The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1918-04-09
TO OUR SOLDIER BOYS

our boys realize the void tha'
their departure has left in oul
community, and more than that, the
aching voids in the honest AnC
then we go on to wonder if we
ourselves, appreciate, not what We
have lost, but of what you have
so bravely surrendered for oui
sakesi
And from these thoughts the mind
projects itself into the future and
we in thought follow you as you GO
to meet the ominious force that is
menacing humanity-that force
that would make of you and us mere
chattels and pawns on its chess
board. We see that the force ar
rogant in its strength, insolent in
its might and defiant of right and
Justice. We see it riding down OPP
position with a ruthless stride and
brushing aside human rights as it
would straws that impeded its pro-
gress. And we wonder how, when
the great test comes, you, our joy
and pride, will meet it.
But the thought does not pro-
gress as far as a doubt, for follow
ing fast upon it come thoughts of
you as we know you heart to heart.
We know you to be born without
fear, standing unafraid before God
and man; men of clean lives and
clear consciences, whose deep-seat-
ed consciousness Of the business
and righteousness of their cause
will nerve their arms to the fiber of
steel. We know you for men who
would prefer death to dishonOr,
and in whom the yellow is notedly
absent. And our hearts are at rest.
We can proceed with the less
weighty duties that devolve upon
US, secure in the knowledge that
the honor of our homes and coun-
try is safe in your hands.
But we cannot but wonder, boys,
if you fully sense the great, the
noble thing that you are doing?
Do you realize that you are max
ing history-and history such as
has never before been written?
That is the task you have set
yourselves. You have gone to meet
a crisis in world history before
which all previous crisis pale to
meager proportions. You are act
ors in the greatest drama of the
human race, and on your actions
hangs the destiny of a world. We
would. not seek to awe you by cit
ing the tremendousness of the task
before you, but rather to set before
you the golden reward that shall
call forth in you all of manhood
that has come down to you from a
line of ancestors who have never
known either defeat or dishonor.
These are not mere sentimental
musings, dear boys, but they are
the truths that impress themselves
upon all our minds as we view the
mighty problems that the world
must solve, and in the solving OF
which you will represent your
people, your homes, your country
and your God.
And when your task is cOmplet-
ed and you return to us in the tri-
umph of a righteous victory, we
trust to have sufficient apprecia-
ton to give you that welcome that
You will so richly merit. We hope
to be able to show TO you that We
are not ungrateful for your service
aud your sacrifice.
And at this point we pause TO
wonder what will be our feelings if
WE shall fail in the tasks that con-
front us, and without the faithful
performance Of which your work
will be doubly difficult. And the
desire is born that a united prayer
shall go up from YOUR hearts
that we be given grace TO perform
our part Of the great work.
W. S. s.
NOTICE