The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1918-07-19

grave without reason or excuse. linen
after three long years Of disinterested
watching we knew that mad king who
was sweeping across the fields OF Eu-
rope, blasting homes in Belgium, STAY
ing old women, men and children, that
was starving Russia, and destroying
churches and poisoning WelIs-we knew
that power sooner or later would come
across the sea and take from US every
thing that was dear and holy to US.
We knew that our interests were no
longer separated from the interests of
little Belgium, England, Italy, France.
We knew that they had been fighting
our fight. spilling their blood upon the
fields of Europe in defense of us, in de-
tense of our homes, our flag and prin-
ciples for which it stands. And now
we are going. We are going millions
strong and those boys are among the
army that will not return until the
world has been made safe for the de-
cent, peaceful intercourse of Christian
people.
Behold that tablet. There stand the
names of the standard bearers of Amer
lea in the hottest war that was ever
waged for the free government Of
men. They are offering their lives to-
day, this very hour, in the greatest
sacrifice that man can make. Greater
love hath no man than that he offer his
life for his friend. That your sons,
flower of your young manhood, offer up
the dearest treasure that they possess
their lives-for what? For an ideal.
For a principle What a browning
glory for the life Of man!
And there is one, who has already
gone to his last reward. There is
one who bears the golden star. There
is one mother who has made the great
est sacrifice. Citizens OF Edgerton,
bow your heads, take off your hats,
salute that lad who has already passed
into the great beyond; whose name is
now linked with the heroes Of our fight
for freedom in '76 and 81.
Members of the Grand Army, you
must, you do, we know, feel paternal
| They are about to take from your
shoulders the great burden. They are
now walking in your footsteps, bearing
upon their stalwart shoulders the load
that you once carried. They are now
following that flag upon the fields Of
| France just as YOU once followed it,
panions died for that unconQuerable
treasure an ideal.
How fortunate that you have chosen
this day as the day on which to do
honor to the boys. The 18th day Of
July, the national independence day Of
France The day on which the citizens
of that autocratic kingdom overthrow
| the last emblem Of tyranny and des-
! potism.
| / would ask you to be patriotic and
help your country by displaying the
| proper consideration and by displaying
! the proper respect for the loyalty of
! your fellows of German birth or ances-
! try if he deserves that honor. / would
! say to you, do not be patriotic by cast
! ing reflections upon the loyalty or the
| patriotism of your neight'or who bears
| German name or has German blood
! in his veins. These men, the great
majority of them, are just as loyal as
citizens of any other nation.
Today upon this platform there are
many mothers of those boys who are
fighting upon a foreign shore, many
mothers of German birth and ancestry.
l know that the sacrifice will remove
from your hearts and minds, if any
still fingers there, as to the justice of
Americas cause. | know that by this
sacrifice you are offering upon the altar
of your country you will come forth
sterling, staunch, patriotic Americans.
Now upon that staff is unfurled the
flag that patriots have offered up in
the memory of the patriots of 1918.
You select men of Edgerton over there
this day in the fields of Italy and
France, turn westward your eyes and
gaze upon what is entrusted to your
care by these patriots of other wars.
The test is here. If justice fails it is
our fault If the torch of liberty is
extinguished, ours the blame. If that
flag falls, those people of other shores
who have learned to love it, who have
painted the stars in field of hopeful
blue, and drawn each stripe hopeful
red. will grow respondent ard reproach
you. Protect that flag and bring II
back to US unsullied, unstained, unde-
feated.
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