The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1907-12-27
Old SOLDIERS RALLY 'R0UND FLAG;
HOLD AB|G CAMPFIRE LAST NIGHT
COMMANDER GEORGE A. WHITNEY ON A VISIT TO
WILkIN POST, Gu r.
Excellent Program Carried Out Hail. Address by Head Of Depart
ment Several Local Orators Furnish Feast; Musical
Numbers Add to Occasion.

johnson.
| Before concluding his address Thu
commander paid fitting compliment
to the ladies. When many of tn,
soldiers were about to engage in bat
tie their feet wanted to 60 the Other
way, but the thoughts of their wives
and sweethearts, the dearest girls thai
ever lived, caused their feet to turr
to the front. They could not b.
/ towards while the faces of their dear
ones were before them. The towards
run across the line into Canada. They
We're the "skedadlers." Those mer
could never have built up such great
state as Minnesota.
| J. f. Reynolds, former towns
man of Commander Whitney, said
that when the war was raging he
was member of that vast army
known as the infantry in arms
and his strongest weapon was the
nursing bottle. He was glad to be
among those to extend welcome to
Commander hitney.
Miss Bessie Dodds sang two Scotch
songs An charming manner.
Remarks By Dr.. Kerfoot.
DR.. s. f. Kerfoot, presiding elder
of the Methodist church, was proud
to be one of those to pay honor
to the distinguished visitor. There was
a great deal in comradeship and such
gatherings could only have beneficial
effect ON those who attended them.
He had had an opportunity to look
over the soldiers of foreign countries
and was pleased to say that the regi-
ments in this country are the best
looking of any in the world A man
can be proud of being an American
The American flag is respected every
where. The old soldiers laid the foun-
/, dation for the greatness of this eoun-
/, try. He was born in that country
where the "skedadlers" went during
the war, but he had sense enough to
come to this country. The veterans
stand as the incarnation of that pat
! riotic spirit which sent them to the
, front to battle for country. They
put the courage into us that compels
our legs to run the right way.
Superintendent j. NJ. Mcconnell OF
the public schools traced the history
]of wars in America, and said that
this country is now in need of an
educated and intelligent American
citizenship as much as ever it was
People have been paying too much at.
tention to self interests and not
enough to those matters which con.
Germ all the people. In the public
schools the lesson of public and pri.
vate honesty is being taught. Patriot.
ism also is being ineulcated in the
minds and hearts of the young, and
the Grand Army of the Republic has
done great deal to- assist in this
work, and Mr.. Mcconnell requested
that organizations further co-opera-
tion along the same line.
a piano selection which included a
number of national airs was beauti.
fully played on the piano by Mrs
| Girvin.
Rev. f. III. Willisford was the next
| speaker He would allow no man to
supercede him in his respect and hon.
or for the old soldiers. He in com
mon with the others present was glad
to do homage to the guest of the
Il
evening. Such gatherings tend to in
crease our love and patriotism for
country. The spirit of patriotism in
l776 which brought on the war then,
was constructive instead of destruc-
tive. 1t meant the building up of a
new country. The war of 1861 was
constructive. 1t meant the building
up of a stable government. The old
soldiers service to the country was
to further instill patriotism in the
people.
Miss Schippel sang a solo in a
manner that pleased the audience.
Rev. w. S. Emery was called on.
He spoke briefly but eloquehtiy of
the great service rendered to the coun-
| try by the soldiers, and they were
entitled to every kindly considefa.
tion. Some of the old soldiers may
have fallen into bad habits, but he
could write their good deeds In let.
tiers that never could be dimned.
Adjutant Towne of Worthinaton
was introduced. He Kept the crowd
in good humor for a brief period with
his witty remarks. Mr.. Towne re-.
ferred feelihgly to the late Colonel
Tourtellotte, who, he said, was one of
the bravest soldiers in the War of
the Rebellion.
Mrs. Perry Starkweather OF Min
Ineapolis was introduced as tbs woman
mho succeeded In getting through the
Legislature the bill which appr0pri.
ated the money for the erection OF The
womah's building at the Soldiers
Home. Mrs.. StafkWeather Ii d bright,
energetic woman and as full of. Wit
as a nut is of meat. SHE tan talk
almost every dialect known and she
put tile finishing touches ON one Of
the, best camp fires. ever held by
Wilkin post.
Before the. meeting was closed,
Thomas I1odson moved that greetings
be sent to: the commander, E. II.
Kennedy, at Rochester. This vas
carried by a rising vote,