The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-09-26


one. he said, has been more re-
sponsible for the good things which
have sbeen In, my life than John A.
Johnson, and I owe no one indi-
vidual more than do him. He
brought knowledge to me of many
beautiful and joyful things, and his
personality and service were a great
inspiration to me.
These two things were RESPONSE.
BILE for his success. Neither one
alone could win for man so great
a success. He also taught to me the
lesson of being kind, and it was
worth more than all the other les
sons / ever learned. This meeting
means nothing unless we can dedi.
cate our lives to service as he did.
] want to leave this thought with
you, Minnesota is greater today be-
cause of the service of such men
as John A. Johnson"
Fred B. Lynch, democratic national
committeeman, spoke Of the splendid
traits of character possessed by John
Albert Johnson. Few men are loved
as he was loved" said Mr.. Lynch,
"and no other man in the state was
ever loved SO much. He had great
desire for knowledge and he rose
above the mass. He worked hard,
and he took his degree in patience,
kindness, industry and efficiency in
the school of life. His nature gave
affection and demanded it In return.
"All the logic of politics pointed
toward the fact that he would have
been nominated for president, and
would have been elected at the last
election. He was progressive man
and took an active part in all the
leading political and public gather
ings of the country. He had great
ability as speaker and had no
superiors and few equals. The lesson
of his life is this. the highest honor
is given to him who lives right,
worships God, loyes his fellowmen
and believes in the equality of ALL
All Loved Him. .
,.
John Albert Johnson but to love
him." said Senator Collier of Shake.
pee, "his frank, manly. charitable
and generous qualities made him be-
loved. He served the people Of the
state well. He was, not bound by
party ties and was free, from party
prejudices. His devotion to the peo
pie has crowned him for all the peo-
pie, from all the people and by all
the people.
st is fitting that statue of him
should be placed here among his
neighbors who had faith in him. 1t
lis dedicated by his neighbors and
friends and is a tribute to his
achievements"
Closing Address Ey Mr.. o'Erien.
CD. O'Brien, the man who con-
ceived the idea of the state memorial
and started the movement of secur-
ing fund for the ST. Paul Johnson
memorial the day after, the funeral
of Governor Johnson, gave the clos
ing address of the afternoon. Eve
are here to consider the. memory of
a great and good man.. This dedica-
ton is worthy and creditable
movement. No other locality in the
state has given SO many executives
as ST. Peter. Z The capitol was taken
from the city by fraud, but five men
from this city have been chief exec
utives of the state.
"The brief life and brief public
service of Governor Johnson was
unique in this country. The struggle
of the youth for himself and his
family, and of the mother, who was
so brave, is beautiful story. The
mother Of this man must have had
beautiful soul, and she is, in her
son, in possession of the full reward
for her struggle. Johnson's love and
charity for his fellowmen were
strong characteristics. 1t is singu.
lar thing that he lived and died un.
selfish. He was broad and manly
and he never sought public office but
was called to it. This monument
has been erected as an evidence of
a good, unselfish and worthy life
Closed With Eenedction.
The ceremony was closed with a
benediction by DR.. Oh. Johnson OF
Gustavus Adolphus college.
The. streets and business houses In
st. Peter were decorated with many
American flags and pictures of the
man whom the citizens of that city
We're honoring, and there were many
people from nearby towns present
for the dedicatory exercises,
The commission which had the pur,
chase of the memorial and the col
lection of the money for it's purchase
was composed of Senator Benson, H
L. Stark, Judge Henry Moll, George
w. Mason and H.. J. Essler. These
men did their work well and com
pletely and expended about $4,000 fo1
the monument. The fund was al
raised easily and there was but a
few dollars in the commission
treasury after paying the indebted
| ness.
From Mondays Daily.
Mrs. George SHINING, residing
with her husband ON a farm four.
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