The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1916-01-28

Mapleton celebrated the one hun
dredth and fifty seventh anniversary
of Robert Burns on Tuesday, January
25, in the good old fashioned way,
and although owing to, the exceeding
mildnesS of the weather, the Ice had
been spoiled for curling and the usu-
al bonspiel could not be held, there
was enough other amuSementS to
keep the merrymakers busy, and the
town was thronged with visitors and
the home people, everyone thorough
ly enjoying the gala day. The eXer-
cises at the opera house began at
1880, and splendid program was
given. The opening overture was
played by the Princess orches-
ira of Wells, which played in an ex-
ceptionally brilliant manner. An ap-
propriate address Of welcome was
delivered by Mayor Pagel, whose re-
remarks were appropriate and in good
taste. P. NJ. Ferguson Of this city
delivered a fitting response.
Response BY Mr.. Ferguson.
Mr.. Ferguson, who is a true son of
Scotland, spoke as follows:
Friends and Brother Scots:
take an especial pleasure in being
selected to acknowledge the gener-
Gus welcome we have received from
the chief executive of Mapleton. Mr..
Mayor, the members of the Burns
club through me wish to assure you
and through you the citizens of
Mapleton of their appreciation OF
your generous welcome and we hope
we will merit the liberties extended
to us so much that you will extend
the same hearty welcome a year
hence. During the past seven years
l have been a member of the Burns
club, we have always held our an
nual gatherings at Mapleton and l
hope we will continue to do so in
the future.
Some time ago I was approached
by member Of the Burns club who
asked ne if it would be possible to
arrange for the annual gathering of
the Burns club at Mankato. This
happened about the time your opera
house was closed, or something to
that effect, and he feared that We
would not have a hall to meet in
another year at Mapleton. "
Rather Meet in MapIeton.
81 remember telling him at the
time that L was sure Mankato would
be very much pleased to secure this
annual event but that / was not in
favor of a change and if at all pos
sible to continue the meetings here
at Mapleton.
"The Burns club has met at Maple
ton each year l believe from its in
ception, and the city Of Mapleton and
the Burns club have become so close
ly identified with each other that l
think it would be detrimental to both
to divorce them. Then too, I think
we owe it to the hardy Scotch pio
neers who organized this club to meet
here where they spent their best eff
forts in the behalf of this commu-
nifty | believe that the organizers of
the club had in mind wider field for
it's activities than simply paying
homage to our beloved Burns. l be-
lieve that they intended that this an
nual event was to provide an oc-
casion when the community as a
whole could gather together and ex-
change the hearty greetings and
friendly handclasps eXemplifying that
celebrated quotation: When man to
man the world over will brothers be
for Aw that and Aw that
Are Americans First.
Sand now, friends, as we digress
today from our different vocations
in life to pay homage to Burns let
us be mindful of the other purpose
of this occasion and renew old ac-
quaintances and make few new
ones having in mind at all times that
while we are Scotchmen yet to pay
homage to our foremost countryman
we are American citizens first, last
and always.
Again let me refer to this beauti-
full and progressive city whose homes
have been opened wide to receive and
entertain us It is my earnest wish
that the Burns club meet here an
nually and indefinitely at least until
we are assured we are not welcome,
Nd offo 1;cL0 ~