The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-04
A WORD TO THE BoYs.
An old Conrederate's Advice on the
Subject of EnIistinG.


An old Conrederate's Advice on the
Subject of EnIisting.
To the Young Men of Savannah:
Permit "a father who spent four years
in the war of secession and who has four
grown sons. 10 have a little talk with
you.
know how hard it Is for our boys, when
they read of the itreachery Of the Span
iards at Cuba blowing UP the Maine and
sending so many brave fellows 10 their
death. to content themselves when the
hour of retribution comes from joining in
Furnishing the dastardly act; and when our
brave Lee says he wants 10 lead our boys
to Cuba and drive out the miserable ours,
how difficult to resist; and to come nearer
home, when Col. Lawton and Col. Garrard,
in their military enthusiasm, call upon
their companies to enlist 10 a man. thai
they have been parading before the eyes
of the state of Georgia as soldiers have
been looked upon as the defenders of the
state and union, have accepted arms from
the public treasury, had their expenses
paid in camp purposely 10 III them for this
or any other military emergency, and
when you are all assembled in your vari-
comrades Is for the time forgotten, ana
the roll is called. and the question pro,
pounded, "Will you enlist? Yes or no.
Win you be s. tin soldier or come out
now and show the community that you
are a fighting soldier?" how hard, oh, how
hard, to answer mo"
Patriotism is Unborn in the Southern
boy. He can't help it, The fire was trans
mitted from his father, from his great
90
Patrick Henry when he said Liberty or
death" and the sound wave that carried
those glorious words from his lips. has
continued to vlbrate and touc-- the ear Of
every Sou, hern boy born since that hour
But what is patriotism? Love of ones
country; and why? Because all we hold
lear in this life is In our country, ana
the dearest spot in that country Is our
home, and to the brave boy the dearest
spot in that home is his mother. Now,
boys, when Won are called upon to enlist
for this war. reflect; think of what your
mother will do, who depends upon you for
support. Go TO. your commanding officer
and tell him bravely your situation; that
your small earnings so to keep roof
over your old mother, and give her a cup
of tea to strengthen her weary bones, and
your commanding officer will say to YOU
MY good and brave conlrade, the coun-
Wy hOSS uot HeSa SuCn as you yet, there
are many others who are glad to go, who
have nobody dependent upon them; you
stay at home and take care of your
mother" When the country really needs
you, that same mother viii buckle your
sword on and say go and defend your
country; but the time is not here vet for
such sacrifices and your first duty now is
to your home
These ideas have been suggested to me
when l heard few days since that two
young men, upon whom an aged father.
mother and little sister depend for sup
port had enlisted in one of our companies.
Boys, don't be in too big haste TO enlist.
None of US old folks have the least fear
that, II the time for prompt action comes
II isn't mere yet-any one of you will show
the dominicker"
Hoping the arm of the good God win
guide all who do go, am. boys, your old
1rend, Edw. j. Thomas.