The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1917-09-06

neSddN morning Oh llle . 10 u ldlll
for the Columbia cantonment to re-
port for duty. Many friends of the
young men we're at the station to bid
them goodbye and God-speed.
Tuesday night reception was
rendered the young men at the John S
hotel. After delightful supper, the
first contingent in the national army
was escorted to the veranda of the
hotel where speeches were made be-
fore a crowd of several hundred per-
sons by DR.. E. o. Watson, Judge
Thomas S. Sease, Hon. B. D. Carter,
and DR.. J. B. Black. The speeches
rang with patriotism and good wishes
and good cheer for the Bamberg
nine
The meeting was opened with the
singing of "America," by chorus
of ladies. DR.. Watson presided. He
stated that the assembly had gathered
to pay honor to the first men who are
to represent Bamberg county in the
new army. He had the utmost re-
spect for the selected man, and stat
ed that we are in the war not be-
cause we want to be, but because We
have been forced into it. The men
selected for the new army, said DR..
Watson. are men fit, physically, men
tally, and morally, and represent the
highest type OF American manhood.
The doctor stated that he had never
seen a finer set of young men in his
life than Bamberg's first contingent,
who had waived claims to exemption,
and stood ready to give their all in
their country's behalf. He prayed
Gods blessings upon them, and pray
ed that every man of them might re-
turn after the final victory.
DR.. Watson introduced Judge
Sease, who delivered one of the
strongest addresses ever heard here
It resounded all through with genu-
inc, heartfelt patriotism. 1t is a
duty and a privilege, said the judge,
to meet together to say goodbye to
the noble young men who are going
to fight for democracy against autoc-
racy. Judge Sease discussed the
causes leading up to the war, and
said that it is a righteous war, and
he wants the people to know that we
are right. There is no room for
slackers in America today, said the
speaker, and he hopes that there are
none in Bamberg county to knock the
government, thereby giving aid and
comfort to the enemy, for such are
traitors to their country. Every man
should be loyal. Judge Sease cor
rected a common error-that of war
being declared against Germany. We
did not declare war against Germany
but congress, after the country had
suffered countless indignities at the
hands of the Germans, declared that
war existed. He hopes that there
are none who feel unkindly toward
the government now because of the
struggle fifty years ago. 1t requires
courage to say so, but he, for one,
is glad that the South lost in that
struggle, for time has proven that
we must stand as one nation, undl-
vided.
Some say, said Judge Sease, that
they are willing to fight if we are in
vaded, but are not willing to go on
foreign soil to meet the foe. In re-
ply to this, he said that every time
an innoncent man, woman or child
was killed on the high seas by the
Germans. we were invaded. We stay
ed out of the war just as long as
possible; to have remained out long
er would have been cowardice. After
it became impossible to remain out OF
the struggle, a state of war was de-
dared to exist, and the selective
draft act was passed, which is the
only just system that could have
been adopted. Under this act, all
men are treated alike; the drafted
man is looked upon as being as pa
triotic as the volunteer, because the
draft was centered upon as being the
wisest plan.
The speaker illustrated our posi-
ton in the war in striking manner
BY picturing America as one large
family residing on a farm. The far
mer produces his crops peaceabiy
His surplus is sold to his neighbors
If. when his wagons are sent out with
his produce to market, his drivers
are assaulted or killed-perhaps the
farmers wife and children are on the
wagon-without reason. his teams
blown up and destroyed, it would
indeed be a mighty poor man VINO