Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1917-04-20


Speakers Of various branches of SER
vice in the defense Of the country were
heard at the big patriotic rally. held
Thursday evening, in the Town hall
From the large number who attend
ed. Wake Up America Day was fit-
tingly observed In the Rose of New
England. Mayor Allyn L. Brown pre-.
sided and introduced the speakers.
A number of young ladies' dressed in
Red Cross uniforms acted as ushers.
Mayor Brown in opening the meet
ing briefly explained the purpose of
the meeting. solely patriotism. He ex-
pressed his gratitude for the large
number that were present and referred
to the fact that the meeting was suE-
gested by Mayor Mitchell of New York
for the purpose of recruiting through
out the country, and held on the an
niversary of the Battle of Lexington.
Mayor Brown stated that he thought
meetings of this kind were very i'm
portant at this time for he said that he
lack of proper appreciation of the
danger that lies ahead Of US. as we
are now in war and ought to wake up,
Wake up America. We are so far
from the scenes of war and we have
enjoyed peace so long that we cannot
realize that we are in the worlds
greatest war. These are crucial times
and times of thought. Mayor Brown
referred to the meeting he attended in
New Haven only recently, where John
R. Mott, whose statements can be re-
lied upon and one who has since the
war broke out had opportunities to
observe conditions in Europe, speak on
the condition in Europe. Mr.. Mott
has made two trips to the war 'front.'
the first soon after the war broke out
when there were some twelve to fif-
teen million men under arms and when
he went there the second time there
were some 40 million of men under
arms. There are over five million
men in prison camps and upon the
second trip he learned that the hatred
had increased in all countries on both
sides Of the conflict and that no where
in any country did he find any trace of
doubt as to the outcome of the war.
This war has ragged for three years
with deeper tensity of hatred and no
of confidence be found to be weaken
ing
1t will be sorry day. for the United
States if she don't get ready. The
scope to consider in preparing the
country is so broad that all subjects
are of vital interest to everyone.
What Are We Doing?
AS the first speaker Mayor Brown
introduced Col Charles Gale, recruit
ing officer for the Home Guard. Col.
Gale emphasized the fact that the
crisis is here and he said. you know
it as you all read the papers. We are
all up against the propositions. The
young men are called upon for enlist
ments in the National Guard and at
present there are a number of Nation
al Guardsmen doing duty right here,
and what are you doing? The men
doing duty here are nice bunch and
a big credit to the uniforms that they
wear. Next is our Coast Guard and
in this branch you hav the privilege
of entering the forts in gunnery and
this is not privilege to all. Then
there is the regular army and when
a young man goes in the army and
comes out again he is a better man.
Then there are other branches of the
marine service. etc. You find your
place, don't wait to be called upon. A
young man enlisting as a private has
the opportunity TO be an officer if he
has the ambition and red blood in him.
Don't wait until they tap you on the
next branch is the Connecticut Home
Guards, composed of married men with
terms of service calling for two years.
The prime object of the Home Guard
is military training at home, defensive
duty in only your onw state. We
have at the present time two full
companies of rs men, and a fine body
of men. and in the third company at
present we have 40. We all want peace
and if we are not willing to fight for it,
we are not deserving of it.
The Part Labor Plays.
introduced Robert NIcNeeley, business
agent of the allied trades of Norwich.
In part Mr.. McNeeley said:
1 bring to you tonight a confidence
based on the records of the past, that
the toilers now as well as then. will
meet their full share. in what may be
necessary to protect Liberty, further
Equality, and demand Justice.
In all big, things. leadership is an es-
sentia1 part We have had our
WaShinprt0n OI1r TjncoIp o,Ir Moproa
and our Mckinley. men who have de-
voted their all to that Liberty, Equal
ity and Justice should be administered
to a free people: How well this has
been carried out is evidenced by the
thousands, who. tired of bondage of
one form and another, have focked to
our shores. Here was the opportuni-
-ty to be all that the individual was
capable Of becoming. AS in the nation,
so in the state. our Trumbel. our
Buckingham. Then our city's honored
leaders, Huntington. Green and Osgood
served New England's blushing Rose,
and answered yes where duty called.
The work of the past commenda-
BILE though it is, needs the brain and
sinew of the present. to not only keep
the heritage purchased, but to enlarge
and broaden :ts scope until it takes
In the whole Human Family. by Uni
versal Proclamation of all men being
Free and Equal. Leaders have always
inspired, and I believe always will. In
Norwich our leader. our mayor. among
the first to answer to the call is an in
spiration to the Home Guard. We are
boastful tonight and justly so, in our
leader of the Nutmeg State. Governor
Holcomb, with the courage of youth
and the wisdom of experience, he is
leading. Shall we follow? Through
what we believe to have been one of
the most trying tests of patient for
bearance. facing a responsibility per-
haps never equalled in history. with
calmness and decision of purpose, our
Presidents message to the special
sesCfon of the 65th congress, Keys
our Patriotism.
The "Grand, Old Man.
What of labor's part in our country's
need? Again. leadership. Let me
point with pride to our Grand Old
Man." Samuel Gompers. president of
the American Federation of Labor his
work in the interest of the toiIing
masses. Lifting them from industrial
EIa n industrial frAadnr1 zfa