Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-09-07
The SeleCtmen.

The mobilization of the first quota of Selectmen
10 be trained for the National army marks a shin
ing epoch in the life of the Republic and in the
lives of the men themselves. Never was democracy
more truly exemplified than in the mastering of
these sturdy young legions. Every of them
has been called and chosen under the same law,
upon the same basis and for the same exalted pur-
pose There no distinctions of wealth posi-
ton family influence any artificial standards
amongst them. They stand, one and all, on the
broad high ground of Americanism, freemen and
comrades in their countrys Theirs indeed is
a national army and democratic army. Its mem
bers drawn from every corner and every nook
OF the Union; from city and hamlet and country
side: from shops and banks and farms and offices;
from the homes the highest and the humblest. Into
its making, go the whole nations heart and sinew;
a united. more intensely loyal people will be
the result
1t is to the recruits themselves, however that
the prime interest and honor of the day belong. In
entering the cantonments they are entering world
history. men especially chosen for the most
mentous duty that ever summoned defenders of
freedom. They are in deed and truth SELECTED
men-selected the hardest. soundest. ablest Of
their fellow Americans for the chief work of this
heroic time; selected fight alongside the soldiers
of France in the supreme hour of human history;
selected to bear aloft their nations faith, to vndi
cate their nations rights and to make their home
land forever against brutal Prussianism. OF
all honors that men will covet in years to come,
none will stand out so starlike that of having
fought for America and humanity in these world
changing times The Selectman OF today is the
hero OF tomorrow.
The friends and kindred of these gallant young
men have good reason to feel proud Of them, and
a.
OF their camp life will be wholesome and
happy as a resourceful and solicitous Government
can make it. Considerations of efficiency alone
would demand that the health of the be scrup-
ousIy safeguarded and that the camp environment
be kept purged of demoralizing influences To this
sound military policy, the Government adds
hearty. hnman interest in its soldiers wellbeng.
There is this difference between fighting for
the Kaiser and fighting for Uncle Sam the Kaiser
regards his troops many machines; Uncle Sam
regards his as so many MEN-so many and
brothers.
Cooperating with the Government and supple
menting its work in this connection are numbers
Of patriotic agencies local and national In Atlanta.
for example committees representative OF the COM
mUnity's best citizenship and broadcast sentiment
have been busily engaged for months past on plans
looking to the interest and entertainment of the
men who are be trained at Camp Gordon. The
city. keenly mindful of the honor of their presence
and cordially concerned in their welfare, will do
its utmost to make their leisure hours enjoyable.
That is the American spirit the American attitude
toward the National army.
The family and friends of every Seectman,
therefore, may rest assured that his interests are
at the country's heart and vigilantly guarded.
They have the satisfaction OF knowing that the reg
ularity and discipline and outdoor life of the
Torment giving him new vigor of body and Of
character. They have the keen satisfaction of
knowing that in the days ahead as well as now he
will be under carefully trained. competent officers,
and under a system which is by all odds the most
efficient the world has known and at the same time
the most solicitous of its human units. But their
highest satisfaction is in the honor that he is earn
ing for them and for himself he answers his
country's call and proves how sublime thing is
duty