The Dickinson press., 1917-05-26
SPEAKERS AROUSE
PATRIOTISM SPIRIT
AT R0USING RALLY

With eight young men marching to
the stage to offer their services to
their nation and their flag, patriotic
rally staged in the Dickinson armory
Monday evening closed with wild
burst of enthusiasm which surpassed
any similar demonstration in this
city since coming of the present crisis,
with possible exception of Loyalty
Day. Stirring speeches by local ora
tors and inspiring music by the drum
corps keyed the audience to a high
pitch of patriotism, and when the call
came the octet of patriotic youths
walked firmly and proudly to the fore,
and offered themselves to their
country. >'.1. -, ~ -. ...t....-'. t-
The gathering was assembled on ex-
tremely short notice, and attendance
was not as large as was desired, but
those who were present left the build
ing uplifted by speeches which thrilled
with their patriotic fervor, which ham
mered home the fact that this country
is fighting for the cause Of right, fol-
lasting peace, for the ascendancy OF
democracy, and the downfall of au'
tocracy. ..a..
After selections by the drum corps
and prayer by the Rev. R. H. Craig
the program of speeches was begun
with Major A. J. Osborn presiding
The Rev. FIR. Dignam gave a rousine
talk, dwelling on the patience of ou,
nation, when patience was a sorely
tried virtue, while our ships were be;
ing sunk, and our loved ones sent tt
watery graves, while Germany made
promise after promise, only to disre'
gard her pledges, and pile outrage
upon outrage.
U. S. Fight Honorable.
"You may say that Russia is fight
ing for the Dardanelles; that Italy il
fighting for the Trentina; that France
is striving for Alsace-Lorraine; tha'
Great Britain is fighting to ruiz
Germany's commerce and trade. Bu
you can say nothing as to the United
States fighting for material gain
Our country is fighting to uphold hel
honor, never for gain," he declared.
Capt. L. r. Baird was the secont
speaker, and he gave clear insigh
into the work Of the Army Y. M. c
a., and told Of how the boys wer'
treated in their camps, emphasizing
the fact that those at home need no
fear for their loved ones, that tn
trials which they would face, the dis
cipline which they: would undergo
would bring them forth from war;
crucible better, nobler men.
Judge w. G. Crawford gave stir
ring talk, in which he asserted tha
this is a fight of democracy agains
|autocracy, a war \ which we Wer'
forced into, and which we must wag,
to successful termination, no mattel
what the sacrifice, no matter wha
the cost. He further emphasized tina
every struggle in which we have tax
en- part has been struggle for tn
right, and that never was this hpr'
true than in the present instance.
West Sets Pace.
The, Rev. j. G. Duling followed
Judge Crawford. He pointed will
pride to the splendid record of th'
middlewest, northwest and far west il
Recruiting troops for defense Of til,
nation. He declared that we mus
open our eyes to the fact that il
Germany we are meeting a foe worth!
Of our steel, a nation which has tn.
greatest military organization th'
world has ever known. He closed b!
declaring that he believed that tn
present crimson strife would maxi
For universal peace, that the down
fall Of Prussian militarism woult
mean that never again would mankin:
engage id q struggle like the presen
one. ~ sE$ $aa
The Rev. r. Fl. Craig was the las
speaker, and he launched a trencfian
|volley Of patriotic sentiment, inter
lspersed with hunnor, 81 which broligh
Continued on page 80