Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 122, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 June 1917 — Major George Healey Aska For Recruits in Porter County. [ARTICLE]

Major George Healey Aska For Recruits in Porter County.

Valparaiso Vidette. Is Valparaiso and "Porter countyless patriotic than many of the other counties of the state where national guard companies are stationed? The registration Tuesday showed 834 of conscription age in Center township. If the estimate of 36 per cent as free from dependencies and other exemptions is near correct, there are almost 300 in -Center township that are reasonably sure to be drawn in the combatant forces in the present crisis. In Porter county there are probably about 800. Company L will probably be the only organized unite representing the county. Its strength will be 150. Some of its present members are not residents of the county, but this fact makes it less exhaustive within the county. Surely, .with 800 to <V aw from, Porter county should be one of the foremost in the state to bring its company to war strength. It should be a matter of pride to know that the county was represented by a company composed altogether of volunteers, but at this time the company lacks half of the required number. Two weeks ago, at Rensselaer, a countrywide patriotic meeting wa; held. It was addressed by Secretary of State Ed Jadkson, and the people arose to the spirit of the occasion and within two weeks there were 57 recruits, stalwart young men, who will show their devotion to their country in whatever fields they are asiked to serve. Possibly a meeting of this kind would prove effective. There are many advantages in going out with a home organization. The fact that the company will remain together throughout the service, that members of the company will keep in closer touch with the old home, the firmer ties of friendship that bind them, the consequent better care of the sick and injured, coupled with the comradship that will exist after muster out of service, should 'be sufficient reason to make anyone favor a home company to the chance of being forced x o enter service in a strange unit. Before long the machinery of conscription will be at work and the demands will doubtless draw many in the service who are banking on exemotion for one reason or another. Would it not be better for the present, as well as for the future, to tender your services as a volunteer and thus stand foursquare as a patriot? If vou are ambitious, there is every ehance for promotion. The local organization will need able corporals and sergeants, and, in time, probably commissioned officers. You can get in on the ground floor here, and by starting early can qualify yourself to better serve your country. The border service of Company L was highly creditable, and the nucleus for a grand company is right here in your city. Let response to this appear to the young manhood of the county be imediate and’fulsobie. Let the men of the city and the fathers and mothers view a country’s cause from a broader view than personal sacrifices and sentiment. There should be some organization formed by patriotic men in Valparaiso that would bring the membership of Company L up to war strength in* ten days. The registration records are available for inspection, and committees could doubtless procure volunteer automobiles and by direct solicitation bring the membership up to 160 in a whirlwind campaign. Captain Thralls is giving his entire time, without pay, to the cause. Give him the help that is to prove a factor in winning this world struggle. MAJ. GEO. H. HEALEY, Rensselaer, Indiana