The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-04-13

did not know what would be the at
titude of the nations of South Ameri
ca towards them on the morrow. NJ
one could tell who would become the
enemies of America. 1t was certain
that this wealthy nation was liable t
be attacked by others powers, tempt
ed by Americas wealth.
The Americans had had it dinneC
into their ears for years that they
were not prepared for possible
clashes with other nations. When
would America prepare?
Must Defend Flag.
He believed that in the not very
distant future strong men would be
called upon to defend the flag, not by
the hundreds of thousands but by
the millions. 1t would take time to
prepare. 1t took time to make SOL
der. 1t amounted to more than learn
ing to carry a rifle and hit mark
once in while. A soldier was made
in the making Of the habits of the
man. A soldier without soldiers
habits was no true soldier.
A man could not tell when he might
be called into the army. 1t was better
to go as a trained soldier than as a
raw recruit, unfit for the duties he
might be called upon to perform.
The training of soldier was in
itself great physical benefit. No
man could go through it without be-
ing made better man by it, not only
physically, but also mentally and
morally.
What the United States had under
taken was a great thing. 1t was a
great service to the world and to hu-
mainly. Never in the history of the
world could a young man follow the
flag with such pride as now. If Ameri-
ca prevailed then for the first time
in the history of the world, de-
mocracy would be proclaimed to all
the nations of the earth.
Americans had their institutions,
their homes, and their flag to fight
for, and they could not begin the
preparation too soon.
Colonel Mead remarked that Judge
ComStock was one of the early cap
tains of Company F and that he
knew about as much about military
training as any of the rest.
The colonel told how on the out
break of the great European war he
was asked how long it would take to
raise and equip an army in America.
He remarked that six months would
hardly suffice to do this, without
committing murder He was told it
could be done in a week. He replied
that if that was the case, all his mill
tary experience had gone to nothing.
The soldiers should have six months
experience, before they were on the
firing line at all. They must know
by intuition what to do. Nor should
recruits get the idea into their
heads that they could all be captains
1t took discipline to get that idea out
of their 'noodles.,.'
Soldiers Life Hard Work.
The colonel said the soldiers life
was one of hard work, but with the
United States on the eve of crisis,
the sooner the training began the
better it would be- The men could
not get ready too soon.
He suggested that as a first step
the men present at the meeting should
list their names as willing to join the
organization and drill. He suggested
that officers be elected to take charge
of the work of perfecting the organi-
cation and working out the plans
more in detail.
Mr.. Bowen remarked that the of
ficers of Company Fl had loaned the
use of the hall for this meeting and
they were ready to give their serv-
ices in drilling and instructing the
men that joined the voluntary drill
organization.
lie stated that it had been planned
tentatively that there be drills twice
week, one on Saturday evening and
one on Tuesday or Wednesday even
ing. Those who joined the organiza-
enrolling as many as possible. He
remarked that such companies had
been organized already in the twin
cities, containing some members as
much as fifty years old. Mankato
should follow suit He would like to
see a whole battalion organized here.
Bowen Temporary Chairman.
Here Judge Comstock presented a
notion making Ivan Bowen the tenn
porary chairman of the new organ
ization. 1t was carried unanimously.
Mr.. Bowen called attention to the
fact that Company II. was in need of
more recruits and he expressed the
hope that the voluntary organiza-
ton might be a means for bringing
suitable members into Company H.
The company was likely to be called
at almost any time.
Wilbur Taylor was inclined to OBJ
iect to Saturday evening as a time
for drilling, as that was the only
night of the week when the stores
were open, and many young men
would have to be busy in the stores.
Mr. Bowen replied that if two or
more companies were organized,
those that could come on Saturday
night could be in one company and
those that could come on some other
night could be in another. He stated
that the next time for assemblage
would be next Saturday night. De-
tails as to drill nights and the like
could be determined later
After the meeting, Mr.. Bowen with
the help of Attorney F. e. Morse
listed down sixty names of those who
expressed their willingness to become
members and do drilling.
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