Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-09-19
SOLDIERS Leave FOR
j. S. TRAINING CAMP
THIRTY-SEVEN MEN ENTRAIN FOR
MOBILIZATION CAMP NEAR
DES MONIES.
CITIZENS GIVE BOYS SEND.OFF,
large Crowd Gathers at Illinois Gen.
tral Station This Morning to Say
Farewell To Boys.


Farewell To Boys.
The second quota of men from Della
ware county for the National army
left Manchester this morning at 8:05
over the Illinois Central for Camp
Dodge, where the men from Iowa and
other northern states will assemble
this week for training.
Early this morning the fire whistle
was blown to awaken the people of
Manchester, and it was but short
time before vast crowd began to
assemble at the court house, where
the men answered to roll call, and
where a brief program was given in
their honor. The Oak Grove band
played patriotic selections, and just
before leaving for the station Repre-
sentative s. w. Klaus of Earlville
delivered a few parting words to the
boys Following the remarks by Mr..
Klaus, A. M. Cloud, on behalf of the
Manchester Commercial club, deliv-
cred a short farewell message to
the boys. Editor w. S. Beals of Hop
kinton had charge Of the informal
out door meeting, and introduced the
two speakers, and also expressed his
pleasure at being able to stand be-
fore the young men who have been
called from this county, to answer
the call of their country.
Mr.. Clouds parting message to the
boys of Delaware county who left
for Camp Dodge this morning, fol-
lows:
Heretofore 1 would have addressed
you as fellow citizens and neighbors.
Now I have the honor of saluting you
as American soldiers, the officially
designated representatives Of the
greatest republic of earth, appointed
I. to represent it upon the field of honor.
On behalf of the Manchester Com
mercial Club, Soldiers, bid you God
speed, victory and a safe return.
We tried meagerly to honor you
through our Military Day" at our re-
cent Jubilee, and considered the hold
ing of an honorary mass meeting on
last evening before your departure.
However after full consideration we
/, decided. your loved ones had para
mount right, and that we could not
trespass upon the last few hours, sa-
cred between you and your loved ones,
your wives, fathers. mothers, sweet
hearts, sisters, brothers and babies.
You have answered the call Of your
country to do battle and If need be to
die. You are going upon a hazardous
and serious mission, yet let me remind
1you that the mortality record of the
war shows thus far but about per
cent. of casualties of the number en-
gagged. The death rate in numerous
oivii occupations outruns this greatly.
Our love and our prayers are with
you and will accompany you over
whatever route you may be called up
On to travel to the end.
The autocratic Military Goliath of
the middle ages has come forth and is
mortally assaulting an unprepared
unsuspecting world. You will meet
and conquer him as David of Old. The
result of the titanic struggle involves
the happiness and liberty of mankind.
The cause you are stalking your lives
on is more vital to humanity, Democ-
racy, your nation and your loved ones,
than all other human matters.
Your property rights, your political
freedom, your liberty, the very sacred
ness of your homes have all been at
tackled by a powerful and ruthless
enemy. The sacredness of interna-
tional treaties and agreements has
been scorned, the peaceful commerce
Of your country, and the lives OF your
innocent kinsmen have been destroyed
upon the high seas without worning
or opportunity given for escape, all
that the DEGREES of military autocracy
might dominate the world.
B Repeated warnings and appeals for
observance International law and
our national rights have all been 1g-
nored and subordinated to the sinister
military expedfency.
No alternative was left but ignoble
submission or war.
The spirit and blood of your race,
the sacrifice purchased by our fore
fathers of our cherished liberties, the
preservation on the earth of "a govern
nent of the people" and the security
and happiness of your loved ones all
answered liberty or death. War was
thrust upon us. In whatever suffer-
ings, hardship or trials you may nave
to endure, whether it be in actual
combat, under the roar of the cannon,
the shrek of the bursting shell, the
excrutiating pangs of liquid fire, the
terror of poison gases, the hand to
hand grenade or the sting OF bullet,
shrapnel, saber or bayonet; whether
it be in weary trench fighting, IN wet
sloughs, under the frigid rain, snow
and sleet, or under the swelterlng
sun: remember you are the appointed
knights of liberty and free govern
ment of the world and that God and
right are with you and you shall pre-
vail against the very gates OF hell
Remember your loved ones and
your countrymen are with you ana Will
follow you whatever the cost may be,
to a4victory insuring peace.
We know you will give an honorable
account of yourselves. We know you
will keep yourselves clean in spirit
and body worthy of the great cause
and people you represent, and aloof
from any of the barbarities or abhor-
rent crimes against either your pris-
oners or the evil population and that
you will return stronger physically
morally, mentally and relig1ously.
Whatever may happen individually to
any of you or we who come after you,
each American soldier at the victor