The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1919-09-19

hearts OF her people as IL docs lcuay'
for did we not see with our own eyes
and understand in our own hearts
how brave American men really are.
How brave men are willing to set all
other things aside and place their
hearts blood in the interest and IN
the life of America. We saw the
flower OF our young manhood leave
home, turn aside from that which Is
most sweet and intimate in life; saw
them surrender their own individu-
atty, rights and privileges without re-
garding the cost to themselves and
go to check the onrushing horde OF
destruction which makes us under
stand with an enlightened understand
ing, as never before the value put up
on liberty and the privilege Of being
free American citizens"
Peace Is Ready.
peace is ready, its terms are be-
ing discussed and we all enter into
the heart felt hope that the fondest
ambition of the League of Nations
may be realized. We breathe today
the yigcr and freshness of new
world and what is more fitting than
to welcome home again the men who
wrote the peace pact. The men whom
we are so proud to greet today are the
men who wrote, signed and sealed the
peace pact at Versailles. That pact
was signed before it was written. 1t
was signed when the names of you
men were inscribed on the muster
roll of the greatest army Of all time.
1t was signed when you sailed across
the treacherous ocean, and fought side
by side on the battlefield that will
echo down the ages with your fame,
and it was sealed in rich American
blood, fed on liberty, the blood that
has never known craven fear or de-
feat. We know full well that you
would check the foe in the tradition
al American army style. That you
would straighten out the bending line,
and the break would take place on the
ether side We knew it would not
take long to change the place OF
backs to the WALL to- stonewall
front. Oh, it is good to greet you here
today, and the home folks are consci-
Gus of the great service you did your
country. We are so grateful to you
boys"
Followed the Soldiers.
1--WE followed your movements with
throbbing hearts" said Father Col
bert. Through the great adventure,
and our interest will be no less great
as you walk the ways of peace. You
forced the world to have saner view,
and may we not look to you then to
lead us all back to 2 fuller sympathy,
and to feel responsible for the very
things that you fought for, the very
things that now are taking up our
attention, lead lis and help us to get
the vision that transformed you into
our own world heroes. There is moth
ing more fitting than for Us to conse-
crate ourselves to the work before us.
We should call into play qualities
worthy of freemen, qualities of Amer
leans who truly love America" de-
clared the speaker.
Father Colbert summed UP the cap
italistic system of today which strikes
at the root of social well being, which
seeks to control and influence pub
lie opinion, election, civil and nation
al actions. A system that should be.
controlled not by socialism but by
Christian democracy.
Profitecring also received bitter
word. The speaker voiced the. senti-
ment when he said that the right
principles have been almost entirely
disregarded and it is duty prompted
by patriotism as well as the humanity
and religion to right this most serious
problem, it is high time to recognize it
rs an evil and find proper remedy
for it.
81 place great hope in the American
Legion, for in this organization from
which we will all derive much inspira :,
tion, we shall seek and find right,
likewise / am convinced the great
heart of America is honest, and there
are no people in the world willing to
go so far in the way of right and
honor and honesty as our American
people. And when fully aroused to
the situation / am convinced that the
great American populace will stand up
for what is right, and we will stand
united 1OC 100000 strong and will crush
this and every other evil that seeks
u.s." Father Colbert said.
Between the speeches the Fifth
Regimental band gave selections and
the crowd all joined in community
singing led by Miss Cornelia Mans
field assisted by Mrs e. W. Owen and
Mrs. Mamie Skuse Gerlach. The pro-
gram was concluded by the national
song and every Soldier snapped to his
feet and stood at attention.
At the conclusion of the program
the people of Madison Lake and vicin-
ity who had gathered for the homo
coming gave rising vote of thanks
to the speakers, musicians and others
who helped to make the day sue
cess.
llllnNlI Alll EAn mi lOC