The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-06-28

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ceeding generations merits to be
deeply cherished by those of us who
follow. To have known and to have
been associated with many of these is
one of my chief joys. To have known
in childhood and youth something of
pioneer life and to have witnessed the
heroism and enforced economies and
simplicity of living which the terri
torial and early settlers practiced, to
have experienced the same in the
home, in the community, in the school
and in all early associations, have
impressed me beyond placement with
the debt of gratitude we of succeeding
generations owe to those who preceded
us.
While any of these remain to as
semble annually for reminiscent con-
verse, it Will always be sincere pleas
ure to me to be present.
Whatever new burdens changing
events, evolution of time or crises of
war may cast upon us, whatever new
and trying questions may arise, the
safety of the nation and of the state
must always rest upon loyal citizen
ship. Good citizenship is the highest
thing attainable. 1t must be the pre-
cept of the home. the lesson of the
school, the theme of the pulpit and
platform and the practice of our indi-
vidual lives. 1t will solve every prob
blem, temper party and personal pre-
judice and push the standard of human
conduct to the highest mark; it alb
serbs, as the flowers of the field absorb
gracious showers, and requires for its
highest development, all of the virtues
inculcated by the best religion, the
purest ethical philosophy and law both
human and divine. Whatever magni-
ficent structure is builded of our state,
its excellence in a great measure must
ever be attributed to those who laid its
foundations.
The example of good citizenship fur
nished by the early settlers OF this
commonwealth should be enduring in
effect and ever multiplying in its
power and influence. When these early
settlers and their descendants are
gathered together, let it be understood
that it is not gathering of transient
jewellers, but gathering of those who
have a permanency of interest in this
commonwealth and it's institutions,
who love it's lakes. its rivers, its fields,
lUS lUS lCS lO1CStG
and it's prairies, it's. harbors and its
mines, and who look with pride upon
the progress by which it is fast COM
ing to take place in the very front
rank of American states.
Pardon me if l so far trench upon
the Office of letter to mention thus
briefly what the early settlers who
have helped to create and rear this
and the lesson OF their
lives mean to me, and should mean to
all of our citizens who hold allegiance
to this our beloved state. Let me ex-
press the hope that your meeting this
year will be full of benefit and Joy to
all who are assembled.
l must, however, confess that per-
sonally the occasion is one fraught
with peculiar sadness to me. 1t seems
almost like lodge of sorrow. l can
not withdraw from my thoughts the
fact that the past year has terminated
the lives of two most useful, time
tried and time honored citizens of this
state, whose sphere of influence and
usefulness was not limited to the COM
munity in which they live for so many
years, nor even circumscribed by the
boundaries of the commonwealth.
When the flame of life within John G.
Wise and James Shoemaker burned
into the candlestick and went out, the
careers of no ordinary men were ter
minated. 1t was my privilege to en-
JOY the confidence and friendship of
both. From my boyhood I recollect
them. Their names were familiar
household words throughout my youth
and since arriving at manhood's state,
/ have been won to counsel with them
both on frequent occasions.
Mr.. Wise was for week my guest
but shortly before his death and the
real, genuine pleasure and satisfaction
my family, myself and my friends
who met him, took in his company and
the enjoyment he experienced in this
and in once more visiting the scene of
his early efforts, will always be sub
ject of grateful memory to me.
l have spent many hours with James
Shoemaker and none of them dragged
These men were of plain common
sense, of excellent judgment and genu-
inc character, who looked not to the
form but to the substance of things
they were serious minded men but
jovial companions not men of narrow
prejudices but men whose natures were
permeated by broad charity, men of
public spirit, interested not only in
the great things, but in the little
things that tended for the good of the
community and of the state and that
affected the welfare of individual citi-
zens, no matter how humble. They
were great personal friends and there
was scarcely day for many years in
which Mr.. Shoemaker did not visit
Mr.. Wise's office
Something has been taken away from
us by the death of these men which
cannot be restored. 1t is strong test
of the worth of one individual to ma
other for one to be constantly or fire.
quently reminded, in the course of
daily conduct, of the value of the judg-
ment and counsel of the one who must
hereafter be absent forever. 1t is only
by the absorption of the good that is
in the lives of such men that those
reap and can impart to others the real
benefit of their life's work and ex-
ample.
Yet, while these meetings of this as
ISOLATION are naturally and properly
largely reminiscent, after all let US
remember that we cannot and must
not live entirely in the past, but must
draw from the past lessons for our
guidance in the present and in the flu
ture. The inevitable things of life
must be taken with philosophical for
bearance. If we do not always know
why nor whittier, we can at least con-
clude that tho the scheme of life be
not of our creation or completely with
in our understanding, the one thing
that is demanded of us is to do and act
the best that is within us, with broad