The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-09-11
TRIBUTE TO ALEXANDER
RAMSEY.
Continued from second page.)

devises the state renewed the same to
other corporations, so safe-guarded as to
secure us those great lines of railway
which have so rapidly developed the
state Governor Ramsey is entitled to
the highest credit for the mastery skill
with which he extricated the endangered
state from its greatest peril.
Jan. LIST, 1850, Alexander Ramsey be-
came governor of Minnesota. Extraord-
mary events were pulsating the civilized
world Russia was emancipating her
serfs; Garibaldi was liberating Italy;
Germany was moving to unity. But
above all, in the United States of Amer
lea, the revolt against the Slave Power
had arisen to fever heat. The Fugitive
Slave Law, the bred Scott decision, Blu
chanan's career of weakness and imbe-
cility, the overthrow of the Missouri
Compromise, were melting causes for a
revolution which was fated to end in
blood. John Browns soul, at Harper's
Ferry, had begun its ominous march. A
mighty duel between Slavery and Free
dom was organizing in every home of the
republic.
In November. 1860, that man of God,
Abraham Lincoln, was elected President.
The storm which had gathered, now
burst in fury, and on a fatal Friday
afternoon, April 18th, 1861, Treason fired
its first shots at TT. Sumter, the por-
tents of the bloody carnage to follow.
For the first time the flag of the Union
went down, but to rise again, for "the
eternal years of God are hers!"
Ramsey was well prepared by expert
h. nd
extraordinary responsibilities thrust up
on him by the dread note of war. Not
one moment did he hesitate, but offered
the first troops to the President, and
thus set the pace for loyal governors.
The young state became a military camp
and the roll of the drum and the thrill
of the bugle fired the hearts of the sons
of Minnesota. He issued his call, and
his call was not in vain:
And there was a mounting in hot
haste; the steed,
The mastering squadron and the clat-
tering car,
Went pouring forward with impetuous
speed,
And swiftly forming in the ranks of
war"
The unexpected exigencies required
statesmanlike abilities. With an empty
treasury, he yet equipped regiments,
supplied batteries, and placed squadrons
of cavalry in the field He established
hospitals, appointed surgeons and sent
comforts to the sick. He personally
visited his troops in the bivouac and in
the hospital, and no men in the field
were better fed, better clothed. or better
c,,hSapnapf COLL lilo
the elan of Roderick Dhu, at the sound
of his bugle, warriors came from every
bush and brake. The history of Mime
sofa in the mighty struggle became he
role. 1t was necessary to choose an
army of officers, and well did he select.
His privates became captains; his chap
lains, archbishops; his captains, col
onels; and his colonies, generals.
But in the midst of this terrible war,
when our flag was almost fainting in
the breeze, there came the foray of a
savage enemy in the rear, with deeds
too dark for description, threatening the
desolation of the state. The dwellings
of settlers were blazing at midnight,
their paths ambushed by day. 1t was an
orgy of blood, in which neither age nor
sex were spared.
Never was a governor so tried and
tested. Never was a young state in
such deadly peril. But his energies and
resources expanded with the dangers.
His Scotch blood was fired with the
courage of a Bruce. He summoned every
man to the front. The pillow was stopped
in the furrow; the church door was
closed, or the church itself converted in
70 hncyito1 Tho irh n, tan re
fleeing toward the great cities. The
conditions of the state were trying to
the fortitude of the bravest hearts. But
it is the highest of all human praise to
say, that their constancy and courage
We're equal to the trial.
l doubt if the records of ancient or
modern times give a better example of
heroic deeds and actions, than were ex-
hibited in that dark day, when the reb-
els were in our front, and the savages in
our rear. Our soldiers sons were fall
ing on the bloody slopes of Southern
battle fields, and our citizens on the
frontier, were tomahawked amid the
CHASTITY flames of New Ulm. This was
the famous and heroic era of our history,
when we showed the world ''the might
that slumbers in a PEASANTS arm"
Let our children of all time revive
their dropping faith in periods of de-
spondency, by contemplating this SUI
preme exhibition of patriotic devotion to
the public veal. By promptness and I'M
wearied eXertions, the governor restored
public confidence, defended the frontier,
and kept two armies in the field, till tri-
umph closed in honor, around our faith
full and chiyalrOus sons. These war
achievements opened the door for his ad-
mission to the Loyal Legion, the noblest
association following any military con-
test in history.
1t is idle to compare any other state
administration with that of Alexander
Ramsey. All others, however competent
the executives, are commonplace and de-
void of stirring events. Amid all these
scenes of financial distress, of FRUSTRATED
credit, of dire rebellion and savage on
slaught, Ramsey was ever the centra
figure His GOODNESS, his judgment, his
practical good sense, carried us safely
and triumphantly through the most try
ing conditions in all the history of oul
state.
The roster of our seventeen governors
territorial and state, comprises a rol
of admirable men, of vigor and marked
ability. But Alexander Ramsey is east
" the Nestor of them all. His figure
stands out in bold relief, and his primacy
is universally conceded.
On the l4th day of January, 1868, HI
was elected to the United States Sen
ate. For twelve years he was disting
uished and working member of that il
lustrious body. He served on its mos
important committees, and no senate