Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1914-12-29
THE SOLDIERS ARE APPRECIATED.

The citizens ~ Brownsville NJ general can
not bot regret that Their should have been
any occasion, whe hg upon real ~ ianciel
grounds, Ton any oGthe soldiers ,tationed
az Fort Brown 10 feel that they l.sd been
Disseminated against al the charity hall
given here on Christmas night. With per
hap a few exceptions, not unnatural "a y
body of soldiers - numerous, the men ~
Colonel Blocksom's command have con
Quoted themselves IN such manner a. to
win the good will and respect ~ our citI
zens. SO fan a. The Herald has learned
the men have been treated uniformly with
consideration and courtesy by our people.
We we're glad indeed 10 welcome Uncle
Sans cavalry at a time when the troubled
conditions ON the Mexican border made
even the hardest border resident feel that
the restraining Influence OF the soldiers
presence would make hir and property
safer perhaps. And u has been pleasant
day hy day 10 watch the men snlng ont for
or returning from their dairy practice or
exercise. We relied upon the boys IN KHAKI
for protection and their pre-caso filed a.
with a sense Of security for which we were
grateful. And the behavyr ~ the men has
been such throughout. with the few excep-
iions referred 10. "a t. Justify fully the
feeling OF confidence and esteem which
they have inspired. our citizens have been
willing to let the boy, IN khaki have the
best OF everything. One Of me churches
has opened y special reading room for their
benefit. where good book and magazine.
are placed la Them pleasure. and a piano
j. ready tor their entertainment whenever
they choose e. u~c a.
True, there j. a. there ha- been AWAY,
the social distinction growing ont of the
rule which governs the social relations
between the army officers and the soldiers.
which sets D mark over which the private
Is not permitted 10 pass. Unfortunately
HE American army w ~ American III thi-
one respect, He officer 10 not minele
with the men a~ social equals. ~ matter
how superior the men MAY w. ~ family
education ~ culture. And pa account 81
this practice VA the pant or The officer.
society draw the same line. Usually tht.
men accept The cnndition without protest
They know that they mut expect in this
respect. and usually make ~ effort M enter
the social realm. II y e fact that often
the sons ot army officers viii enlist. with
The ambition IN winning VA officers com
mission eventually IN service VI the ranks.
and when they III w. they willingly accept
the social han which forbid them Ia 49,
sociatc with thrir own father family ~
terms Of equality. The distinction thu.
made, however, w uot intended ~ indicate
any feeling ~ contempt tor he men. Mluv
have n>en from the ranks. through the
plan which throws open a. any deserving
ran m the ranks the opportunity 10 win
TIE shoulder straps. There T. W the army.
rs in all walks Of HE IA this country IF
opportunity, 4 nance tor the sell made
man.
Viewed al The abstract. Il max often np-
pear unjust that these fine. brave fellows.
whom We can not but admire and for whom
we are bound To have q feeling IT affec-
tionate regard, should be cut off from the
social enjoyment which they max some
times crave, that l. usually participated IL
hy any ciriHe+ who has either ~ inherit
auoe 81 personal merit won The eutree IL
society. Yet. there are social conditions
which can not he changed. and. though
We may not slways agree with the poet IN
believing that whatever J. J. right" Vet NJ
realize that the social conventions are
adamantine, and know that they can not be
overcome.
Taken a. . concrete ease. however. The
Herald voices the sentiment u our citizens