The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-05-14

prominent government officials paid glor-
ious tribute to the dead heroes before
thousands of assembled patriots. 1t was
event in the history of the nation that will not
soon be forgotten, and one which will stir the
heart of every true American with pride for his
country.
After the ceremonies at Brooklyn the bodies of
the fallen heroes were each shipped to their re-
spective homes, accompanied by special detail of
uniformed men. Their arrival in the cities in
which they had lived was marked by general
cessation of business. Bells were tolled, flags
hung at half mast and the remains of the brave
lads were followed to their last resting place by
thousands of men and women.
1t has often been truly said that no death can
be more glorious than to die for ones country. If
proof was ever lacking that this is true it has
been furnished in this remarkable outburst of SEN
timent which is generally shared by Americans
throughout the length and breadth of the land.
No man could wish for grander honor than has
been accorded these seventeen martyrs: no mans
family could hold memory more dear-he died
for his country, fighting for his flag.
There are many valuable lessons to be learned
from these honors paid by greatful nation to it's
fallen heroes lessons that will make better men
and women of all of us, and inspire the rising
generation with a more profound respect for the
flag and instill in their young minds higher re-
gard and deeper love for their native land To
the great family of shut-in members of society,
there is also lesson in the fact, that one of the
boys who was first to fall at Vera Cruz had for
merly served term in prison. Ten years ago a
paper in his home town devoted columns to de-
nOuncing him as depraved pervert; it magnifed
the circumstances of a crime charged against him;
it manufactured newspaper evidence which in
famed the public mind to such an extent that the
young fellow was given the extreme penalty in
state prison. He was pardoned a year later when
the true facts of the case we're presented to the
governor who was big enough to brave cOndemna-
ton at the hands of the young mans Prosecutors
Then he Joined the marines, and by faithful at
tentiOn to his duties soon advanced to be
petty officer. 1t was while leading his men
through the streets of Vera Cruz that he fell the
victim of Mexican hate
How different is his home coming. The throb-
bing pulse of the great cty's business stops beat
ing; bells toll in mournful tones; bands playing
tuneful dirges lead sorrowing thousands who fol-
low his mortal remains to the grave Instead of
cant and vituperation, the columns of the very pa
per which ten years ago sent him to prison, are
filled with praises for the heroism and the valor of
the dead marine. Yellow as it is, that papers
editor knows that he dare not even refer to the
past dark days in the hero's life. The past is
dead, and it is mercifuly allowed to rest with him
in the grave where loving hands have laid him.
WHEN the cost of Mothers Day flowers
was figured up, it was found that it would only
cost each subscriber to the fund.- thirteen cents to
pay the bill, and vouchers for that amount we're
issued and signed by every man of the six hun
dred and fourteen on the honor roll. But the