The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1917-11-15
HOME READING COURSE
for CITIZEN SOLDIERS
Issued BY the War Department and All
Rights to Reprint ReSerUed
THE SPIRIT OF THE SERVICE.

Inc spirit that dominated the Amer
lean armies at Bunker Hill, New Or
leans, Buena Vista, Gettysburg and
Santiago will just as surely dominate
the National army OF the battlefields
of Europe.
This spirit is compound. 1t is
made up in part. of democratic feeling,
in part of respect and love for the ma
ton, and in part of Americanism.
The United States army has always
been and will always remain demo-
cratic army. Every man in the army
is made to feel that his brains and his
individuality count for something. 1t
is not merely big, soulless machine
that moves with mechanical precision.
1t is 'team." Each man in the team
is presumed to be intelligent and self
reliant.
OF course there can be no teamwork
without regularity and strict discipline.
This is equally true of a football or
baseball team. There must also be
various ranks and degrees of authority.
And sometimes this necessary organi-
ZatiOn and close regulation creates an
impression that the army is not demo-
cratic.
But the fact Of the case is that
American soldiers accept the reason
able discipline of the army readily be-
cause they have the good sense to
realize that these things are necessary.
They accept them without losing in the
least their real independence as free
citizens.
Furthermore, American armies are
democratic because the path of promo
ton is wide open. Any man who has
reasonable amount of ability can prac-
tice, can study, can cultivate the quail
ties of soldier and leader, and can
work his way up. And this is the real
test Of a democratic army.
In q special sense the National army
is democratic. A great democracy must
always carry on it's affairs through
chosen representatives. You are doubt
less familiar with this principle as it
is applied in time of peace. Now it is
applied in time of war. Through
process Of fair selection the National
army has been picked to represent all
parts Of the country and all groups OF
the people. Never has America sent
forth an army so truly representative
of the nation.
There are always pessimists in every
generation who insist that patriotism
is dead or at least decaying. They
have not been lacking in recent years.
There comes a crisis such as now con-
fronts us. And always the question OF
patriotism is answered by free out
pouring of effort, money and blood on
the part of citizens of all types in
every section of the country. This is
exactly what is now going on-and
what will continue to go on with in
creasing force until the war is brought
to victorious end.
Every citizen of the United States
now has or will have certain duties to
perform, certain sacrifices to make.
The burden does not rest wholly upon
you and other men who take up arms.
1t rests in part also upon the men and
women who stay behind. For modern
war on a big scale demands that the
whole nation, in a sense, should go to
war. The tasks required of some may
be harder than the tasks required OF
others, but all of them are necessary
in order to make sure of the result.
Many manufacturers and workers
often women as well as men-must
give up their own work and plans in
order to produce war supplies. Those
who remain where they now are-be-
cause they are engaged in some occupa-
ton just as necessary in war as In
peace, such as farming, mining, run
ming railroads, and the like-must go
at their work with redoubled energy
and without expecting profits for
themselves; it would be great mis-
take If everyone were taken away from
these necessary lines of effort in order
to Join the cOlors as soldier. ALI
must carry heavy burden of taxa
ton.
Certain men-among whom you are
one-have been or will be chosen as
representatives of the nation to defend
our rights and safety on the battlefield.
You and your fellow soldiers are Sc
lected from the young mem of the coun-
try who are best fitted for military SER
vice.
This process of organizing the whole
~
completed in a day. But 1t is steadily
going on. 1t will necessarily go on I'M
til the end o. the war. You will have
back of you and supporting you the
whole country-all its people and all
its wealth. Congress spoke the will OF
the nation in the declaration of war:
ITO bring the conflict to successful
termination all the resources of the
country are hereby pledged"
The patriotic spirit which moves the
whole country will find its highest ex-
preston in its soldiers-the men who
are assigned to the post of danger and
of honor. They will go all the more
willingly since they know that behind
them the whole nation is organizing
for the national service. Their spirit
will be one of patriotic devotion fully
as intense as that of American, armies
in previous wars.
The spirit of democracy and of pa
triotism is to be found also in .the
armies Of other nations fighting
against German aggression. In addi-
a.
own spirit of Americanism. 1t will