The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1918-08-03
BISHOP CORBETT ADDRESSES SOLDIERS

honored prestige. What reverence,
what honor, or what respect could
American citizenship, American blood,
American posterity hope to receive
from humanity should the present
generation of Americans fail in their
solemn duty in the present crisis. The
defense of our pristine honor, the
vindication of our international rights
and the glorification of our national
inheritance, purchased at the cost of
the wealth, the sacrifices and the blood
of our ever memorable ancestors, such
is the inestimable privilege of you, our
soldier boys.
Price of Victory.
The price of the conflict may be
strenuous, thrilling and enormous, but
all our history glows with acts of ma
tional and personal sacrifice, espe-
cially during the Revolutionary and
Civil Wars. Our high-spirited fore
fathers knew no hardships when the
country's welfare was at stake. Brave
ly, majestically and exultingly did
they march on in view of victory, en-
couraged by the aspect of our inspir-
ing flag and stimulated by the strains
of our martial music.
You, therefore, young men, inherit
ors of their soul-inspiring achieve
ments, are now ready to gladly take
up arms in this most terrible war
Vo,, m opf1IIIJy eyO forth with full LuOuI-
edge that the supreme sacrifice of life
may be demanded of you. Should such
befaIl you, the cry of every true Chris
tian citizen will be: prayers for our
fallen soldiers, cover their graves with
flowers, for they fought and fell like
heroes for this glorious land of ours.
You are resolutely prepared to shed
your blood that America may continue
her reign of property, preserve her
high standard of honor in the universe,
and that future generations may enjoy
the possession of permanent peace.
Deserving the proud title of liberators
from servitude, you will make our
own beloved America obtain the es-
teemed tribute of the worlds liberator
and cause her to be blessed among the
nations in vanquishing the powers
that brought sorrow, desOlation and
death to peace-loving people.
Citizens left at home appreciate the
constant dangers and hardships that
confront you on your journey and the
battlefield. Their gratitude in your
struggle for their liberty, respectable
ity, home and country goes beyond
measure. The knowledge of your no.
bic sacrifice will make us responsive
to your needs. Our share we pledge
to do in supplying you with things
necessary for the prosecution of the
war. The plain duty of every Ameri-
can citizen is indeed to do his best to
end the war by assisting to win the
war. While you, our defenders, are
making personal sacrifices, our gen.
erosity will not be wanting. United
America, in all it's power and wonder
full liberality, stands behind you in
your paramount struggle for lasting
peace for oppressed humanity. Shot
and shell to bear are not the lot of
those left at home, but unfaiIingIy
strengthen your arms, tighten your
burdens and cheer your hearts. The
public has already manifested its gen.
crosby and will, undoubtedly, continue
to comfort our soldier boys at home
and across the sea. ,a
Forward, therefore, soldier boys,
with steadfast faith in the God of
Armies, to battle unf1inchingly for the
reign of righteousness; forward, with
the powerful moral force of prayer
to the Eternal God, in Whose hands
lie the destinies of nations: forward
with indomitable courage, the Joy of
sublimity of purpose and with com
p1ete confidence in US left at home,
| OVer-anXiOus to furnish literally the
sinews of war. Our earnest hope is
that you will return home decorated
with badges of heroic bravery and
| self-sacrifice, holding aloof unspotted
our national flag floating to the
| breezes, our banner of Independence
power and glory, our recognized sym.
Dol of liberty, equality and fraternity
| our hallowed emblem of grandeur and
greatness, our unconquerable flag that
has fioated over many of our cradles
| and may it float over all our graves