Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-09-14
LESSON NO. 81
THE SPIRIT OF THE SERVICE

preceding Lessons: l. Your Post of
Honor. 2. Making Good as a Sol
dier. 8. Nine Soldierly Qualities.
4. Getting Ready for Camp. o.
First Days in Camp. 6. Cleanli-
ness in Camp. Z. Your Health. s.
Marching and Care of Feet. 8.
Your Equipment and Arms. 10.
Recreation in Camp. IL. Playing
the Game. 12. Teamwork in the
Army. 13. Grouping Men into
Teams. IA. The Team Leaders. l 5.
Fighting Arms of the Service. 16.
Staff Branches of the Service.
IT. Staff Branches of the Service
II. is. Army Insignia. 19. The
Army system of Training. 90.
Order Drill. %. Guard Duty 23.
Getting Ahead in the Army. "a.
Army Courtesy. 25. Discipline
and Respect for the Colors. 20.
Some National Traditions.)
The spirit that dominated the
American Armies at Bunker Hill,
New Orleans. Buena Vista, Gettys-
burg and Santiago will just as sure
ly dominate the National Army on
the battle fields of Europe.
This spirit is a compound. 1t is
made up in part of democratic feel
ing, in part of respect and love for
the Nation, and in part of Ameri-
canism.
The United States Army has al
ways been and will always remain a
democratic Army. Every man in the
Army is made to feel that his brains
and his individuality count for some
thing. 1t is not merely big, soulless
machine that moves with mechanical
precision. 1t is team" Each man
in the team is presumed to be in
telligent and self-reliant.
Democracy in the Army
OF course there can be no team
work without regularity and strict
discipline. This is equally true of
football or baseball team. There
must also be various ranks and de-
grees of authority. And sometimes
this necessary organization and close
regulation creates an impression that
the Army is not democratic.
But the fact of the case is that
American soldiers accept the reason
able discipline of the Army readily
because they have the good sense to
realize that these things are neces-
sary. They accept them without los
ing in the least their real independ-
ence as free citizens.
Furthermore, American armies
are democratic because the patch of
who has a reasonable amount of
ability can practice, can study can
cultivate the qualities of a soldier
and leader, and calI work his way
up. And this is the real test of a
democratic army.
In a special sense tho National
Army is democratic. A great democ-
racy must always carry on its affairs
through chosen representatives. You.
are doubtless familiar with this prin-
ciple as it is applied in time of
peace. Now it is applied in time of
war. Through process of fair Sc,
lection 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 ev-
cry generation who insist that pa
triotism is dead or at least decaying.
They have not been lacking in re-
cent years Then comes a crisis such
as now confronts us. And always
the question of patriotism is answer
ed by free outpouring of effort,
money, and blood on the part of citi-
zens of all types in every section of
the country. This is exactly what
is now going on-and what will con-
tinue to go on with increasing force
until the war is brought to a vic
toriouS end.
Everybody Must Help
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 Ma