The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-06-22

over 100000 German soldiers. fully armed
and equipped with the best fi-e arms and
artillery in the world. We're killing The
inoffensive Belgians and laying waste
their homes in violation of their pledge
of neutrality with that country. No
claim of necessity can ever wipe out
that blot from German autocracy The
hands of the fatherless children ard the
widowed mothers of Belgian have been
raised to heaven for protection and re-
dress. This nation is now taking part
in that redress and ! believe that redress
will come or the Stars and Stripes will
be lowered.
1--WE have gone into this contest with
no selfish motive. We don't want a
dollar of indemnity or foot of con-
quered land and if the blood of our citi-
zens. that we are obliged to spill, and
the treasures of our people we will have
to spend, will result in forever prevent
ing the cruelty OF the Turk and forever
wiping away militarism from the world,
our poSterity and the nations of the
world will bless and commemorate our
efforts.
in any of its trying struggles than at
the present time In the revolutionary
war tories were everywhere and while
the continental army was furnishing and
starving at Valley Forge and other
places. these tories were giving aid and
assistance to our. enemy. Conditions
were so serious at one time that tears
were seen running down the cheeks of
of 1912 on account of business depres-
sion. nearly half of our people were
willing to bow in submission to Eng
land. In the great civil war the So
called copperheads We're numerous, many
public men in our congress were tainted
with treason and to finance that war,
taxed the ingenuity of our best states
men. What is the condition today? Our
congress has unanimously provided ard
appropriated billions of dollars in sup
port of this struggle and nine days ago,
this nation registered their willingness
to be called in defense of their country
and If it becomes necessary in this
struggle our country can call, under the
of the manhood of this nation to de-
fend her in this great struggle.
Brother Elks, a great question has
lately been asked the people of this ma
atty and patriotism of every inhabitant
of our country. The question is this:
On which side are you? Are you in
some other flag or nation command your
loyalty? Such a question can never be
asked Elkdom. Her altar is always
covered with our flag. Every member
on receiving his degrees is given as a
memento of his journey and the Ameri-
can stamp of our order. a small silk
nag OF our country: And in this great
struggle for world democracies the mem
bers of the BENEVOLENT and Protective
Order Of Elks will be found in the front
ranks of our country's defenders waving
from their standard the purple and
white and above the purple and white
as above their altar will be waving the
flag Of equality, the flag Of freedom, the
flag that symbolizes the highest homes of
mankind, the flag of our nation-the
red. white and blue"
Was Frequently AppIauded.
Mr.. Dailey's address was punctuated
with frequent bursts of applause. Aft
er its conclusion, the entire gathering
sang the Star Spangled Banner" Miss
Skuse once more playing the accom-
paniment.
In leading the closing services of the
meeting, the exalted ruler took &C.
casion to thank all who had in any
way aided the preparations and con-.
trlbuted to the success of the celebra-
ton. He mentioned in particular
Charles H. Griebel, manager of the
opera house, who had allowed the use
of the building; the Sandon band, the
Orpheus club, the Elks' orchestra, the
speakers and other participants on the
program, the people who attended and
the committee that had managed the
preparations .
This committee consisted of Ivan
Bowen, chairman; Frank N. Hurd, f.
w. Bates, M. G.. knott, NJ. J, Hodapp
and Louis A. Huettl. ~.