The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1917-08-09
Just Gratitude.

William Shakespeare was rather a
wise man. He had studied books a
little ald life great deal and as a
consequence was something Of an
authority on human nature. To such
an extent was this the case that ne
lived some four hundred years ahead
of his time and knew few things that
some Of us are just learning new. For
instance, he expressed a sentiment once
which Sammies and polus will soon
realize was absolutely true. 1t had
something to say about that type OF
weather which will shortly engulf the
western battlefront and add the suf-
fering of biting cold to the pain of
shot and she'll 1t was true and bit
terly true as war-scarred heroes will
testify, provided, of course, they are
fortunate enough to survive the horror
of il all. AS the soldier lies helpless
in "No-Man IS Land"' with only the
snow for bed and only the breeze to
cool his fevered wounds he will know
that Shakespeare was tragically right
when he wrote Blow, blow, thou
winter windl Thou are not SO unkind
as man S ingratitpde. "
Yes, something Of that sort is bound
to happen unless people in Kenosha
and throughout the United States pro-
vide for such emergencies Red Cross
work is not a duty; it's privilege.
1t furnishes an easy and effective way
for American citizens to show their
gratitude to American soldiers and
should be viewed by all patriots as an
opportunity Of discharging an honest
obligation. Unless the supplies which
lit furnishes are Immediately forthcom-
ing, Sammies and poilus, are going to
suffer and suffer terribly in the winter
campaign now rapidly approaching
unless it receives in the near future
contributions of money and service it
Twin be unable to perform its mission
Eand BY its failure to conserve the man
lpower Of the allies at this critical
period will prevent ultimate victory if
mot make possible immediate defeat.
Fairly action is imperative, if the
! Tritcd Skates is to prove its efficiency
IN The world war and if its citizens
arc to show real appreciation of
s"e"fces made for them.
" is no easy thing to 90 to war.
Many reop,e who are beyond conscrip
t'on age or physically incapacitated
\ it involves. 1T is not facing danger
that makes ii hard; it is the relinquish-
Iment Of happiness, ambitions, hope and
dove 1T is an easy thing to die, but
to leave life, life Of promise and
prosperity, that is hard. And yet that
is the sacrifice that millions Of
Americans, Frenchmen and Englishmen
are making to protect the life and
liberty of those who never face the
lfumes of gas or feel the shock of shell.
They will never regret it, if those for
whom they do it understand. But if
in the agony of the last moment they
realize that death is due to the thank
llessness of those for whom they gave
their lives their final thoughts will be
a condemnation of life and repudia-
ton of menkind
That will be death, death in its most
fearful aspect, a death never mer-
tied by staunch defenders of the
Stars and Stripes.
Tt lies within the power of Kenosha
people to aid in the prevention of such
catastrophes as this. 1t is within the
power of local citizens to provide sup
plies and treatment which will mean
a renewal of life instead Of the death
here pictured. The American Red
Cross Association furnishes dressings,
surgical shirts, medical treatment, and
nursing, to the Sammies and poilus,
who meet bloody disaster in emo
Man s Land These apparently in
significant things may swing the bal
ance in individual lives from death to
life and in the international situation
from defeat to victory. This is no
small service. This is no mean wav of
showing ones patriotism to country
and ones gratitude to those who are
fighting heroically to save the country
from German tyranny. This is not an
obligation but privilege and as such
should be grasped with eagerness by
all Kenosha citizens interested in the
welfare of their nation and the safety
of it's soldiers.
Within G very short time Kenosha
people will be given an opportunity to
contribute money or service to the local
Red Cross chapter. Both are vital to
the continuation Of the work but the
latter is especially needed to provide
against the French winter The sup.
plies made at the sewing rooms cannot
be produced by factories. They call
for that painstaking, accurate, stitch
ing which is given from love and never
sold for gold. The demand for them
Is so large that it can be met only
with patriotic patience and never with.
bought persistencv. The enormous task
can be accomplished, however if wom-
en- in Kenosha and throughout the
United States viii only give an hour