Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 147, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 June 1918 — SAVE, SAVE, SAVE, SAYS SERGEANT [ARTICLE]

SAVE, SAVE, SAVE, SAYS SERGEANT

SERGEANT BISSET MAKES POWERFUL PLEA FOR WAR SUPPORT. There was a targe crowd at the Gayety theatre Friday evening to hear the address of Sergeant Charles E. Bisset. Sergeant Bisset has seen active strenuous service in Prance, having been entrenched near Ypres for more than ten months. He is a native Canadian, but is no longer in the service, having been incapaciated for duty by a severe attack of trench fever. In .the first part of his address he makfes a most powerful plea for subscription for War Savings Stamps. One of his striking statements shows the enormous amount of money that is to be expended. The amount necessary to carry on the war for the next twelve months is estimated to be more than $23,000,000,000. This is more money than was spent in the army since the Declaration of Independence, which period included six wars, the Revolutionary, war of 1812, Mexican war, Civil war and the Spanish-American war. The Sergeant was very modest and said that every soldier at the front was on an equality. That they were all doing splendid and the reason much credit has been given to the Canadians and Australians was the fact of the sportsman disposition of the Britisher who always recognizes ability whether it is his own or his opponents. No one has ever been given better attention by a Rensselaer audience than was Sergeant Bisset. He is not an orator, but he tells a straightforward earnest story which bristle*,, with interest. He does not pose as a hero and recites no great deeds done by himself .while an active service. He gave a Vivid picture of the life of the soldier in the trenches, telling of his food, sleeping, equipment and describing him in action. He did not think that the soldiers’ food was varied enough and said it could not be of a greater variety if the people at home consumed the food that should be sent to the front. He spoke of the unhealthy condition of the trenches. He said they often stood in mud up to their knees or above. That the lice were always present and that on account of the continuous rain the soldier's clothes were alway wet. Sergeant Bisset says that through all this the" soldier was happy, contented and anxious to do his duty. He urged the writing of many letters to the soldier boys and to keep them informed that the folks back home are all heart and soul in the war. It was an address that touched the heart and undoubtedly will do much to help us all to get into tins war game more and more every day. We shall be and the soldiers shall know that we are not only willing, but actually doing everything in our power to make victory for the entente forces come at the earliest possible moment Sergeant Binet said that the soldier was offering his life for the greatest thing in the worId—DEMOCRACY. Not the democracy of the politician but the democracy of the human soul that loves life, liberty and the privilege to serve the God above us in sincerety and truth.