Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 101, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 March 1918 — TO OUR SOLDIER BOYS [ARTICLE]

TO OUR SOLDIER BOYS

Sometimes we wonder, we who are left at home, whether or not our boys realize the void that tlveir departure has left in our community. and more than that, the aching voids in the homes? And then we go on to wonder i(j we, ourselves, appreciate. not what We have lost, b it of what you have so bravely surrendered for our sakes?

And from these thoughts the mind projects itself into the future and we in thought ■ follow you as you go to meet the ominous force arrogant in its strength, insolent in its might and defiant of right and justice. We see it riding down opposition with a ruthless, stride and brushing aside human rights as it would straws that impeded its progress. And we wonder how, when the great test comes, you, our joy arid our pride, will meet it. But the thought does not progress as far as doubt, for following fast upon it come thoughts of you as we know you heart to heart We know you to be harp without fear, standing unafraid before God and man; men of clean lives and clear consciences, whose deep-seated consciousness of the justness and righteousness of their cause will nerve their arms to the fiber of steel. We know you for men who would prefer death to dishonor, and in whom the yellow is notedly absent. And our hearts are at rest. We can proceed with the less Weighty duties that devolve upon us, secure in the knowledge that the honor of our homes and country is safe in your hands. But we cannot but wonder, boys, if you fully sense the great, the n obin th ing tha t you are doing ? Do you realize that you. are making History—and history such as has never before been written? That is the task you have set yourselves. You have gone to meet a crisis in world history before which all previous crisis pale to meager proportions. You are actors in the greatest drama of the human race, and on your actions hangs the destiriy of a world. We would not seek to awe you by citing the tremendousness of *he task before you, but rather to set before you the golden reward that shall call forth in you all of manhood tnat has come down to you from a line of ancestors who have never known either defeat or dishonor. These are not mere sentimental musings, dear boys, but they are the truths that impress themselves upon all our minds as we view the mighty problems that the world m ust solve, and in the solving of which you will represent your noble people, your homes, your country and your God. And when your task is completed and you return to us in the triurinph 'of a righteous victory, we trust to | have sufficient appreciation to give you that welcome that you will so richly merit. We hope to he able I to show to you that we are not ungrateful for your service and your sacrifice. And at this point we pause to wonder what will he our feelings if WE shall fail in the. tasks that confront us, and without the faithful performance of which your work will be doubly difficult. And the desire is born that a dnited prayer shall go up from YOUR hearts that we be given grace to perform our part of the great work.

The measure of greatness of a people is in the unanimity with which they rally to the support of their principles and their ideals. If there were ever any doubt that the American people are one in heart and soul, that doubt has been forever dispelled, for, when Americans can be induced to lay aside that idol so dear to the hearts of all—politics—the world may be assured that they are dominated and controlled by that greatest of all passions, love of home and native land.' It is only the politicians of the “peanut” variety that is at all active these days. The statesman has forgotten* that politics exist, it is this uninimity of sentiment and laying aside of all minor differences that is causing grave concern in the councils of the kaiser. And this concern is not lessened when he observes that a like spirit is lacking in his own. dominions.

For many years now we have laid stress on the rights and privileges of the American citizen, forgetting or ignoring the fact that with every right or privilege there is also a duty. The time has come when we must put our full attention to these duties, and we should be as conscientious in their discharge as we have been insistent in demanding our rights and privileges.