The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-09-02
Continued from page two


see and realize the great danger of
America being another Belgium or
China. At Plattsburg, N. Y, camp
for military instruction through con-
ception of Major-General Leonard
Wood, U. s. army, has been estab-
lished 1t is one of the greatest and
best things in the military history OF
the country of late years. Instead of
500 men of the education and temper
ament requisite to make an officer
there was a response of 1920. These
are now under the command of regu-
lar army officers, and are undergoing
in its rigidity, the instruction given
by officers to recruits. In case OF
war, officers will be needed as there
will be millions of men ready to send
when the President calls. Among
those who are serving in the ranks
are the mayor of New York City,
Hon. ]. P. Mitchell, who is wearing
the modest stripes of corporal; an
-lieutenant-governor of New York
state, professors from the leading I'M
iversities, bankers, physicians, law
yers, merchants and men generally
who have attracted attention by their
success in civil pursuits. Corporal
Robert Bacon was Roosevelt's secre-
tary of state and ambassador to
France; Private e. A. Allen is a pro-
lessor in the University of Pennsyl-
vania. They all dress in the khaki
uniform and are given eight hours
of hard work a day. 1t is drill, drill
from morning to night, and wher not
engaged in drilling, the men are
taught to pitch tents and other duties
of a soldier. This is grand on the
part of the people of the north. What
about the people of the south? Shall
they stand idle? OF this, the Chatta-
nooga Times says: "Is Tennessee
less inspired by spirit of devotion
to the country and its flag than is
the section of country around the
head of the Great Lakes? Nobody
will question the fitness of Fort
Sheridan as a location for such a
great military school. Is Fort Ogle-
thorpe in any less degree an accept
able place for training civilians in the
first duties of military experience? Be
We prepared! l need you now, is the
cry of the nation as put in stately
poetic form by woman's heart and
woman's hand. Is that call for the
men of the north and the east alone?
Is there to be no answering action in
the old Volunteer state? Are the men
of Tennessee and the south generally
to go calmly and carelessly on their
way giving no heed to the mandate
of the threatened crisis, allowing the
interests of their country to be cared
for by patriotic heads and hearts and
hands in other sections? "In this
hour of mandatory necessity for pre-
paredness, sectionalism of thought OF
of action should have no least place
lin the consideration of true American
citizens. All sections, all states, al
communities should be aroused to ef
ficient activity. To those parts of thu
country not yet manifesting apprecia
ton of the demands of the time, thiI
lpoem appeals:
Children of Liberty, awake!
In ordered ranks your places take!
Where Freedoms sons have blaze'
i the trail,
, Shall you, their leal descendants, fai
To hold in trust the ideal pure
That is their heritage secure?
Against the hour you would know h
} Against the hour you would know hoy
Learn We to serve me-learn it now
You, who from forms of bondag
drear,
! Have sought and found refuge here
Who reap the fruit of bitter tears
And patriot blood. of former years,
} Taking the most that I can give,
} Learning how God meant men to liv'
! | You promised fealty. Your VOW
Was pledged to me. I need you now
1 need you now, my sons! Why wa
IT'LL an invader storms the gate?
4 Your desperate resistance then
& Might not avail. A host Of men
Q Unframed, undisciplined, are less,
B In time of peril and distress,
3 Than half that multitude would be,
z lversed in the arts of soldiery.
81 s.y--,eF Lah@
& q 70; total, 2SS; grab, So secure,
te and colored, 2,01S.
" arning WI
7 r IA