Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 May 1898 — THE VOLUNTEER [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE VOLUNTEER

BENEATH his country’s starry flag. Where thousands stood before, Prepared to fight till life shall flag And darkness gathers o’er. Garbed in his uniform of bine,. Ready to answer “Here!” A man and soldier through and through. He stands, the volunteer. ’Tls not the Joy of clashing arms That calls him to the fray, 4 ’Tls not the love of war’s alarms That bids him baste away; For him there’s pain and grief and woe. A wife—a mother’s tear, But lond his duty calls, and lo! He comes, the volunteer. O, mighty nation, prond and great,’ Of strength he is a tower! Behold him, warlike and elate. In this, your darkest hour. For you he lives, for you he’ll die. And sell his life blood dear, And glory’s gates will open on high To greet the volunteer.