The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-04-28
IN Big MEETING
TOWER CITY BIDS
GODSPEED TO Il
Patriotic Gathering Last
Evening-Fargo Men
Principal Speakers.

Tower City held a great patriotic
celebration last night in honor of
twelve boys of that city who left to-
day for service in the United States
Marine corps.
1T was the greatest patriotic
demonstration 1 have seen in years,
and l would not have missed 1t for
$780," said Maj. G. A. Fraser of the
First North Dakota infantry. who was
speaker.
There were 500 people in the Odd
Fellows hall to wish the young men,
Godspeed. 1t made one feel that the
little towns are the places where the
true American spirit is to be found"
There was a reception, the twelve
boys being in line to shake hands with
their townspeople before departure,
and a musical and speaking program,
followed by a luncheon.
Each boy was presented with a $50
goldpiece. Albert Beltram spoke brief
ly on behalf Of the recipients Of the
gifts. thanking the Tower City people
for their thoughtfulness.,
Major Fraser and Col. e. G. Gearey,
jr. of Fargo. were the speakers Of the
evening.
This war is being fought on land
and water; in the air and under the
sea. All rules have been broken; I'M
fortified cities have been bombarded;
innocent women and children have
been killed in their beds and non
soldiers Of Germany might be fed, I"
said Major Fraser during the course
Of his talk.
"Mv friends. there is one class of
Americans that have no use for, and
that Is the paciflst. The pacifist is our
great enemy at home. Men who go up
and down the country shouting peace,
n L. - H.
Germany. We are facing a condition,
not a theory. War is here and we
must go into it with our whole might.
The more energetically we go in and
the greater army we raise, the fewer
of our boys will be killed in action. An
army Of 100000 men, drilled, equip
ped and ready to be thrown into Ger
many next spring will do more to
bring. on peace than any other atti-
tude."
Major Fraser then spoke in favor
of CONSUMPTION, pointing out the true
democracy OF the system as compared
with the volunteer system. =.
II am glad that have had the OPP
portunity of being with you tonight
that have been granted the privilege
Of saying Godspeed to these boys who
are going to the front. I am glad to
add my tribute to their loyalty to Old
Glory, but my friends. my heart goes
out in sympathy tonight to the moth
ers OF these boys. While 1 glory in
the motherhood that sends her boy to
the front. 1 realize that her part is
the harder part. To wait at home,
and every hour to wonder where he is.
Oh! NV friends. the real heroes of war
are not the thoughtless boys at the
front. Theirs to heat the cheers and
the bands and see the waving of flags.
But the mother who gives UP her son,
or the wife who smiles through her
tears as she hands the sword to her
husband, they are the real heroes of
war. And while the boys are at the
front and all talk is for the soldier,
the neighbors should help to cheer up
the mothers. who are lonely with the
boy away"
Colonel Gearey gave an address
complimenting the boys on their loyal
ty to their country. paving a great
tribute to Tower City for the spirit OF
patriotism that pervades the entire
community and which was so well
demonstrated by the meeting last
night H..,