Norwich bulletin., 1917-09-12
THOUSANDS HONOR DRAFTED MEN
Banquet Buckingham Memorial Followed by Parade and Patriotic Programme Union Square-Local Home Guard Acts Escort for Men in Line-Mayor Allyn L. Brown Presiding Officer.

ready met several times in this place
 either to bring to the attention of the public the needs of the government to | have the ranks of the National Guard
 and the navy recruited to fun strength | or to do honor to those who have 1 come forward to do their part for | their country. We have taken proper recognition of the departure of the l boys who have gone out in the two coast artillery companies from Nor | wich And they were entitled to all
 of this, and far more than we can ever give them. And what has been true of the local companies to 20 out in this war in this regard. is but rope ! tition of the history of similar occur | rences in the Civil war and in 1898.
 All honor to the noble men who have
 gone out from Norwich in the past! l The selective Draft Law. 1 Tonight, while we are gathered for l somewhat similar purpose. T take
 1t that we are also recognizing the sary idea in our national life. When the congress in it's wisdom passed the 1 selective draft law it made great 1 step toward meeting an emergency before. Our country has passed I through many crises, but never one l more sinister in it's possibilities than that of this hour. It was to meet the ] that the government so wisely provided for the use of each mans talents where they would count most for the country's good. We. owe our coun- lives in her time of need. We are therefore glad when she elects to use us in the way that will do the most good.
 A Double Service.
 You brave young men who are go- ing out as the first contingent of the new national army from the district of Norwich are doing a double service for our common 4country- Each one of you, and of. the six who have al- ready gone and who we regret cannot be here tonight. but to whom through you we send our greetings. is not only furnishing a brave strong and will ing soldier to fight the enemy, but is also taking with him the hearts of all his dear ones and friends at home. He is helping to centralize the interest and sOlidify support of the great army which of necessity remains at home. May we who cannot go. emulate your example by doing duty here at home. Let us stamp out every trace of sedition. Let us give whole hearted support in every way to the government.
 I heard someone say today that he thought this is not a time to give a celebration" I take it that person did not understand the significance of heart could celebrate and rejoice in the fact of the necessity which re- quires your going but I am indeed sor- ry for him who does not rejoice that in. this time of national. need we have i so many brave men whose pa atriotism, sense of justice. and love of country, leads them to so willingly and gladly do their duty.
 Our Faith and Our Prayers.
 Men of the New National Army, from the District of Norwich, I know that I speak for every person here to- night. Yes. and for every person in this district when I say to you that our hearts go with you as you go out. We believe in you. We are proud Of you. You have our faith and our prayers. May God bless you each and every one!
 James G. Hammond Introduced
 Mayor Brown then introduced James G. Hammond, secretary and treasurer of the town of Waterford State Council of Defense, who spoke as follows:
 Mayor Brown, Patriots Of Norwich: We are gathered here tonight to pay tribute and dc honor to OUT men se- lected for the national army and fur fher to help keep aiIve the fires of patriotism here a. home: for though | our troops overseas are enthusiastic in 1 the great cause of democracy, still | they are extremely anxious to know | the measure of support they are re- ceivingt rom the people at home, with out which they know they can accom- plish nothing.
 Liberty, founded on hardship and sacrifice, can be preserved only by | sacrifice and suffering-we have elect | ed to do our part in this great world | war, and it IS destined 70 be a big | part: it is no ehild's play that we have l in-but mans job,
 powerful anG resourceful enemy | naS bUilded up the most gigantic war l the world has ever known; l inc, central empires today have twelve | millions of men under arms and are | calling over two million young men to | the colors annually. Germany today tas conquered and controls six coun- -ries and their capitals, and is slowly | absorbing the great Russian country, with it's population nearly double that 1 of the United States.
 \. Are Watching Russia.
 We in America who are watching Russia with sn eagerness that Is not lntinged with fear are inclined to be inpatient. Secure in the possession of individual liberty, which we have earned not to interpret as individual license, we cannot see wty so trifling ! thing as mere revolution that un- seated desrot Tn day should have weakened-sh>uId have almost dissi- powers of a great nation It would seem to us that Russia should nave been strengthened inmeasure- ably by the revolution ard the over throw of the autocracy.
 But we have forgotten the struggles md the sacrifices by which our own iberty has been won and made secure. We forget the long and bloody eight years during which barefooted Ameri- 'an revolutioHists left their bloody ootmarks on the snow. and left their ,ones on the battlefield. We forget he war of 1912, which was fought to make good the liberties won in t11e Revolution. We forget all the strug- ,les since that time that, a.i taken to- .ether, have had a part in the making if the American republican of today.
 Franoe-GIorious France.
 Nor do we remember Ffance-glori- 1 ,us F'rance-whose present liberties, ,arring the menace of German might were made good by years Of blood and truggIe. for when liberty was won . | was necessary to teach the people he difference between liberty and I- ense;, because the lesson was burned ( nto the very soul of France by suffer ! ng and sacrifice it has never been ! orgotten. l