The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-10-18

was in excess of what it is at present.
We have a greater native element in
the army than heretofore; but in point
of efficiency the army is better only
by reason of progressive methods. The
old soldier of the present day, taken
as a class. are about equal If the
army at the present day has greater
guard houses or a greater percentage
of court martials, it can be attributed
essentially to an increased organiZa-
tion-over double that of former years
and indirectly to the anti-canteen
law, which has sent many poor fellows
not only to spiritual ruin, but even
to their graves-victims OF the w. c.
T. U.
To thoroughly understand a soldier
one must live with him. More often
than not he is a diamond in the
rough" which needs only opportunity
to have the brilliancy come to the sur
face. Under the blouse there is often
times heart as noble and as capable
of magnanimous acts as any civilian
possesses. The lessons inculcated by
a gentle and loving mother or stern
father, though apparently forgotten,
are potential of much good, even
though this good comes out in ninth
Or tenth hour of life. There is no
class more generous to a fault than
the American soldier. When a COM
rade meets with adversely there is
always the ready hand of companions
in arms to do as much as near relatives
would do, and in a way foreign to os-
tentation-begotten of kindly hearts.
By comparison with other countries
the United State possesses military
service of which every American
every citizen to encourage both by
word and act everything that tends to
promote it's efficiency. Instead of be-
ing ever ready to condemn the whole
army because of the shortcomings of
few. let the civilians of this country
cooperate in bringing out the good
that is in the army individually. Let
the parent teach the child that it is
a great and glorious aspiration to de-
sire to be a soldier. Teach him that.
instead of being a disgrace, it is an
honor to be an enlisted man.
Let the civilian give the, soldier boy
the glad hand" of welcome; let him
see that you think him somebody and
not the scum of humanity. He is hui
man as we'll as you, civilians. He has
the same sensitive feelings and sense
of delicacy as the average civilian. He
longs for occasions to bring his man.
hood and gentility to the front Let
the civilian give him the opportunity
Only too often is he graded in estimat-
ton according to the standard of SO
a month rather than by the real worth
which is in him. How often is there
not a glorious ambition hidden in the
soul of the man who accepts the sal
airy of a recruit. knowing it is the
stepping stone to something higher:
an ambition which is frosted by the
discourtesy of civilians towards the en-
listed.
Civilians, now is the time to show
your appreciation of the man in olive
drab." Do not wait for an occasion
which may be far in the future. namely
his return from campaign. There is
often pharasaical Vein in the enthus-
iasm shown when Johnny come
marching home" Be enthusiastic over
him now; open the door of hospitality
to him: offer him the milk of human
kindness. He will then carry away
with him grateful memories, the pres
ence of which will spur him on to at
tempt greater things and accomplish
more glorious deeds both for God and
fatherland. @
Eos. lnslsooeksan