The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-06-05
A Step Nearer Reality
of War Finds American
Patriotism On the Job

You may recall that the eHooS'" "P
was cone by throwing ball bat from
the chosen leader Of one side TO the
leader OF the other side.
From the point at which il was caught
the respective leaders would grip me
bat. hand over hand. and the one whose
hand first reached the small end of the
bat. 20 that jack-knife drawn across
would not cut it, had the first choice from
the baseball material standing at hand.
And you may recall, If you were
among the players first chosen lhat
YOU felt somewhat honored by the els
tinction.
II is with a sense of honor and pride
that the young man may put his name
TO the registration list today as one OF
the first to be chosen for Uncle sam
side in the great game in which ths
country is just taking the field.
The best players are always chosen
first.
The distinction should thrill the eligi-
bles.
Theodore Roosevelt remarked on Dec
Grafton Day: Il do not feel sorry for the
man nho will be among the first TO go
i envy him"
And Theodore Roosevelt's American
ism is the kind of Americanism that is
looking on as the young men take their
pens in hand for the first telling stroke
against an autocratic kaiser
These young men, who practically en-
list today, need contemplate their march
ing away to war with nothing like ap-
prehension that they are to be forgotten
and LETT to shift for themselves.
There is many an American past the
eligible age, who feels about 1t exactly
as Col. Roosevelt does, and who says to
them:
GO to it, lad, and I'll see you thru.
Eve older ones will be watching you
and We won't see you licked.
'If you need us well be there.
That is the spirit of the United States
today as it gets the first taste Of wars
reality.
Everybody knows what these reglstra-
tons mean, and the pulse Of every red
blooded American quickens and his heart
beats faster.
This is meaningful day for many a i
mother and many a father in our coun-
try, but in their cases we find the in
spring combination of parental love and
willingness to make the sacrifice, giving
to the flag those whom they hold dearest
and who represent that which to them is
life itself.
The little bundle in swaddlings that
the doctor brought; that mother
nursed; that crept and then steadied it
self on its feet and walked from one
chair to another and finally shed It's
dresses for the first pair of knee trousers
and became boy, is soon to don khaki
and vacate that big gap in homes and
hearts that he filled.
1t seems TO mothers and fathers but
yesterday when they were trying to in
terpret baby's lisps; there is not bit
of doubt about the meaning Of this call
that comes from country.
1t is very clear and plain and possible
of only one Interpretation.
But there are no slackers among
these mothers and fathers.
They are meeting THEIR duty, un-
whimperingly. and it is a part Of the
glory of the day.
American patriotism-the real Simon
pure ARTICLES just beginning today TO
find itself.
1t is a patriotism that is not selfish
that frowns on cowardice and cheers
sacrifice and appauds bravery
II asks no one man to do it all, and
when these young men answer the call
and 30 away, they will be followed by
the interest of watchful fellow citizens.
already knapsacked in spirit and mark
ing time for the word that their help is
needed.
We attach little Importance to the
anti-draft sentiment because of our own
faith in this patriotism
Wherever anti-draft sentiment may
happen 10 be found 'orQanized and traced