The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1908-07-09


vessels, but you are well aware that
sailing vessels enabled persons to dis
cover America. You know that water
crafts promoted the growth and preg-
ress of the settlements of early days;
and of those settlers the poet pays q
tribute:
"Rude tho our life, It suits our spirit,
Andnew born States in future years
Shall own US founders of a nation,
And bless the hardy pioneers
Again it was the ships that contrib
uted principally toward insuring the
successes of early Americas marvellous
progress-the progress that aroused the
malignant envy of European powers.
1t was that envious attitude of foreign
nations which caused America to stand,
figuratively speaking, on the scale of
Fate. This fact was occasioned by
dictatorial policies Of Great Britain
which caused Americans to revenge
multiplied wrongs by severing them
selves from foreign rule. And Of all
the points capable of enabling you to
conscientiousIy decide this debate none
is 50 worthy of consideration as the
factor which reversed the scales of
fate in favor of America; the factor
which made possible the independence
of this nation; the factor which assured,
guarded, and preserved the best inter-
ests of our country, enabling Ameri-
cans to free themselves from yokes of
foreign tyranny that factor was war
ships.
Tuu may have read OF the Greeks,
thru love of liberty, repnlsing the hordes
of Persian invaders; of the Swiss and
Dutch humbling the Austrians: and
read of the tyrannous treatment of
Scottish natives; but can you conceive
of more applaudable scene than ships
eight small warships, sallying forth
to face the British Navy consisting of
112 ships, carrying 3.714 guns; winning
conflict after conflict on the high seas,
prompted not by probable mercenary
spoils, nor by mere love of conquest
but only to establish a government
of the people by the people.
On October 18th, 1776, naval battle
was fought OH Lake Champlain Of
which an authority says: "Of the re-
suits of the light few words must be
written, because their value to the
Americans was well-nigh inestimable
under the circumstances" This battle
resulted in: "The most glorious defeat
in the annals of the American navy,
saved the nation from an invasion
that would have severed it in twain,
and probably whelmed its forces in
utter defeat"
Meanwhile history is replete with
such instances as Washington crossing
the Delaware, in small boats, surprising
the enemy-and, let me add, such use
Of boats, together with the navy
gradually resulted in establishing-for.
ever-the independence of America
We might erect golden monument to
the heroes of the world, Theseus, OF
. Lycurgus, Romulus, of Numa, Caeser
. of Roman fame, the three Williams Of
|, Nassau, Nelson of England-yes, the
, hundreds of famous men; and ther
: place in conspicuous notch the name
Of John Paul Jones, of whom poet
said:
/. ''G0 on, great man, to scourge the foe.
And bid the naughty Britons know
They to our thirteen stars shall bend;
The stars that clad in dark attire.
Song glimmered with feeble fire
But radiant now ascend"
: Indeed the poets might well tune
+ their lyrics for having gained recogni
/ tion as world power, owing to sue
J: cessful naval encounters, a new felt
i was opened up to this nation-com
% merce with the world; incidently ship
d sailed from American ports carrying
3. the nations flag that once unfurled il
q other lands has ever been respected
+ Dark and innumerable were th'
d clouds that have threatened our nation
q but land unparalleled in every re
ls spect has been created from the chao
3 Of tyranny and early invasions. Hum
70 lbly we bow our heads to those six men