Fergus County argus., 1902-04-30
THE MULE is ALRIGHT.

THE MULE Is ALRIGHT.
Rendered Faithful Service During the
War as a Pack Animal.
Captain j. C. Ware Of Champaign.
ILL.,, who is one of the pioneer horse
breeders and stockmen of central IL
linois and an old shipper to these
yards, and who is now proprietor of
a fine herd of Percherons and chair
man of the executive committee of
the Illinois Horse Breeders associa-
tion, also one of the state food in
spectors, in recent address before
farmers institute, in discussing
Practical Horse Production" deliv-
cred the following eulogy on the
much-abused mule:
"And while have an abiding affec-
ton for the horse and have devoted
the best years of my life to raising
and improving them, and have never
assumed the responsibility in any
way of bringing mule into exist
ence. Mr.. President, you will pardon
the depression from the subject of
practical horse production when |
say that | do not know that shall
ever pray to be permitted to spend
an eternity with then. ! have always
believed that there ought to be re-
served a place high up in animal
glory as a place of eternal reward
for the ever faithful and much abused
mule. The experience of more than
three years of active service as SOL
der, confirmed by the history Of the
world during the past few years, has
convinced me that no country can
wage a successful war. especially un-
der tropical sun, without the aid of
the American mule. Without the
promise of promotion or pension, un-
supported by pride Of ancestry or
hope of posterity, he can slide an
eternity of agony from his tongue In
one short metallic bray, and submit
to more curses and endure more cruel
treatment and live longer on less food
than an animal of the horse kind.
Next to the private soldier we owe
a debt of eternal gratitude to the mule
for the salvation of our country and
the perpetuation of human liberty
and our hearts are full Of gratitude
when we remember the many times
when, after long days and nights ol
weary marching, filled with hard
ships, privations and exposure, ant
we had fallen exhausted by the way
side, our stomachs as empty as con
tribution box and our haversack hang
ing at half mast in hollow mockery
abandoned by commander and com
Trade, with no one to aid or comfor
except the ever faithful mule. he. toe
had been turned out to die, which h
, always declined to do unless he wa
blown into very numerous parts an
the pieces all hopelessly lost. II
would always linger near the line o
march and his presence was alway
: a life-saving station to disabled o
discouraged soldier, as he was eve
:. ready to yield his under jaw In vii
ing obedience to the guidance of ou
gunstrap and would carry US in safet
into camp, his sharp, rasping bac
always curing our aching limbs an
!. bleeding feet by what is now know
: as counter irritation.
For three years. or during the wa
he was never known to fail In any e.
tremity, and now these same ol
, mules. after saving the country an
u aiding all of the reconstruction mea
. ures by helping the freemen to rail-
y cotton to keep their old master fro
want and despair, are now, near
y forty years after the war, busily q
= voting what would seem to be the
declining years to building up ne
10 south and a reunited and wonderful
prosperous country. and | do n
" think it is possible for any man to
y true patriot and loyal to the fl
y who is not jealous champion Of d
u mule, yet recognize divine wisdo
~ and give thanks when l rememb
70 that they have been denied the pow
ia ,o ranroduce themselves"