Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1926-06-10

lea. Our revolutionary forefathers
the very shackles of slavery placed
upon them by an autocratic king.
They protested against fragrant
wrongs and usurpations, and en-
treated until further efforts were flu
tile. Then they unsheathed the
sword and unflinchingly fought their
way to victory.
Out of the travail of grim conflict
there was ushered into existence a
new Republic, the United States of
America
Again in 1912, when conflict with
our enemy of Revolutionary days was
renewed, and there were evil fore
holdings that the new Republic might
be crushed, even in it's embryonic
stages, brave soldiers and sailors
again came to the rescue and the
priceless possession of independence
was preserved.
In the meantime the nation de-
voted it's attention to the affairs of
development, of commerce, industry
education and it was sanguinely
hoped that peace would remain. with
out interruption.
But, more and more did it become
clear to the vision that pernicious
growth had fastened it's Shiny hold
upon the national body and that it's
removal was stern necessity or it
would inevitably destroy American
ideals, and, perhaps, the nation it.
SELF This was the curse of slavery.
War clouds lowered above the Ma
tion; rank passion obsessed the minds
and hearts of many people; secession
began and national entity hung in
the balance.
Two great issues were at stake
saving the Union as one and INSOFAR
able body, and the abolition of sla-
very.
The immortal Abraham Lincoln
was at the helm of the ship of state.
When war was inevitable, he called
for volunteers to save the Union.
The Boys in Blue" nobly responded
and hurled themselves into the fray
For four long years the combat con-
tinued and then came glorious vic
tory for the Union forces. The Ma
ton was saved from dismemberment;
the cancerouS growth of slavery was
permanently removed.
Thank god for the brave defenders
of the Union and it's emblem, the
Stars and Stripes. Let the American
people join in paying due homage to
the living and dead heroic hosts.
The ranks of the Grand Army of
the Republic and the Relief Corps are
rapidly disappearing but their &C
complishments shall live throughout
the ages.
After another period of peace and
national development, our people were
aroused by the cruel tyranny of the
Spaniards in Cuba and events, cul-
minating with the destruction of the
Maine in Havana harbor, finally
made it imperative that the United
States should intervene
The cry, Remember the Maine!'
was heard throughout the land. 1t
had no uncertain ring to it.
Happily, our brave soldiers and
sailors of the Spanish-American war
came from both sides of the Mason
and Dixon line. The sons and
grandsons of the Boys in Blue" and
the Boys in Gray" were with Dewey
at Manila bay, with Schley and Samp-
welt at San Juan Hill.
William Mckinley, former ma
jor of the United Forces, was at the
head of the Government.
The American forces won a speedy
and decisive victory and made the
bounds of freedom wider yet"
In the summer of 1914, Europe was
thrown into an orgy of terrible con-
flict. Colossal forces, numbering in
to millions, were carrying on warfare
of the most destructive nature.
Woodrow Wilson, a man of peaceful
proclivity, was at the head of our
Government and for time we main
tanned neutrality.
Finally, however, one of the rulers
of the warning nations became so un-
bearably insolent and so ruthlessly
destroyed the lives of American men,
women and children that there was
nothing left for us to do but to enter
our forces and substance into the
conflict.
Millions of our boys in khaki went
forth to do battle on the side of the
Allies. Their glorious achievements