The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1906-12-06

lead our ragged and discouraged army
against the British and their hirelings;
and, altho one of the youngest leaders
of the world, he was able to free our
land from mighty Britain's sway" and
how those victories, are today cele-
brated by one hundred and eighty
million of thankful people.
Why head the list on the scroll of
military fame with the name Of that |
great Roman dictator who made the !
"bravo's trade" his profession? He
never drew weapon but to crafty am
bition and further his own selfish ends
and who, under warm Italian-like
sky, ia open defiance of his country's
laws, spurred his horse across the
"Little Rubicon" to satisfy his remorse-
less thirst for conquest; and then give
an inferior place to- that hero OF the
revolutionary struggle who never drew
his sword but in a noble cause, refus-
ing to further impoverish his country's
treasury by accepting the pay of his
rank.
Napoleon's march into Russia in 1912
is declared the greatest military array
the world has ever seen. Yet, the as
sertiOn of a prominent foreign writer
that Washington, who was able to ac-
compllsh so much with what little he
had at his command could not have
gotten that mighty force into Russia,
does not diminish the luster of his
military career, any more than does
The fact that Napoleon could not get it
out again increase the brilliancy of his
military achievements. Josephine was
he power behind his sword. 1t was
,er love and confidence that spurea
im on to conquest, aud brought him
uto military tame; when he put her
aside he was as ship without a rudder,
cooling away the scepter of universal
dominion III one nights debauch, and
lis star went down forever. 1t was
love for his fellow men and desire to
Tree them from the yoke of British
pondage that infiamed the soul of
Washington, and led him on to victory,
and his star shines with a brighter
luster as the years roll on. In the
words of Lord Byron: "Washington's
name is watchword such as ne'eI
shall sink while there's all echo left t.
air."
The world has produced many great
statesmen but none greater or more
beloved than Lincoln. No president
ever entered upon Office with such
small means at his command or under
such discouraging conditions. Amer.
ica, as you all know, was divided
against itself; yet, with perfect faith in
God and guided partly by events, he
led this nation thru the Great Civil
War, disengaged us from diplomatic
entanglements and brought forth a
reunited America. He had not the
silver tongue of Douglass, that mislead
the ignorant and superstitious, but he
did have the gift Of clothing his
thoughts in a language that all could
understand, and which drew the whole
. nation to him in love and confidence
His speech at Gettysburg, and that OF
John Brown at Charlestown. are sale
!, to be the two best specimens of clio
quence we have had in America, and
believe they are unequaled in the his
!. tory of worldly affairs and in purity ol
: thought and simplicity of language
: Many pages more could be written OF
i. this subject but I will conclude by say
:. ing that, to live on the threshold of th'
twentieth century and be citizen o.
; this grand and glorious republic il
better than to be ruler of any othe
, country. 17OO.
+ Successful aIeSmen