The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1916-06-15
THURSDAY, JUNE is, 1916.
Joining the Militia.

We believe in peace. But even be-
heving in peace there is such thing
as showing good judgment and being
ready for war if it comes. The most
interesting feature that has SO far de-
veloped out of the preparedness cam
paign in the country is the federal law
providing for the increasing of the
strength of the various organizations
of the state troops Wisconsin is go
ing to have lot of new militia COM
panies as a result of the proposed re-
organization. Kenosha should have
one of these militia companies. It
should have two of them. Every city
of thirty thousand people ought to
have two hundred and forty men who
feel that they owe something to the
country and who would be willing to
hold themselves in readiness for milf
tary service if the nation sees fit to
call them. This is not call for en-
listment in the regular army.
Militia service is particularly a
service for defense. Kenosha has
probably larger body of young men
suitable for military service than any
city in the state outside Of Milwaukee
and it is a sort of a shame on the city
that active military companies can be
maintained at Nielsville, Rhinelander
ana Gach cities and Kenosha should fail
to organize. The state militia offers
lot for the young man. 1t offers him
first of all the chance to learn the les
sons of discipline which are taught to
the soldier. 1t gives him chance for
healthful and invigorating exercise
and while he is taking it he has the
satisfaction Of knowing that he is get
ting himself into condition to answer
the call of his country when his
country needs him. A military com
pany in city adds class to any city.
1t is proof that it has in it men who
have some of the spark of patriotism
left. The military company marching
along the streets carrying the flag is an
inspiration to patriotism to the boys
of the community. Even though a
company organized in Kenosha was
never forced to answer the call for
actual service, still it would be of
value in the development Of the young
manhood of Kenosha. Men who have
seen military service of this kind are
enthusiastic over it. They know that
it turns the minds of the men who are
in these companies into new and better
channels. They know that it makes
them better able to work at the bench
and in Offices and aids a lot of de-
velopment in many lines.
Just why Kenosha has never had an
organization of the state militia is due
probably to the old story that there
has been no one to take the initiative.
Kenosha has been behind the other
cities of the state in lot of things
just on this account. Now the chance
to get into the state guard and get
in under the right conditions is here.
Kenosha can not afford to lose this
chance. Wisconsin has a right to ex-
pect the patriotic services Of at least
one hundred and twenty Kenosha men.
The state stands ready to do its part
III puy IhS equlpIh6ub anu we U6u0V0
that lot of men in Kenosha who re-
alize the fact that the nation should
be prepared to meet emergencies stand
ready to aid in providing home for
military company here. Of course,
the Kenosha company must take let
ter way down in the alphabet, but
this fact will not in any way take from
the members of the company the
chance to prove that the last company
organized in the state may be the best.
During the civil war the hard fight
ing was not all done by the First
Regiments or the GA" companies.
Men way down the line in the organi-
cation covered themselves with just as
much glory as those who were the first
to answer the call for volunteers.
The time is ripe now for the organi-
cation of the Kenosha company. All
it needs is for some one to take the
work on his own shoulders and get
the ears of the patriotic young men
of the city. The call to the colors
should have hearty response. Let IS
do it now.