The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-06-01

they are the parting words of Moses,
and warning given unto Joshua his
successor. The two thoughts are very
applicable to us as people. Decor
alton day comes this year to prosper
Gus and happy nation. This should make
all the more noble the men who died for
our country forty years ago.
Compared with many of the leaders of
today, those lying in the national GENE
teries assume the form of heroes born
in the brain of some gifted poet. 1t
seems most impossible that we are read
ing cold history when we call to mind
the array of statesmen and soldiers.
that some before us on these memorial
days. Out of affection and gratitude
we should all hasten to ornament the
places where they sleep. Not only were
these men great in spirit and mind, but
they were great in achievement, and the
nation for which they gave their lives
is great still. The blunders and wrongs
that mar the present let us hope are
temporary. After the storm has passed
the trees straishten, vegetation grows
more luxurious, all nature seems to
smile, so well our national life put on
new beauty and strength long after the
littleness of the mistaken and deluded
politicion is forgotten Not all paths are
flOwery, not all DAYS fair. The distresses
of today are light compared with the
bloodshed of bygone years.
The soldiers who gave their lives
following the flag seem to find their
deeds and their graves justified in the
greatness of our nation, in spite of the
many things we deplore in our national
life. The blood of the martyrs did not
insure the church against mistakes
hence we have the picture of the dark
ages to stain the pages of history. The
martyrs, however, died to establish prin-
ciples and as the sun always comes
forth in glory after every storm, so af
ter each blunder of the church these
principles came forth clothed with new
meaning and power, and loyal hearts
would still cherish the memories of the
apostles, and the Christ. The heroic
lives of our soldiers cold not insure us
against mistake and folly but they gave
to the world nation SO great and
thoughtful, that the follics of men can
not easily impede her progress, or mar
her fair name. Beneath the vice and
crime that hold sway in so many of
our cities there is lying sublime ex-
ample of patriotism which calls for
songs of gratitude and hymns of praise
Patriotism in the tomb cries out
against the living vice and ignorance of
this self seeking generation. Gratitude
is one of the most noble traits of human
character That which is commemorate
| in ain individual is commcndable in a
nation, for the nation is but many indi-
viduals acting as unit. In nation
like ours made up of all classes and con
Editions of men, coming as they do
from all parts of the known world it
lis not only wise but necessary to take
la view of the past, to retell the story
Fof former days, that each citizen may
become familiar with the history of his
native land or adopted country. The
person who does not take an interest in
Ehis country's history is unworthy of
1t is not easy for those who have
lived in this most favored of all lands
during recent years to realize what the
peace and prosperity which we enjoy
cost our fathers. 1t is very fitting that
we should gather around their graves to