The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1917-12-06
PATRIOTIC AMERICA
A Brilliantly Glowing Discourse on Ideal Patriotism
as Conceived by a Perian Member
Paper Read Before Chautauqua Csrcls By Mr.
atauqua Circle, By Mr.. +. J. B.


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terms, they demand that Liberty
and Democracy shall stand. Then
| say, Long Live Liberty! Long
Live Democracy"
The events of the past few
months should firmly establish the
fact that American patriotism is as
true to-day as it ever has been;
while we are not rejoicing that we
must have war, yet we cannot help
being elated that the American
people have proven to be to-day
what we had always pictured them
to be and that the ideals of our
forefathers have been upheld.
They have done more than even
the most sanguine amongst US
thought possible, and we have
only started to work. Another
great proof of patriotic America
to-day is that just lately the naval
recruiting stations have had to
close down as they we're swamped
with enlistments; the marines have
had to do likewise. Now every
eight hours there are over one
thousand volunteers accepted in
the army service and there are q
great many more who have offered
their services but have failed to
pass the examination. From the
time diplomatic relations were
broken off until September 1st of
this year over two million men
volunteered their services to their
country. Of course a large per-
centage we're not accepted on ac-
count of disabilities. But does it
not show that the same old spirit
that carried US through to victory
in TITS still prevails. l take the
above figures just read from sta
tistics published by the War and
Navy departments.
Patriotism! Why question ito
Patriotism and America are one
and inseparable.
Now we realize that war is Just
what General Sherman said it was,
and we are also aware that it is
not all flying banners, music. and
dress parade, but without doubt
there are some amongst you here
this afternoon that have sacrificed
some one near and dear to you to
enter into this terrible conflict to
fight for his country and justice of
its cause, and although your heart
is aching for this departed one do
you not at the same time rejoice
and glory in the fact that he has
given his life and services to up
hold the principles of the grandest
nation in all the world?
The American boys who have
gone across and are going. to par
ticlpate in this great struggle, have
one great source of satisfaction in
knowing that their fellow country
men at home are backing them up
to man in every way possible.
They realize that it takes men ON
this side to keep things going and
also to supply them with their
various necessities as well as it
takes men to handle the guns at
the front.
Now let US as Americans at home
show our loyalty by letting moth
ing interfere with our doing ev-
erything possible to encourage
these same boys who are doing the
real fighting for us. Make his
mental load as easy as possible and
do everything you can for his CON-
fort so that he may put all of his
physical and mental self into the
fight against the enemy, for, as the
old adage which we all know says,
His is to do and die and not to
ask the reason why" He is en-
titled to full support from every
one of you, for he has given him.
self wholly and unselfshly to fight
for us and it is up to us to see that
he wants for nothing which we my
be able to do or supply. The men
Continued on page ;, column l.,