The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-07-09

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lifted to a great stature in the view
of all generations by knowing no limit
to their manly willingness to serve. In
armies thus marshaled from the ranks
of free men you will see, as il were, a
nation embattled, the leaders and the
led, and may know, if you will, how
little except in form it's action differs
in days Of peace from it's action in
days Of war.
May we break camp now and be
at ease? Are the forces that fight for
the nation dispersed, disbanded, gone
to their homes forgetful of the COM
mon cause? Are our forces disor-
ganized, without constituted leaders
and the might of men consciously
united because weacoateutf, IA = wrt6
armies, but with principalities and
powers and wickedness in high places.
Are we content to lie stiff? Does our
union mean sympathy, our peace con-
tentment, our vigor right action, our
maturity self-comprehension and All
clear confidence in choosing what we
shall do? War fitted us for action,
and action never ceases.
Il have been chosen the leader of
the nation. can not justify the
choice by any qualities Of my own,
but SO it has come about and here
| stand. Whom do l command? The
hosts who fought upon these
battlefields long ago and are gone ?
These gallant gentlemen stricken in
years whose fighting days are over.
their glory won? What are the or
ders for them, and who rallies them /?
have in my mind another host.
whom these set free of civil strife in
order that they might work out in
days of peace and settled order he
life of great nation. That hrst is
the people themselves, me great and
the small, without class or difference
of kind or race or origin; and un-
the vision to guide and direct them |!
and order their lives Alright in what
we do. Our constitutions are their
articles of enlistment The orders OF
the day are the laws upon our statute
books. What we strive for is their
freedom, their right to lift themselves
from day to day and behold the things
for still better days for those whom
they love who are TO come after them.
The recruits are the little children
rrowding in. The quartermaster's
stores are I'm the mines and forests
and fields. in the shops and factories
Every day something must be done
TO push the campaign forward; and il
must be done by plan and with an
eye 10 some great destiny.
How shall we hold such thoughts
IN our hearts and not be moved?
would not have You live even TODAY
Nhoiiy IN the past, but would wish TO
stand with YOU in the light that
streams upon us now out of that great
lay gone 10y. Here is the nation God
has builded by our hands. What shall
We do with it? Who stands ready To
lCt again ana always i'm the spirit of
his day Of reunion and hope and
'artiotic fervor? The day of our
"untry's life has but broadened into
morning. DO not put uniforms by.
Put the harness of the present on.
lit your eyes To the great tracts Of
ifc yet To he conquered in the interest
# righteous peace, of that prosperity
which lies i'm a peoples hearts and
utlasts all wars and errors of men.
'omc, let us be comrades and sol
i"rs yet to serve our fellow men in
niot counsel whore the blare Of
Is neither heard nor needed
nd whore the things are done which
make blessed the nations Of the world
n peace and righteousness and love.''