The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1918-02-28
Boys Leaving for Camp
Dodge on Special Train
Public Meeting Held in Junior High Audi.
forum in Honor of Second Quota of
First Draft at 1000 O'clock.
PROGRAM GIVEN FOLLOWED BY DINNER

statement. When you come back to
us you are going to make conquest
of the greatest land under The sun.
For years, after the civil war, those
men who had fought for us, ran the
country. And so when you come back
to the United States of America, you
will find that the country will be
yours, that it will be given to you,
and I, for my part, will be glad
turn it over to YOU"
The next speaker. to be introduced
was the man who has been dubbed by
the Home Guard, "The Calling Gun
of Sank Centre" Without waiting
for the name the audience knew that
the reference was to the Rev. Sparkes
His remarks were addressed directly
to the departing men.
"He said, 81 think the only reason
you are obliged to listen to so many
speeches is that you may become used
to the hardships before you.
eff | were going to France,
should want answers to three ques-
tons: First, Why am I called on to
give up home, occupation, leave my
wife, mother or sweetheart and go
across to fight? You are fighting to
defend those very loved ones that you
ar eleaVing. You are defending your
are leaving. You are defending your
German army were just outside
Stearns county. Mr. Gerard says
If Germany wins the war, she will ex-
pect an indemnity Of $500 per capita.
"Second-What are the people go
ing do, who are still here? We are
behind you've shall fight the enemy
at home, the man who is not 100 per
cent American. We shall see that you
are well equipped; that you have
enough to eat and clothing to keep you
warm. We shall make the fight easy
for YOU. You are leaving a whole
army of women, knitting and sewing
for you.
"Third-What are the chances for
success? We are going to win, for
right is bound to triumph over wrong;
we shall rid the land of the menace of
Kaiserism. We must win, in the name
of God and humanity.
eve are proud of you and we have
faith in you because you come from
the United States. You will carry
Old Glory to a speedy and lasting
victory"
Rev. Goodger was next introduced
as the man who had not been in Sank
Centre long, but who had already
made a place for himself.
Mr.. Goodger said: "Just as indi-
viduals have destiny, so nations
have one. There is Providence that
shapes our ends, rough hew them as
we may And just as people have
faces, no two looking alike, so nations
have faces. Many things have gone
into the making of America. We
might call the Rocky Mountains the
backbone of America, the fertile val
legs laughing with corn, which feed
the world, the smile of that face.
"As/w we remember the heroes of our
past history, we get new inspiration
and fresh purpose. George Washing
ton, saw Lafayette and gained his
help in our previous struggle; Abra-
ham Lincoln, fighting against odds,
made right prevail in the Civil war.
eve are in Lent now, the time in
which the greatest tragedy of all the
ages was enacted. It is a significant
thing that our president declared the
United States to be in a state of war
against Germany on Good Friday, just
a year ago. For that reason, we cam
not help but believe that our spiritual
gifts, those given by God and nourish-
ed and cared for by Him, will go with
us in this present struggle. His
presence will be with you always. God
bless you."
Chas. Ladner, of st. Cloud, county,
chairman Of the Public Safety Com
mission was next on the platform. Mr..
Ladner is small, but effective. Hell
reminds one of a bullet which does not
look as pugnacious as a shell, but
often strikes in a vulnerable place. His
remarks covered about FIVE nlinutesl
of time, of which these quotations are