Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-07-23
THEIRS IS THE ACCOLADE

LIVERY man who goes into the new
army goes as the champion Of every
( other mans or woman's faith in tn,
processes Of law and Justice His sacrific,
b great whether he feels tho thrust OF
German steel or German assassination
tasks assigned him. The discipline of the
camps will be rigid and severe. The
habits Of years will be broken. Men who
have dawdled will work by the side Of
men who since infancy have faced strug
gle ana are used to 1t. The man who
, boasts six generations OF American an
cestors will sleep In tho tent with the son
Of the immigrant who twenty-five years
ago packed his belongings in a handker
chief and shipped In the steerage for the
promised land. Caste dropped out Of the
nation when the draft was sanctioned and
pure democracy took its place.
There is none, we trust. so selfish and
% hardened that a sense Of gratitude does
not thrill him as he contemplates the
supreme sacrifice his fellow citizens are
making. They are taken from their ap-
pointed positions in life. Many will leave
businesses which they have spent their
youth in upbuilding. Others will take
leave Of splendid opportunities which
their abilities opened for them. A few
. very few. we hope-will be taken from
their wives. 1t Is violent exercise OF
sovereignty to ask so much of men. 1t
- superb definition of democracy and
an overwhelming evidence of the devotion
u inspires that the great public itself
demanded. even gloriously insisted that
the Congress adopt this policy.
Conscription by order of a Government
without right Of the people to oppose, is
the conscription which has come down
Through history as a frightfuI, awful
always by free people. But this democ-
racy has given the word "conscription"
Q new meaning. 1t is the accolade now
OF sacrifice and patriotism. the beginning
OF the sort Of universal service that
enhances a thousandfold the might Of
democracies in war; guaranteeing, indeed.
their permanence, and answering in terms
OF efficiency the taunt OF autocracy that
freedom breeds diffusion Of strength and
6oreordains its disciples to martial weak
ness. For this great truth is vital: the
Government has not called its sons to
service; its sons have called themselves.
This is the soberest period the world
has ever known. Men have served in
little wars and had their need Of praise
but these men who soon go to prepare for
service go to great war. where the tail
Of hell lashes the hillsides day and night
and only the valiant can Withstand the
strain; where the accustomed bravery
Of other ages has become the habitllal
routine of the day and death has lost
It's sting. To drive the Moloch back
youth must pour itself forward. That our
american youth proposes to do, confident
Of its strength, sure of it's ability, estab.
Lshed in its determination never to quit
until the things on which its heart is set
are fully and forever attained.
We say to these men that those OF us
who remain at home will do our share.
We shall eat less and we shall sleep less
4 by so doing we can aid them. Our
money shall flow into the national flsc
a endless streams for their support. Into
ehe Red Cross we shall throw whatever
funds are needed to aid the sick and
sounded. We shall keep clear the high
Ways of supply. The days now passing are
ehe great days Of American history, the
lays of which future generations shall
read for their inspiration. Well may we
glory in the spirit shown. 1t is a trumpet
AL to every sort of good citizenship.
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DO NOT CODDLE THE BOY