The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1917-07-07

They are mastering in the Guard
-Four times within the memory of liv
Ing men these tidings have sped from
LID to lip throughout Pennsylvania.
-Four times, while mems lips have
spread this terse message, mems hearts
nave sensed stronger tension and
mems pulses have known a Quickenine
beat.
For men know that the simple an
nouncement of this shifting of Guard
control from State to Federal hands
can have but one interpretation
close approach OF great national crisis
Once-almost lifetime agO-the
t1dlngs presaged the storm and fury OF
civil strife into which marched gaiiy
the youthful chivalry of Pennsylvania s
militia, to emerge, four years later,
stern and masterful conquerors.
A second time the message forecast
ed the clash of arms which broke the
falterlng grip of an old-World empire
upon an unwilling new-world colony
And again file upon file of Pennsylva-
MIA youth was seen on its way to take
up the cause of an oppressed people
once again-and this time so recent
that echoes Of the measured tramp are
hardly stilled-the mustering-in meant
long jaunt to the far southwest,
where the bright face of danger peer
GU ONSI Iu6 DOTQ6T.
Today
They are mustering-in the Guard .
Well may the heart-tension tighten
and the pulses leap more responsive
than ever to this speeding message.
For never before has it been the fore
runner of a national peril of such sin
lister portent.
Wars Weird Shadow.
Less than three years ago peace
loving Americans paused in their
placid progress to turn q startled eye
toward fearsOme spectre, which,
suddenly rearing itself In central
Europe, stalked rapidly over teeming
and prosperous lands, imprinting death
and blight with every CHASTITY fOotstep.
1t was-and is-an uncanny monster
of blood, fire and steel, rejecting in
its hideous outline the hatred and ven
ON of its creators toward all mankind
who do not accept the idea of national
existence to which they have dedicated
themselves. 1t is muscled with human
flesh and guided by human intelligence
on a career Of surprising deViltry.
To the safe spectator on America S
distant shore came first only a feeling
of lOathing for this unclean creature
and its masters. 1t seemed unbeliev-
able that monstrOsity so foul and
malevolent could spring to life in this
enlightened day.
Americans viewing its revolving
progress with Mortified eyes, did so
with only the impersonal interest of
unConcerned onlookers. Danger to
their own free land-and free institu-
tions-from the disportings of this
monstrous thing appeared too remote
to be given any consideration.
It's bloody wallowings so riveted the
eye that for time the grim purpose
animating its ruthless Onslaughts was
entirely uncomprehended.
1t was not until Belgium had been
shattered almost beyond hope of res
toration and liberty-loving France had
been brought face-to-face with virtual
annihilation, that America grasped the
true significance Of the demon machine
and its workings.
Shall Liberty Vanish2
And who can doubt, today, that this
significance lis, in all probability, the
Obliteration of the liberal institutions
to which free peoples are committed.
Should this machine prevail liberty, as
we know it, must, in time, vanish from
the face of the earth.
The nation stands today at a cross
road of destiny and the path to the
goal of security looms up rugged. AL
ready it is resounding to the tread OF
armed men. The regular army is on
the move and now the call has gone
out for the countryS second line OF
defense-the National Guard.
Pennsylvania once more is calling
her loyal sons 1t is a time Of stir
and hustle and furnishing OF sword
and gun and bayonet from the banks
of the Delaware to the shores of Lake
Erie. Armories are ringing to the clang
of weapons and stalwart young figures,
there, are seen tugging at strap and
buckle in the bundling OF accoutre-
ments.
More than usual, there is noted the
prevalence Of military uniforms In the
street crowds. And the walls are
everywhere proclaiming the need of
filling up gaps in the various arms or
the service.
The Guard is pulling itself together
for another sally to the front" There
is every indication that its departure
on this occasion will be more lnsplr-
ing than ever as a display Of great
States military power.
The country is proud of its regular
fghting men but, after all, the home
sentiment clingS more fOndly to the
fighting men of the Guard. Pride in
the regular army units is impersonal
because they are recruited from the
country -atlarge.
But with the Guard it is different.
When a Guard regiment muSters-in 1t
carries with it to the firing line the
good name of a particular community.
In that steel-tipped column swinging so
iauntily down the street, when the
Ggard is passing by, are boys from
home.