The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1917-07-12
Guards Rank as Veterans.

this occasion, represent Pennsylvania
in the Federal service. The Guard Is
but recently returned from a strenu-
GUS period of duty on the Mexican
border. Long hours of stir pract.c
In military maneuver under the bis
tering rays OF tropical sun have
case-nardGned the guardsmen. And
their efficiency has become a matter
of national record.
They did their bit" side by eide
with the regular army on the border.
land, acquiring, by emulation, many Of
the campaigning tricks OF the expert
enced older.
But efficient as Is this fine State
soldiery, its numerical strength is
much below the war standard fixed by
the Federal government. Some regi-
ments can muster, at present, only
two-thirds of the number they should
have in their ranks.
Pennsylyania's young manhood
which recently made such an inspiring
response to the call for registration
now has another patriotic duty con.
fronting 1t. Those who have register
ed are eligible for military service.
Sooner or later they will be ordered
to report for physical examination and,
II up to the physical requirements, will
be ordered into the military service.
There Is no obligation, however, up
on a registered man to await formal
call to arms. In fact, since II Is more
than likely he must 90 1t is greatly to
his own advantage to be the arbiter,
himself, Of where, when and how he
shall go.
Enlistment Beats Draft.
Isn't 1t better, by way of example,
for an eligible man to enlist, now, In
crack Guard regiment of his home
section, where he will stand shoulder
to-sh0ulder with friends, than to hold
back until ordered into the service.
assigned, perhaps, to a newly-formed
command where he will be a stranger
among strangers?
There is. the glory of regimental
prestige-the satisfaction that springs
from association with an organization
OF old and honored traditions-and the
confidence that Is begotten of comrade
ship to commend voluntary enlistment.
All of these are assured to the man
who picks home regiment.
On the other hand, none of these
things Is assured to the man who waits
for a regiment to pick him. Voluntary
enlistment gives sure-thing choice.
But the only sure thing In store for the
man who waits is the sure thing that
he viii have to go, II he Is fit to 60.
The Guard offers the same induce.
ment In variety of service that Is Of
fered by the regular army. Infantry,
artillery, cavalry and engineers are
open to recruiting.
This puts the Guard on the footing
OF the regular service, of which It is
soon to be part. From the recruit.
ing end, Guard service Is even more
desirable with its opportunities affo, d.
ed recruits to be placed In the ranks
with the boys from home.
Always maintaining the highest pay
Of any army in the world, the army
service-both regulars and Guard
has taken a new lead far beyond even
its old payroll standard. The rate of
pay for enlisted men Is now $40 per
month and upwards.
Even at $50 month there is a big
lnducement to save. Since everything
is found" for men in the service, ex-
penditures need only be for few per-
sonal luxuries. It is figured that a
man may easily save two-thirds of his
pay. There Is system in vogue by
which the money may be left on de.
Dosit. and per cent interest Is al
lowed.
Army's Brighter Side.
And these are details not to be over.
looked even by men who are keen In
hot-hearted desire to serve their State
and Nation. That there are many such
Is the confident hope OF the Pennsyl.
vania Guard.
II Is men of that calibre who have
made the Guard what 1t is today. And
II Is to men of that calibre whom they
are appealing to make the Guard what
II must be In the future If 1t Is meet
the high hopes Of the State, the Ma
tion and stricken world.
The sky Is overcast, and the war
clouds have gathered. There Is sore
need here. and elsewhere, of that PIC
tured uprising of patriot manhood to
strike a blow for the Old Flag and the
Old Land.
And now--what does the mastering.
in of the National Guard mean to you?
Has 1t stirred you to no sense OF
your personal responsibility in this
great crisis?
Has It not caused you to feel that it
is your duty to stand in those bristllng
ranks-your country's living walls OF
defense-just as much as II Is the duty
of those gallant men who have been
standing there from the first moment
of danger?
II It does not mean all of this-and
more-to you, then you have failed to
grasp its meaning.
Pennsylvania treasures grateful
memories OF sons who have nobly re-
sponded to her call In every grave
hour Of the past.
Shall Pennsylvania call, today,
find sons too Indifferent to give heed
in this the gravest moment OF her
history?
There Is one sure resnonse.
Fill I'D the National Cu'rd.