The Mankato free press., 1918-06-14

mlnueSOta Lake OpeHeu us gates
to the world yesterday. 1t was the
second day of the twelfth annual
convention of the Southern Minnesota
Firemen's Tournament association.
The home fremen were hosts to all
the companies of Southern Minnesota,
but 1t was also known as Governors
day when the whole of Southern Mime
sofa sent representatives to do hon
or to the chief executive, j. A. A..
Burnquist. Word passed over the
wire that the governor and party
were en- route from Mankato escort
ed by the Sixth Battalion band and
Company C in charge of Major j. "A
Lewis. At Mapleton they were join
ed by more home guards so that
about fifty cars were in line. They
arrived at Minnesota Lake via the M.
W. A. trail. The roads were good.
the weather man having called off
the rain just in time.
At Minnesota Lake just at the very
county line, the Wells and Minnesota
Lake home guards and visiting COM
pany< of firemen with Minnesota Lake
and Wells bands were in line await
ing the governors party.
The streets and residents of Min
nesota Lake. had been decorated in
the Red, White and Blue. Large flags
were hung across the streets and a
large welcome" greeted the visitors
on Front street. 49,
The parade formed at once at the
north entrance to the town and swept
down from where the governors car
was given cheer after cheer by the
crowd who thronged the sidewalks.
The military band headed the pfo-
eession followed by Major ]. A. Lew
is of Mankato in charge of the diyi
tion of Company C. all in the KHAKI
uniforms.
The Wells band followed with the
Wells home. guard, Minnesota Lake
band and Minnesota Lake contingent
If home guard.
The governors car was decorated
n the national colors. 1t contained
Governor Burnquist who was kept
busy acknowledging the bursts of ap-
,lause. Adjutant General Rhinow of
st. Paul. Judge Vance of Blue Earth,
Judge Dean of Fairmont, Mayor Cole
If Minnesota Lake and Karl Kramer
Minnesota Lake at the wheel. AS
the home guard halted to lettthe ex-
scutiye car pass the military band
played Hail to the Chief"
The several visiting firemen acted
rs rear escort, being followed by citi-
zens in cars.
1 After dinner. which was served to
he visitors and party blythe Evange1i
cal church, the line of march was
again formed and the band led the
way to the school grounds where seats
had been placed and large stage
erected. AS a back ground two beau
.iful flags We're draped against the
building.
The governor followed by his par
ty were greeted by rounds of ap-.
Dlause as they appeared upon the
stage. The escort formed groups
about the large audience of more
Many were standing up in autos near
by.
Governor Was introduced.
\. Almost Immediately Mayor Cole of
Minnesota Lake introduced J. A. A.
Burnquist, governor of Minnesota.
That the people expected mes
sage was evident by the close atten-
ton they paid to the speaker. They
were not disappointed as Burnquist
was at his best and said in part:
Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen: 1t
is a great pleasure for me to be with
you today as YOU are gathered here
for your Southern Minnesota Fire
mems meeting. / also note with pleas
ure the. ma'nhers of the home guard
for it signifies that we live in state
which believes in law and order.
These men represent the state and will
never be called out except for just
cause. We as. . state demand order
of our citizens. We realize if we give
to the individual too much liberty he
becomes dangerous. He must be re-
stricted for the good of all.
"I am pleased to meet the firemen.
They fight fire. We have fight of fire
on today. We must stand together to
put out the confagration. We must set
aside everything. We ought to stand
back OF our state, our government, our
great president Woodrow Wilson.
''It is a pleasure to travel about our
state and find how loyal and enthusi-
astic people are. Not many are disloyal.
People are beginning to know that this
war was deliberately provoked by the
great German war lord. 1t was pro-
voked just as former wars were started.
This war in which we are engaged was
provoked when all the other nations did
not want to fight. The German nation
was ready for war by generations of
preparations, bought grain, accoutre-s
ments of war and made preparations of
all kinds and when everything was com
pleted the war was started. They want
1Y ND Gn1 hnIn xxya <a11
stand together and give these war lords
all the war they want.