The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-01-15
A GOOD BET.


Without sacrilege, let us consider thi
war as game of chance.
Most wars have been--some of then
with nothing but gamblers chance
and the love of ito justify their initia
tion and performance.
This war is different
This war is for the spiritual life o.
death of the world.
This war is to put humanity above tn,
power to plumber and enslave-or t.
abandon the world and democracy tc
the barbarism of the beast.
Every soldier, true to type, instructive
| ~ thrills to the spirit of adventure.
For good or glory, as he sees it,
| His personal sacrifice is wager with
death ON the triumph of his principles.
| Even raw, unchastened youth has its
uniformed dream.
But most of although that dream
shines the prize of victory full-armed
youth yaliantly sets out TO win
So the dice are thrown or the cards
drawn as surely as the soldiers aim
counts its game.
Let us say, then, war is a bet.
Which way are you betting on this
war;
You American, in your bank or on
your farm, or directing your factory or
store-counting your profits, wherever
you may be-what are you betting on?
For once, we cannot say we are living
just for to-day,
This war is a thing of destiny-and
destiny settles her affairs and sets up
her business tomorrow.
A good many Americans OF great
wealth have whole heartedly given both
themselves and their fortunes to the holy
cause
They made this double gift because
what they are fighting for is what first
made them Americans gave them the
right to serve the right and to save it
for the oppressed and exiled of earth
Some Of these young men were city
bred, knowing luxury. fame, social ad-
vantage and the uses of unlimited in
come. Some We're from the great out
doors, champions of the soil or the for
est or of the hidden wealth of the noun
tains.
They had made opportunity and cashed
in on the high values of their own erea-
ton.
If anyone had right 20 bet life or
fortune on the outcome of this war. these |
men had.
But they took this chance: They could |
not fail, they must not fail, they dare
not fail
Which way are you betting on this
war?
1t is said no man takes his gold or his
estates with him beyond this life 1t is
equally true that no man viii retain his
yold or his estates-or the freedom to
sain more--if the Hun wins the bet he
las made with humanity
You are, perhaps, too old for military
ervice, but you are not past the age of
sense.
What will your millions do against the
will of Wilhelm, on the day he reckons
and gives ont the new rules
# trade, taxes and obedience, to con-
uered America?
Would you bet with the devil on the
anctity of moral treaty.
Remember Belgium.
Remember the Lusitania
Remember the kaiser credo-"Me und
lott"
The betting man loves fair play and !
n open board. :
These dice are all loaded: these cards
II marked; every promising horse in the
ace is druggcd.
The German dopesters have one rule
win, you loseI win, anyhow"
This is the last call to the sporting
lood of America. To the good sporting
Iood; bad blood has no sport in it.
And you can't bet alone.
You must bet with all the world
gainst the one man not of it,
II isn't just the safety of your real
tate. or your investments, or your vast
-operties and prospects.
1t is the manhood and womanhood of
merioa that make all these things
orth having and protecting.
Imagine going to your office some fine
orning. being roughly iostled into the
litter BY an insolent Prussian officer.
len to find your letters opened, your
fe looted. YOUR business annexed by
arman military necessity"
Imagine going home. 10 find your house
eupied bv registering German officers.
'ur art treasures appropriated OF de
royed by German kultur. your wife
ID daughters outraged BY these broth
$ Of the beast. who must have relaxa-
,n"
Are YOU a good sport
You are always open to a bet on the
II game. the weather, the UP or down 7
wheat, the election. the speed OF a
at. auto, horse or train, or the turn Of
ard
Come, now
DO family. fortune. faith in the flag.
an anything 10 YOU
l. to-dav's market more than to-poF-
vs. security
i j. your ante
There's no limit e. patriotism or what
d want t. put behind IL. 4
- - -. .,a.-~sr = 40