrs Booth-Tuck-
er, and gave her marked attention and
warm moral and religious support The
| governor and his wife are highly
esteemed by all classes and all good peo-
pie, Democrats as we'll as Republicans,
wish him success, and hope that he may
stand firm against all corrupting in.
fuenceS.
THE LITTLE SCHOOL HOUSE.
These matters came to me as Journey
ed to the town, and afterwards as
wandered about it's streets but my
thoughts also turned to events that par
| ticularly concerned me, and that were
connected with my work there many
years ago. l went out to the neighbour
hood where the little school house in
which 1 taught my first school in the
country is still standing, and where a
few of those that were there in those
days still remain The names On the
daily register are not those of former
days, and, looking over the old record
one finds that not few have no longer
need of earthly instruction The chill
dren of my memory were still there 1
could see their pleasant faces, hear their
pleasant greeting, watch their thought
full, studious efforts, but only as in
! dream. Some of them are in Oregon;
some in other states of the Union. and
some have passed away forever, ana
strangers have taken their places I'm
der the same roof that had sheltered me
| in those years I slept again but the
| good man who had made my life pleas
ant then, and who did what he could to
inspire me with hope and ambition. rs
! no more"
! In Springfield the house in which L
| laugh still stands. but it has been mucn
! improved. and pupils have better ar
| rangements than formerly. I rejoice in
! this, but, at the same time, hold that
! the days of the past were pleasant
| trust that l am yet far from the point
| In my life when I shall begin to live in
! my memories, but here is such won
derful collection of men, Incidents
! scenes and events that I trust the
! G b e's readers will bear with me 1t
was not possible for me to revisit the
the scenes of my early labors and not
| call up there visions of the past, and
| Was II pOSSiDle Tor them to pass
| In review before me without awakening
| regret without causing a melancholy
/ feeling I have no vain regrets no use
less longings. however, and feel that [
have yet in possession all the good and
| the beauty that came into my life dur
| Ing those years.
They have not perished-no,
Kind words remembered. voices once
| so sweet,
Smiles radiant long ago,
AID features the great souls apparent
All shall come back each tie
~. ~ pure affection shall be knit again;
reign
"A ]. Smith.