The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-04-10
MEN NEEDED NOW
FOR >ERYiGE IN NAEE

United States Navy Recruiting Ser
vice.
South Carolina District.
Main Station. 209 Meeting Street.
Charleston, S. L
Herald and News, Ne"berry, g. C.,
The Editor:
At this critical time in our nation
al life it is Of supreme importance
that the Nayy-"our first line OF de-
sonse be recruited up 10 full
strength. Twenty thousand men are
needed Immediately to properly nlah
the ships already built or nearing
completion.
l regret to have to state that the
most serious obstacle We have to oF-
erccme in securing recruits in this
State is the objection of the parents
Some parents not only use their in
fuence to prevent their sons from
eHlisting but in many cases refuse
10 s:gn the age certificates required.
even when the applicant is of prop
er age.
The need of our country for more
Zen for the navy is argent and should
be given first consideration by all
americans worthy Of the name.
Furthermore, the safety of the
, country demands that the present
high morale of our navy be maintain
ed. In other words We not only need
more men but these should be of the
highest type. To accomplish this, all
parents, teachers, ministers and 9TH
er leaders of community thought
should be urged to inoculcate in eV-
cry young man the love of country
and the sublime beauty of service to
that country and the personal nature
of this service Such service cannot
be delegated to our neighbor. No
man has a right to sit back and be-
moan the unprepared state of our
country without first doing his utmost
to help prepare. If disaster over
takes us the individual and more es-
pecially to the leaders of public
thought will go the lions share of the
blame. Arouse public sentiment to
the necessity and the battle is half
won
This duty should be cheerfully per
formed by each one without thought
Of reward. Fortunately, however, IN
the case of our navy, the reward IS
fully commensurate with the service
This feature should be given careful
consideration by all parents truly IN
terested in the welfare and advance
ment of their sons.
In addition, it is the patriotic prlTl-
lege of every mother and father to
teach their boy tEat his first duty is
to his country, for by enlisting now
he may help to safeguard his posterl-
ty for all time. In addition he hon.
ors himself and them by offering his
service whether it be accepted Or not
It is therefore apparent, at this time,
that whoever, from any cause, at
tempts to dissuade any young man
from offering to serve his country as
sumes a grave responsibility, for ell
listments now, may prevent invasion
and ruthless destruction of property
and lives Quick action now may pre-
vent war and in case of war being u1-
ayoidable, would put our first line OF
defense, the navy, in position to use
it's full potential strength against any
possible enemy.
1t is urged and requested that you
publish at least part of this letter;
that you give the subject serious
thought, which, I sincerely trust will
lead you to treat it editorially. It's
importance can scarcely be over esti-
mated as the fountain head of pa
triotism appears to be threatened oy
the action Of thoughtless parents.
friends and guardians.
Sincerely,
O.. F. COOPER,
Lieutenant, U. S. Navy, Recruiting
nHaa. e.. Sn,,tl, Nnrnlino