The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-04-19
The True Spirit of Patriotism

are being written filled with the
thoughts which are uppermost in the
public mind. OF those which have
come to our attention, the one repro
duced below seems to us the most
ideal from the standpoint of true
patriotism. 1t is from Omar Badger,
now in Harvard College, to his broth
er Clyde. of the class of 1917, Show
hogan High School 1t should he
explained that the parents had not
strenuously objected to Clyde's en-
listment They had only the reluct-
ance which may be pardoned in any
parent at the present time.
Wednesday night, 1850 Beacon St,
Waban, Mass.
Dear brother Clyde
To answer your question, is
somewhat of serious matter.
realize the meaning of what it would
mean perhaps even better than you.
You are young and the enthusiasm of
patriotism for ones country is al
ways very strong in the young The
sparkle of new uniform and feeling
of rifle in ones grasp always has
somewhat of an allurement To
march before the townspeople and
have them all cheer for you is an
other attraction which usually entices
many of the young. If you are think
ing of those things by all means stay
out, they are only passing shadows
and of no substance. To stand by
the country that gave you birth and
allowed you all the education and
pleasure you have ever received is
your first duty under any circum-
stances. To serve ones country to
the best of his ability is of course the
only manly thing to do; and by this
you must remember that your father
and mother are part of this coun-
try, and are your nearest advisers ;
at the same time you are a man, and
as such have right to some of your
own ideas and principals, especially
when they are concerned so intricate
ly with your own welfare and your
future.
Now as regards the present stu
alton nationally, it is very serious.
probably as serious as the United
States has or will have to face That
we will raise large army within a
comparatively short time, | do not
think there is the least doubt. That
there is most urgent need of train
ed officers there is no question. That
there will be CONSUMPTION or drafting
for military training | think is pref
ty sure, and that it will begin soon
think is nearly a sure thing 1t
will probably start at the ages of
from Is 20 25 at least that is what
public opinion seems to say. If it
does it will probably take all who are
physically fit, the cream as we'll as
the skinned milk
And now as regards your own case.
think if you do not enlist you are
just the right kind to be the first
drafted. Your chances for advance
ment if you enlist are many times
better than If you were drafted; be-
sides if it must come, you are a big
ger man in the eyes of your people
and in the eyes of the Almighty if
you give yourself to the country than
if the country takes you by force
know it is a serious move, but thous-
ands of other young men have just
as much to sacrifice and perhaps not
so much to gain. If | were in your
own place and feel as | do now
surely would enlist that is all the ad-
vice | can give; as much as | regard
my own personal feelings toward you,
and as much as | respect my father
and mother, | can advise no other
way. | have enlisted myself, not in
the regular army but in a surgical
hospital base; without my degree
would only be a private, even lower
recognized such a thing, that many of
us were enlisting as such and thru
the government prevented us from
going. They say it is wrong for us
to throw away what we have worked
so long and hard to get. it is an &c
economical loss to the government
Therefore school is to be continued
thru the summer for our class in
order that we may be graduated next
winter. 1t is done with the inten-
ton that we join the army as soon
as we are through, We would then
enter as a commissioned officer and
allowed to do the thing we are best
fitted for and which would be of
most service to the country. | hope
you will use your own judgment in
your own case and if you enlist,
fully realize what you are doing and
for what reason. After the war is
over. and let us hope it will not be
too long. let it not be said of our
family, that we were afraid to do our
duty.
| know you will not get this Thurs
day but l only got your letter when
| came home tonight DO not let
father and mother think it means too
much, for perhaps not a man from
the t. s. will have to go across, but
If we are wanted we should be ready
I hope | have made my ideas clear
to you, and if you do enlist you may
know that the fullest love and high