The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-06-05
A Step Nearer Reality
of War Finds American
Patriotism On the Job


War-actual waP-cOmes step near
er today.
our young men who have reached the
age OF u years and who have not passed
the age of 81, are enrolling to fight on
Uncle Sans side.
II il "choosin up" day, to use term
that belonged to the game Of base ball
we played before and after school.
You may recall that the choosin up
was done by throwing a ball bat from
the chosen leader of one side TO the
leader of the other side.
From the point at which it was caught
the respective leaders would grip tire
bat. land over hand, and the one whose
hand first reached the small end Of the
bat % that jack-knife drawn across
would not cut it, had the first choice from
the baseball material standing at hand.
And you may recall if you were
among the player. first chosen. hat
80 S7E,gsrrgy, szs 'isserr. ''t'' ' z '-''
tinction.
II is with a sense of honor and PRIDE
that the young man may put ms name
to the registration list today as one %
the first to be chosen for Uncle sam
side in the great game in which Tins
country is just taking the field
The best players are always chosen
first
The distinction should thrill the eHgi-
bles.
Theodore Roosevelt remarked on Dec
GRAFTON Day: Il do not feel sorry for the
man Who viii be among the frst to &C.
envy hin"
And Theodore Roosevelts American
ism is the kind of Amercanlsm ttat Is
looking on as the young men take their
pens in hand today tr The frst telling
stroke against an su,ocrs.ic kaiser.
These young men. VINO practically en-
list today, need contemplate their march
ing away 10 war with nothing like APP
prehension that they are 70 be forgotten
and LETT TO shift for themselves.
There is many an American past the
eligible age. who feels about il exactly
as Col. Roosevelt does, and who says to
you;
Go to it. lad. and III see you thru.
I'VE older ones will be watching YOU
and We won't see you licked
IF YOU need us Wen be there
That is the spirit of the United States
today as it gets the first taste Of wars
reality.
Everybody knows what these registra-
tons mean. and the pulse Of every red
blooded American quickens and his heart
beats faster.
This is a meaningful day for many a
mother and many father in our coua-
try. hut in their cases we find the i'm
spring combination of parental lQEe and
a willingness to make the sacrifice, giving
TO the flag those whom they hold dearest
and who represent that which to them is
life itself.
The little bundle in swaddings that
that doctor brought that mother
nursed; that crept and then steadied IT.
self on its feet and walked from one
chair TO another and finally shed Jus
dresses for the first pair of knee trousers
and became a boy. is soon to don khaki
and vacate that big gap in homes and
hearts that he filled.
It seems to mothers and fathers but
yesterday when they were trying to in-
terpret a baby's lisps there is not a bit
of doubt about the meaning of this call
that comes from country.
1t is very clear and plain and possible
of only one Interpretation.
But there are no slackers among
them.
They are meeting THEIR duty un-
whimperingly. and It is a part Of the
glory Of the day.
American patriotism-the real Simon
pure ARTICLES just beginning today 10
find itself.
1t is a patriotism that is not selfish
that Browns on cowardice and cheers
sacrifice and applauds bravery
It asks no one man TO do II ALL and