The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1907-12-27
From Thursdays Daily.

with Sheridan at Winchester, twenty
miles away. They stood in front OF
Vicksburg, and plunged into the val
ley of death at Gettysburg They
: fought at Mobile and Antietem, climb.
ed Missionary Ridge and barred their
breasts at Cold Harbor and Shiloh,
finally bringing up at x
General Lee surrendered his sword and
General Grant gave untterance to that
historic remark, LET us have peace"
Reception to Commander.
Yesterday and last evenings events
were important in the annals of the
local Grand Army of the Republic
post. The visit of Colonel George A.
Whitney, department commander,
brought out. the veterans in large
numbers. They received Colonel Whit
ney when he arrived from the west on
the Omaha train and escorted him to
the Clifton hotel, where reception
was held and he was entertained at
supper. Many Grand Army men called
and paid their respects.
The campfire was the pleasant and
profitable event of the evening. a
large audience was in the hall when
the program was opened by Rev. w.
5. Emery, who offered prayer for
the speedy recovery of the Wilkin
post commander, f. r. Kennedy. A
vocal selection by Miss Locken, with
Miss Goodwin as accompanist, was
we'll received. The Union school
chorus, under the direction of Miss
Beatty, sang nicely and responded to
an encore.
Rev. B. V. Black, pastor of the
Christian church, was introduced. He
related several anecdotes which put
the crowd in pleasant frame of
mind. In his more serious re,
marks he said he was not in SYM
pathy with war, but he would not
say that nothing good has ever come
from war. Progress has been traced
from war. War is character making.
1t develops three qualities of man:
Patriotism, bravery and individuality.
The call of today is not to arms, but
it is a bloodless and unceasing war
against graft. The old soldier stands
as the highest ideal and an example
of the true patriot.
Address By Commander.
A nicely-rendered solo By Miss Mil
bred Fritz was followed by the in
PRODUCTION OF Colonel Whitney, the de-
partment commander, who said that
he felt more at home in Mankato
than he did in many other places
he has visited because he was fortu-
nate in his acquaintance here. He
spoke of several gentlemen who had
lived in his former home, Wadena,
referring particularly to DIR. Halves,
Charles Bennett and j. f. Reynolds,
whom he referred to affectionately as
"Joe." Commander Whitney paid a
nice tribute to Colonel William
Thomas, whom he designated as one
of the best fellows on earth. The
commander and the colonel had at
tended encampments together and had
enjoyed each others society often.
General and Mrs. Baker came in for
some nice compliments as did Mrs.
Fritz who presided over the meeting
so gracefully.
The Woman's Relief corps was COM
plimented by the commander for its
magnificent work in raising more than
$1,000 which went far to furnish the
home for the wives of the veterans
at Minnehaha. Colonel Whitney spoke
gracefully of Dr. +. j. Davis, the
surgeon at the Soldiers Home, say
ing that he was the best surgeon the
home ever had. DIR. Davis never
forgets the services the old soldiers
have rendered their country.
Commander Whitney thanked the
clergymen for their presence at the
meeting. Their service to the people
was of character not to be under
estimated. Their influence always
should be exercised on the right side
They had honored themselves by be-
ing present. All the old soldiers are
honorable no matter how humble their
circumstances.
Proud of Minnesota Soldiers.
Commander Whitney was proud of
the men who went. from Minnesota in
to the army. But few of them were
native sons, but they were the flower
of the eastern states. They made
splendid soldiers. Their valor was
the comment of the country. The conf.
lnander spoke eloquently of the charge
of the First Minnesota at Gettysburg
and the great loss of life. That charge
has not had its equal. The attack at
Balsklava did not compare with 1t. in
effectiveness.
Commander Whitney spoke eloquent
ly OF the old soldiers who have oc.
cupied positions of honor and trust
in Minnesota. The gubernatorial chair
has been filed by many of them, but
lie was of the opinion that no more
old soldiers would occupy that posi-.
tion. Younger men are coming to the
front to assume those responsibilities
and lift froth the shoulders of the
older men official burdens. In this
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