Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-05-01
The Entire Town and Community
Turn Out to Attend a "War
Rally a Great
Success.
WEBSTER CITY MEN ATTENDED
Williams Will Certainly be Heard
From Later 0n.-Good Ad.
dresses Were Made.

Probably one of the most enthus-
iastic meetings ever held in Hamil-
ton county, along similar lines, was
held in Williams Friday after
noon, when practically the entire
town and community turned out to
attend "war rally"
Colonel Hyatt, Major Lund. Cap
tain Smith and Lieutenant Soder-
holm, with thirteen enlisted men
from this place, attended the meet
ing, and two of the officers took part
in the program.
When the train stopped at VIII
liams, the band struck up lively
martial air, and the procession con-
sisting of citizens and school child
rem marched to the opera house and
those who could, took seats, while a
large number were compelled to
stand, many of them in the hallway.
w. H. Rick, chairman, called upon
the band for selection. Following
this number, Rev. Smith was called
upon to deliver an address and for
twenty minutes kept his audience
thoroughly interested in what he
had to say concerning the interna-
tional strife. Among the things Of
which he spoke, and upon which he
placed the most decisive accent, was
the fact that the United States had
never been for oppression or con-
quest, but that she believed in the
rights of humanity and that she
would stand for that at all times. He
said that while President Wilson
was seemingly slow and irresponsive.
to begin with he now had absolute
faith in what the president would do
henceforth. His definition of the
word "conscription" was equal res
possibility"
Rev. Smith concluded by giving a
straight from the shoulder talk to
the young men, telling them that
nothing would give them greater
self-respect, and vindicate them in
their own minds, than to enlist and
show their willingness to serve their
country, their nation, and their flag.
LET no one discourage you by crit
icism," added Rev. Smith.
Pupils of the school then sang
"The Star Spangled Banner" and
America, Love You," followed by
the strains of Yankee Doodle" by
the band.
w. F. Cole of Webster City a
former professor of schools at Will
liams, as well as an eX-superintend-
ent of Hamilton county, then gave a
pleasing talk. He told what Ameri-
canism meant, saying that while
all Americans were foreigners. true
American was one who had implicit
faith in the Declaration of Indepen-
dence ard would stick to the flag
Mr.. Cole said he was philosopher
when it came to defining the ques-
tion, What is War;" and likened
himself upto the stranger who sever
al years ago walked into a town out
west. The stranger was dusty and
tired. looked on the tough order and
a crowd soon gathered about him.
But while the crowd was gathering
the stranger was busy gazing at al
cows tail which had been stuck
through an auger hole of building
occupied by dealer in COW hides.
Finally some one in the crowd of
seekers ventured to ask the
stranger what it was that interested
him SO much and he answered say
ing, "I'm just wondering how in tar
nation that COW ever got through
that auser hole" WAR" said Mr..
Cole, MAY be likened unto the sick
boy, who has always been healthy
and sturdy. He may be alone to blame
for his sickness, or he may be sick
by accident. But he must either get
well or die. and so it is with war. 1t
may be brought upon the country by
their own carelessness, or it may he
by unavoidable accident, but it must
be fought to finish-must win or
lose.'
Following this address, Misses Os.
trem and Amundson sang, "Just Be
fore the Battle Mother" and to this
selection the hnusne.4eaAAnded with |