The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1917-12-06
HAVE been asked by the
chairman of the Circle to
choose a patriotic subject
for nv tonic horo TO-DAY

NSTeNN choose a patriotic subject
lA-Ag for my topic here to-day.
And / think it only fitting at this
time when the trend of our thoughts
are universally of this great war,
that we should pay tribute to our
men and women who are looked
upon to play no small part in
bringing about a speedy and hon.
orable peace.
Further, wish to pay my re-
spects especially to the American
forces both on land and sea to the
American people in general for the
way they have answered their Gov
ernment's call in this crisis.
There is something about the
man who wears the service uni
form of our country, at times like
these that makes us thrill with
pride that we are Americans.
1t shows the patriotism of the
man, it denotes a willingness to
sacrifice their own individual self,
and all of their personal ambitions
SO that they may answer the call of
their government, to uphold the
principles which were so firmly es-
tablished by our forefathers and
which we as Americans are justly
proud.
1t has ever been the destiny of
this country to take up the sword
in defense of Life, Liberty and the
Pursuit of Happiness, and these
young men who now wear our uni
form are going forth to embla-
zon upon the horizon these
principles so that all may see that
the United States are still the
sponsors for them, and that our
country will never cease fighting
until justice and peace shall reign.
1t will vindicate their sons who are
at the bottom of the sea, it will
vindicate those comrades in arms
who have fallen on the battle front
who died like the heroes they
we're, upholding the honor and
glory of the Stars and Stripes, the
noble emblem of America.
The American soldier is the
most efficient fighting man in the
world to-day. Why? Because this
he has proven beyond a doubt, for
America has never been defeated
in warfare by any nation on earth.
consequently the American Sammy
stands supreme. But when the
heads of foreign governments come
out and herald him as the greatest
fighting man in the world, even
after their own troops have prov
en- their mettle in this world COM
bat, then we can plainly see that it
is no illusion on our part that our
fighting man is supreme.
Our soldiers are representing the
greatest people and the greatest
country that Gods bright sun ever
shone on.
Now, as to the American people.
There has been charges that the
patriotism of the country was on
the wane, and that the people were
not behind their government.
There never was more dastardly
falsehood spoken. for the people
have come forth to stand by their
country and its principles in her
hour of need, the same now as
they have done in the past and
even more so. Has not America
in the present crisis sent her sons
straight to the trenches? Yes, but
she has not stopped there. Has
she not also taken upon herself the
burden of feeding almost the en-
tire world? Has she not also sent
her millions to be used against the
enemy in defense of her principlesg
Do you want more evidence than
what you have seen during the
past few months when the entire
country from one end to the other
has answered in no unmistakable