Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1917-08-03
Terms strletIy In Advance
SOBER THOUGHTS

The Provost Marshal General, e, H.
Crowder, known as 1.-THE man who is
running the draft" has sent his final
note of warning to the members OF the
local exemption or selection boards
which will act during the next week or
two in the final draft of men for the
first army.
If there is one who does not appreciate
how solemn a ceremony the calling OF
1893 Addison County men to compulsory
service with the colors is, let them read
what the Provost Marshal says in his
letter to the local boards;
"'You are entering on difficult task
he warns them, the gravity Of which is
beyond anything that can be said in the
way of discussion. You realize the sig
nifcance of what you are to do, and
YOU know that responsibility, heavier
perhaps than you have ever faced, is
upon you.
WAR demands individual sacrifice to
the common cause, No people ever APP
preached war with calmer apprecia-
ton of that sacrifice or firmer resolve
to bear it and to present themsel YES TO
be classified for service in the place to
which it shall best serve the common
good to call them. This calm deter
mnation could not exist were it not for
the confidence of the nation in its insti-
tutions. In this public confidence 10
found the very spirit of the Selective
Service Law. The most sacred rights
of country. home, and family are en-
trusted for adjudication to local citizens
and officials, nominated by State Gov
ernors and appointed by the President.
The most equitable rules that could be
devised have been prescribed for
guidance, and the administration of
these rules and the sacrifice that is
offered by your neighbors is entrusted
to your hands.
From every one is demanded sac
rifce But there is one thought to be
kept always in your mind, The select
ed man offers his life. There is no
greater giving than this and that
thought should guide you always.
There may be few who will urge upon
YOU claims for exemption or discharge
that, whatever may be your lncllna-
tons of sympathy or affection, you Will
know ought not TO be granted. 1t Will
strengthen you to loss of money or
property. or for favor or affection, some
other man whose time would not other
wise come must incur the risk Of losing
his life.
There can be no room for hesitation
in such a case.
another fundamental thought is
this:
"You are not a court for the adjust
ment of differences between two per-
sons in controversy. You are agents of
the Government, engaged in selecting
men for the Government and there Is
no controversy. You, acting for the
Government, are to investigate each
case in the interests of the Nation,
and never in the interests Of an indl-
vidual There is not one exemption or
discharge in the law or regulations that
is put there for the benefit o. any indi-
vdua Al are there for the benefit
OF the Nation and to the end that the
whole Nation may be team in which
each man shall play the part for which
he is best fitted.
Therefore no one has vested right,
by himself or by attorney, to urge, by
argument or pleading, his individual
case upon you You should rigidly ex-
clude this. Ordinarily you should act
on the affidavits. If you"desire more
information you may proceed to get it.
If you doubt the affidavits you may in
terrogate other persons If you desire
more proof you may get it. But no
claimant has right to submit other
proof than that called for by Regula-
tions or than that you may call for. "