The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-02-19
PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS
Rendered FITTING TRIBUTE
To MEMORY OF HONEST ABE

surface, Lincoln. was not then formu-
lating those ideas in regard to the
debate with Douglas. "a house divided
against itself cannot stand. l believe
this government cannot endure perma-
nently, half slave and half free; l do
not expect the house to fall but 1 do
expect it will cease to be divided. It
will become all one thing or all the
other"
While we are interested in the whole
career of Lincoln, which shows an I'M
firing diligence and perseverance that
should be an example to every AmerI-
can boy, and lead him to nobler and
more patriotic aspirations, it is those
stirring days from 81 to '65 to which
shall refer.
on April 18th. 1861. the rebel batter
lowed the crash which shook the con-
tnent and thrilled the civilized world.
Two days later, Major Anderson low
cred the Stars and Strips and hoisted tho
Sunday Lincoln called for seventy-five
thousand volunteers to defend the union.
War was inevitable; the whole country
trembled with the war spirit; towns,
villages, factories and farms poured out
in answer to Lincoln's call to crush the
rebellion.
Then followed those years of bloodshed
and turmoil, the ceaseess strife and
struggle, the never ending train of
wounded from the front, the successes
and defeats the imperishable conflicts
vi oilllOll, AHJletdm ana GeILySDurSS
and throughout ALL Lincoln, always the
master of the occasion, the same kindly
Lincoln of yore, still firm in his belief
in the people and in the nation.
What q glorious day to the North,
when the news of Appomatox was re-
ceiVed. The people were wild with joy,
for now peace was assured and the UNI
ion still remained firm. The rejoicing
of the nation had just expressed itself,
when Lincoln. whose name was in every
mouth, was asSassinated at the hands of
a fanatic
Who can imagine what his trials and
labors had been throughout the war. Day
after day he had struggled onward,
thinking only of the welfare of his
ountry No heart bore more sorrow, no
mind was oppressed with more anxiety
than his. He had brought his people
safely through a civil war; he had
freed the slave, yet death came to him
in the hour of his glory.
Veterans, throughout our union today.
the members of your glorious organiza-
ton are joining with those of the
younger generation, that due homage
server of this nation, of which we are
so justly proud. 1t is fitting and proper
that we should do this and each year,
we look forward to this day, when we
prime, when you fought and bled for
the preservation of the union and the
Emancipation of the slave. No more fit
ting tribute can ! give you on this ocea-
sion, than that which Lincoln gave when
he was talking of the I'VE can't
fail with men like that. Make all the
mistakes we can, they'll make up for
EN-. The hope of this war is in the
common soldiers, not in the generals.
not in the war department. not in me.
It's the boys
of the Republic. because of the sacrifices
YOU have made in that Civil War, we
welcome you, proud to have you with
us on this occasion, and we wish that
a. <.fl ~
perity may attend you, that you may be
spared for many years to recall with
us the tender memories of our comrade
and protector, Abraham Lincoln.
Hon, L. T. Champlin of the Grand
Army made the address of the morn
ing.
Address BY Mr.. Champlin.
Professor Mcconnell introduced Hon.
e. 7. Champlin, who in response
represented the Grand Army of the
Republic, and the visitors. Mr.. Champ
lin was first lieutenant, Company .,
Third Minnesota Volunteers, and was
on General Andrews staff, in the Mo
bile campaign under General Steel. His
speech was full of earnestness Tor
the man whose name is being COM
memorated today and of patriotism
for the stars and stripes under which
he himself had fought. Mr.. Champiin
said:
All over our great land, the people
irrespective of nationalities, religions
or political affiliations, or of social or
financial standing are defeating this
day, the one hundredth anniversary
of the birth of Abraham Lincoln to
the honor and glory of his great name.
This is especially true of the schools
of our country in which unusual ex-
ercises are now being held i'll city
in village and country from Atlantic
to Pacific, in order to properly set
forth the life and character of one of
the noblest and grandest of men that
the world has ever produced. 1t is
said that history repeats itself and we
today are but following precedents
long established and in the footsteps
of predecessors, for as far back as
written history extends, even beyond,
in that remote past we have abundant
proof that the people of all nations
and of al climes have been moved by
the same impulses and actuated by
the same motives that characterized
the patriotic instructors of the schools
of Mankato in bringing about this
highly appropriate and interesting
meeting.
Temples have been constructed, mon
uments have been erected and statues
have been raised in commemoration of
the illustrious dead.
All along the pathway of civiliza-
ton to the present day this charac-
teristic of the human family is mani
fest, but how strangely do these ply
steal works contrast with the COM
memorative, patriotic and highly APP
proprate ceremonies SO general to-
day, as a tribute of affection to the
noble life of Abraham Lincoln. He
needs no monument to insure his fame
and renown in ages to come, for in
his life work for his country and hui
mainly he has constructed monu-
ment in the hearts of his country,
men, more enduring than granite or
bronze and his great deeds will be