The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1918-05-30
Honoring The Dead
Continued from page one.)

sole cause and aim. We could recognize
the futility of it all but it was not for us to
interfere. Natures most immutable law is
that its creatures rise and live by their own
efforts and suffering and that success and
blessing are most enduring that are achiey-
ed alone. So, as long as it is personal
affair, it is the better part to let nations as
we'll as individuals work their way to def
mite and abiding station in life.
But this part was not ours to play. An
other Inflated day brought to our very doors
that antithesis of love-hate and its selfish
purpose. There swept around the world a
blight of insidious intrigue, hateful in
huence, objectionable acts, so bestial and
horrifying as to be almost unthinkable.
1t threatened, not the liberties of small
group of people here or there, nor to abri-
trarily annex some small and isolated por-
ton of the earth's surface, but it endangered
the liberty of all the worlds free and it set
forth sinister purpose to wipe out every
boundary line of freedom the centuries had
established.
Could the American people stand calmly
aside and permit such an evil thing to live?
Could we permit Hate to dominate those
blessings and prerogatives Love, through
American blood and lives, had established
and maintained in this land of ours. Was
Christ's ultimate sacrifice on Calvary s
sacred ground to at last be proven vain and
uselessl And the years of faithful adherence
to His principles and plans-were they to
count as naught?
Never could such a thing be! Yet we
did not let spirit of vain glory or ag
grandizement or revenge influence our
actions.~ The history that is now in the
making will ever proclaim our single mind
ed choice and steadfast purpose Only
when, as in other years, every other hope
and effort had proved of no avail did this
nation accept the challenge of Hate. We
have never hesitated through fear of self or
possessions. Our thought has been always
occupied with how best we might serve hu-
manity. And to this end we have thrown
into the conflict all we are and all we have
We can gain, and we seek no material re-
ward. We shall give and suffer and die that
Love may conquer Hate and the victories
we win will be the heritage future gener-
atoms will have at our hands-their part to
cherish and preserve the Love we save for
them.
Let us never forget Love. This principle
that is so intricately interviewer with the
memories and purposes Memorial Day calls
before us. Let us remember that for Love
we wage terrible war today; that for Love
we need sacrifice and suffer and die. Once
more-and let our firm purpose to make it
the last time never falter-once more we
need to give to the uttermost to preserve
this most priceless heritage Of man.
We must not believe that we are warning
against the Turk, the German, or any of
the barbarian hordes now let lose to prey
upon peace loving men and women. Not
even against the Kaiser who stands as the
heart and brain of this foul monster of evil
and destruction are we arrayed. We must
remember that in this world are only two
forces that actuate men-Love and Hate
And as guardians of Love it is on Hate and
its selfish purpose that we war. Only as
we hold loyal to this Love may our cause
continue righteous and our will equal to
the sacrifice and effort we may be called up
on to make.
So, it is not necessary to recount the das-
tardly wrongs the legions of evil and hate
visited on other people. Their disregard
for the weak, the helpless, the noble, the
beautiful, the useful, while holding us horri-
fed and aghast, have become but Incl
dents in the course of our advancing pur-
pose. The terrible wickedness and wanton
cruelty will ever blot the pages of history
but out of this travail will be born anew the
Love that has ever been and is now the only
hope of men.
We must remember that only out of pain
and suffering, toll and striving can noble,
beautiful, useful things attain being. The
acorn Is torn assunder and dies that the
mighty oak may give its shade and strength
and service. The forces of nature shake
and rend the face of the earth that here may
stand the mountain in all its sublime digni-
ty; and there may rest the canyons wonder
full grandeur; and yonder crash the water
falls majestic splendor. The sculptor
spares not the marble, for only by its mutt
lation may the work of art and beauty stand
forth. The pearl is but the tear of the
wounded oyster while the diamond is the
bit remaining of the tortured carbon. And
man? Who but the mothers of men may
voice that suspense. fear, final agony and
pain without which Gods greatest handi-
work may not gain life and light of dayi
1t is not for us to shrink from the pain
and anguish this fell strife has brought up
on us. This is but the travail precursing
the rebirth of that mighty principle
for which those whom this Day commence
rates and honors gladly sacrificed their all.
1t is for us TO offer and do no less Our