Evening journal., 1916-02-21
URGE YOUNG MEN TO
join State militia
(ContInued F,rom raee l.l

''lf one thing has been demonstrate
ed in the pas. nineteen months. it Is
the value of preparedness in the event
of war. II has shown that munitions,
great stores Of them. are necessary
but more impressively, ineNpressably
more impressiyely. it has shown that
preparedness is really in the spirit and
mentality of a people
III is not enough to have guns and
ships. and fortresses and battaliOns. it
is necessary TO have a people who
have an intellectual conception Of
what they are lighting for and how
they are going to fight for what they
arc fighting for. II has been demon
siratcd In this war that men can be
schooled to die gladly for delusion.
"rhe Boston Transcripts the other
day said The American people arc
not only not prepared for war. they
are not prepared TO be prepared for
war
I'm the face OF the prevailing world
crisis this is a mOnstrous condition,
and II L monstrous one i'm our case
because 10 Is true i'm our case.
III tho war in Europe has demon
slrated one thing beyond peradven-
ture it has proved that there is in
the world today strong nations with
ambitions for world dominance and
the concept OF government, which mo-
tiyes some. at least, OF these govern
ments is al irrepressible war with tho
American concept of government
"The United States with all IFS
faults has been liberty cnlightening
the world. and the opportunity for lib
crtv az least has been spreading over
the world.
"Mho viii own the land or who viii
govern the people Is a trlc compared
with the Importance OF the spirit OF
tihc land owners and the motive and
The ambitions OF the rulers
"rhc United States has stood for
liberty the largest liberty, which
man has hecn capable Of There are
other nations which believe the Op-
posi,c OF thisl n the United States
was invaded 10 would not so much be-
by the batiglions OF foreign foe. i,
would be by the sinister motives and
ambitions of men who believe that
fhcy We're ordered and are inspired
by God TO rule mankind as the puny
inlcllccts OF the rulers may dictate
~ .WEHiNis MlN ANMAtUllOM rAlAhNN
nt the very foundation of all we hold
dear II denies everything we be-
ievc is worth whilel
'Will any intelligent. fair-minded
man or woman dispute this? Is this
not true absolutely and unqualihedly
true? Is Il not also true that the
people Of the United States are un-
prepared not only 60 hold the land
they now possess and to protect the
lives and honor OF those who are
dear to them. but is It not also true
that we are unprepared TO defend that
sacred heritage OF ours the infinite
honor of heing-'Liberty enlightening
the world
ut is dimcet for us not to abuse
somebody or everybody because We
have taught so little and know so lit
tie about this priceless heritage.
"We can convince ourselves tha
# we are not prepared for prepared
ness il is because we have thought o.
other things and neglected this price
less and Immortal conception.
'lt Is Idle. however, merely to talk
about suci. things If We do not know
what TO DO. The rault finder who
has no remedy to offer is mere mis-
chief maker.
"What can we dog
"This the men of Wilmington can
do at this moment here and nowi
They can join the organized militia.
They can do IL now and they can per
fcct themselves to protect their sac
red herit1ge while they are waiting
for the earnest men to try to discover
the other best thing to do or TO ap.
prove
"This is a responsibility and an oh
legation which rests upon every man
who may read these wo-ds. Il Is not
question which is open even TO ar
Rument
I'VE grant the frightful dangers OF
mlitarism. but defence Is not militar-
ism. As q matter Of fact at this mo-
mont defense appears TO be the only
promising argument against militar.
ism. ~ you arc attacked and are
not prepared YOU viii have militarisn
and you viii probably be drilled ant
compelled TO fight against everything
you hold most dear.
eThe men of Wilmington ans
Delaware at this moment I'm this crisi.
have one thing. and only one availabl,
thing they can do. and that is join the
militia Is there anything else yol
s can do now?
There may be discovered other
and better things We are not sure OF
that What we arc sure OF Is that
the organized militia offers an oppor-
tuniiy now for every Delaware man
and every Wilmington man TO prepare
himself and TO equip himself TO de-
fend his life. his home and his sacred
honor against the sinister influences
I'm the world which look more ugly
and more forboGing every houf!"
Those who signed the above are
apiair Ernest c Parks. Company A.
Captain J Austin Ellison Company
e; Lieutenant Albert Hirzel. Company
p. and Captain Robert Carswell Com
pany i u also has the approval OF
hdin'ant General l. Pusey Wicket
sham
The four companies need at the
present time many men TO I'm thoii
ranks u is hoped the present cam.
iaisn will result in the early secure
nent Of at least that number Of re-
cruifs io
ALMOST HURT N An Elevator
Police Commissioner William n Al,
gear had narrow escape from ser