Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-03-27
BANQUET TO COMPANY c
AND REC|NENTAL BAND


returned home better men for having
had the experience. They had many
good times and many hard times and
had been taught in the school Of CX-
Iperience many things that could be
learned no place else. When the
soldiers arrived at Brownsville they
We're soft and could stand little hard
work, but the officers. set about to
make them strong and hardy. Some
times the weather was excessively hot
and at first the soldiers took only
short hikes with part of their pack
upon their backs. 1t was noticeable
that in three or four miles travel the
boys were fatigued and had consumed
all the water in their canteens. 1t
is not good for the soldier to drink
much water while upon a march and
the boys of the Second regiment soon
discovered that. They continued in
the hikes from day to day and from
time to time each was given more 20
carry. The task became easier as
practice continued and at the end of
lsiX months the boys could make u
Tourney of fifteen miles in hot wealth
Ier, with a soldiers full pack, ana
feel but little fatigued. That is what
training does. The soldiers also
Learned to handle the shovel and
lpick and there was not plker
among them Soldier life is a leveler.
Put six or eight men in tent to live
together and it is not long until they
are all what they should be. II one
lis a crouch upon the start, he gets
that taken out of him. If one is in
clined to shirk it is made SO unpleas-
liant he is soon willing to do his part.
The backward and physically weak
lis helped by the strong and after a
few months of such life the result is
an army of capable soldiers who can
protect themselves against disease
and other enemies. and ready to give
the best of service to their country.
Major Lund declared that he did not
agree with the statement OF w. j..
Bryan that 100000 soldiers would
spring to arms over night in this
country. 1t takes time to make a
soldier and time to furnish clothing
arms and munitions. He said it was
several months last summer after the
boys arrived in Brownsville before
they were properly clothed. Many
were without government shoes and
uniforms 1t is big undertaking
Ito arm and equip an army and the
government should have on hand 3
1000, 900 or 100000 outfits ready for
use at all times. Clothing is the
most important thing, as without
proper clothing, especially shoes, the
soldier is at great disadvantage. The
major advised young men who wished
to volunteer in the event Of war to
volunteer now and join the national
guard. They would then be called
|out with trained soldiers who could
help them and make the service
easier and safer. The major declared
that war was terrible thing, but
insisted it had paved the way
Through the centuries of the past for
a better civilization. In his judg-
ment the people of Mexico will never
have fair chance until the soldiers
of this or some other country go into
Mexico and clear the way for the
teacher and Christian civilizer.
At the conclusion of Major Lund's
remarks, POSTMASTER Kelly paid
fine tribute to the flag. He also
took occasion to commend the Ger
man people as a people, but condemn
ed kaiserism and the system that is
responsible for the great war now
devastating Europe. He strongly
urged taking necessary steps for ma
tional defense and placed himself
squarely in favor of universal train
ing. He called upon Wesley Martin,
who closed the program in response
to the toast, Comrades.
Mr.. Martin spoke iii his usual
forceful and straightforward manner
and succeeded in winning liberal APP
plause. He was also one of the
speakers at the farewell banquet at
the Baptist church and closed his
address upon that occasion with the
injunction. May God he With You
Till We Meet Again" Upon the re-
turn of the soldiers from the border
the other day the speaker said he
recalled those words and felt that
God had been with the boys. AS he
saw the soldiers march up the street
| he thought of the young lady who
with the new spring suit declared she