The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-11-02
LAYS CORNER STONE
OF THE NEW ARMORY
Continued From First Page.

Continued From First Page.
about which the country,s great army
of citizen soldiery is formed in times
of trouble. Out of the guardsmen must
be selected the majority of the officers
to drill and command the volunteers and
quickly put the country on war footing
state. In time of trouble she Is always
among the first to offer aid to our country
and is prompt in sending her full quota
to aid In maintaining the national govern
ment-
The patriotic and loyal instincts of our
people, and especially of the citizens sol
diers of the state, is due in no small meas
ure to the officers at the head of the local
military organiZa tons. For when the
men are abroad enduring all manner Of
hardshipS it is no small comfort for them
to know that at home the city and state
officers are looking after their needs and
striving to provide them with necessaries
and comforts which they might not other
wise have. This Is no reflection on the
soldier. for they would do their best any
how. But 1t is great sustaining power
to them to know that their friends at
home are looking out for them.
The national guard deserves great credit
for the manner in which they responded
to the country's call in the late war. With
citizen-so soldier laid his life on the altar
of his country. willing to give it up If
| necessary to carry liberty to his fellow
men.
want to say that the mayor and the
citizens of ST. Paul, one and all. are glad
to see the local organization of national
guardsmen about to have such magnif-
cent structure as this building promises
to be. It means great things for the ST.
Paul companies. 1t means that there will
then be an opportunity to place the men
and morally. The building will be a
standing credit to the city of st. Paul,
and the people contribute toward its con.
struction gladly, asking no other credit
than that of giving 1t freely.
Governor Euiogizes the Soldier.
Gov. Van SAINT was introduced by
Maj. G. T. Spear and spoke in eulogis-
tic manner Of the citizen soldier. He
said in part:
The United States government owes its
life to its brave defenders. Our great
republic was born amidst the storm of
shot and shell. Prior even to the war OF
the Revolution our forefatherS battled with
savages and wild beasts to maintain their
homes on the shores of the new world.
Our advancement as nation has ever
conditions have made us energetic, prac-
teal, brave. Liberty that is not worth
fighting for Is not worth having Our
struggles have been long and fierce. Our
wars have been many, but we have ever
been victorious. This is due to the fact
j that our warriors have been citizen
soldiers.
Our national blessings came high. The
treasure expended. is almost beyond COM
prehension, so vast is the sum. The sac
rifice of human life is appalling. 1t has
been said that a million men have died
that Old Glory might triumphantly wave.
Sure 1t is that never since that April
| morning, when by the rude bridge that
arched the flood, the embattled farmers
stood and fired the shot heard round the
world, and hurled defiance at the greatest
nation of the earth, until that July morn
ing one hundred and twenty-five years
later, when under a gallant young leader
how Ri f,a6 &c nf N
Juan hill, we never have had to depned
upon hired help to defend the flag. There
always has been supporting column for
the stars and stripes. Why is this true?
Simply because our people are patriotic.
Why are they patriotic? Why do they
SO love their country? Because 1t is theirs
and the people rule. They appreciate
their manifold blessings. They not only
have liberty and equality before the law,
but they have equality of opportunity.
No nation like ours. No nation SO loved
by it's people. Because of this fact we
need no large standing army. Compare
our condition with the countries of Eu-
rope. There four million of men are under
arms-four million men taken from the
ness by those who toll, and at an annual
cost of $500, 600 600. How unlike our
national guard! Every member of this
organization is a producer and daily add.
ing to the wealth of the nation, as well
as supporting himself and those dependent
upon him. And If danger threatens his
country, he springs to arms-he is not
only willing to fight but to die If need be
for his home and native land.
Not only Is this true of the national
guard of Minnesota, but of every state
in the Union-not only Of the national
guard, but of every man of military age.
This makes us invincible against any
foe. Indeed / doubt If the combined
armies of Europe, Asia and Africa could
successfully invade our country. They
could not march inland one hundred miles
in one hundred years.
We are at peace with all mankind. In
doing this with our national guard. Its
value was fully demonstrated during the
Spanish-American war.
We do not realize our great strength:
neither did other nations; and that short,
decisive struggle, in which many of you
world power. Strong, powerful, just, our
influence is everywhere potential.
In all the states there are more than
100, 900 guardsmen, and with this force
as nucleus we could put into the field an
army sufficient for any emergency
An army composed of American citizens
| is no menace to our free Institutions.
When the great Civil war was about to
close many European governments
| doubted whether we would be able to
| survive that terrible contest. It was de-
| clared that Gen. Grant would take the
army and with it rule the country, declar
| ing himself dictator and establishing an
| imperial dynasty, and that our republic
| there any danger? No. The greatest victory
| won by the Grand Army of the Republic
| was not at Vicksburg. Gettysburg or APP
pomattox, where Lee surrendered to the
| these were the greatest victories ever
| recorded in history No, the greatest
| victory won by this matchless, uncon-
| querable body Of men was rather at Wash