The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1904-04-14
REFLECTIONS
.sssBYees@
G.. s.

>~.~~~o~~~~~~~~
THE Japanese navy is pronounced
by the Scientific american to be
the most thoroughly modern of all
navies. Practically all her ships are
but few years old and are of the best
American and English make. They
also have the largest battleship in the
world, it being superior in tonnage and
equipment to the best ships we have.
In fact, this country is but little ahead
OF Japan in number and size of ships.
PENDENNIS may be little incon-
sistent at times, but he makes up
for it with his qualities as booster He
advocates six hours work and a mini
mum wage of five dollars per day for
the workingman. He believes there is
nothing too good for the man who
"earns his daily bread by the sweat of
his brow" and what is more, I believe
he would give it to them were it in his
power to do so.
THIS country did $65,OOO,OOO worth
of business with Japan last year,
and about $12 100000 with Russia in
Guiding Siberia. Then, who is our best
friend? If Russia should win in the
impending struggle it would be right
in line with her policy to shut out all
other countries from the whole coast
of Asia thereby cutting US off from any
further business. The resistance of
Japan is simply a fight for life. With
Russia in control of the coast, japan
would be nothing but a Russian pro-
vince. And where would we be from
a commercial point of view?
1T has always been my impression that
any one born in this great country
might aspire to greatness. But after
reading the biographies of number of
our statesmen am not quite so sure
about it. 1t seems that you must first
arrange to be born on a farm. This is
just as important as that the future
millionaire must start out in life with
out a dollar" In order that any man
may live in the memory of his fellow
citizens his biography must state that
his growing years were surrounded by
the healthful influences of life on
the old farm. His youthful thoughts
must have been those of an innocent
hayseed and he should go to school
within smelling distance of the new
mown hay. He must have come in
contact with nature in all it's beauty
and glory, gone to the village academy,
whipped the town bully and won the
village belle in the face of fierce OPP
position. All great men can tell us
how the powers of their lives were
schooled and developed under the in
SEPARATION of singing brooks, signing
trees and the perfume of sweet flowers
j while they drove their fathers cattle
from pasture land to muddy creek
and how in mature manhood every
picture of farm yard scene recalled
the sweetest memories of their child
hood and Overshadowed all their later
triumphs. These advantages are essen
tial to greatness; they are to be had
only on farm and without them we
must give up hope of ever becoming
| oifhQr 20
! THERE is not man alive but what
has made mistakes at some time
or other in his life. Those who over
! come them and eventually succeed do
SO because they have a faculty of
ignoring that which is past remedy.
The others lie down and chew the cud
OF bitter memories. They never con-
sole themselves with the thought of
their successes which. as a rule, coun-
terbalance the failures. This world is
mystic labyrinth and we can never tell
what the outcome will be when we
start out on the voyage of life.- We
are often the victims Of circumstances.
of environment aud inheritance. Our
very existence carries with it penalties
which no one can escape and "the man
who never sinned never was man."
But above all, when we make mistakes
we can comfort ourselves by remember
ing that, being human we are very liable
to err. Never at any time should we