The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1918-03-28
THE QUIET OBSERVER
Many Parents Are Worrying
About Their BOYS Who
Have Gone Over.
By ERASMUS WILSON.

| InaC IN an army IN the Held is a most
distressing, place to be, particularly
when there are war doings going on
every day.
Indeed, good many think the men
are in g constant state of misery, men,
tally as well as physically when, really,
the very reverse is true.
Some of those who haye visited their
BOYS IN training camps say they were
surprised to find them so cheerful and
feeling so well satisfied.
But it is hard TO get those who have
not been to the camps to understand
this, even when their boys come home
and tell them how well they are cared
for, what good times they have. and
how both health and strength have been
| improved
Indeed they can't, or won't, believe
their own eyes, which is all the worse
for them.
BE OF COOP CHEER.
Those who won't believe, and they
are many, go on persisently discourage
ing their boys through their letters,
telling them of their fears of their be-
ing killed, and how they can't sleep of
nights for thinking of their depriva-
tons, sufferings and dangers.
Such letters are more dangerous than
shells, because they tend to weaken the
boys spiritually and physically, thus in
viting disease.
A sad, tear stained letter from home
is more to he dreaded than a high eX-
plosive bomb. But CHEEKY letter, one
telling the neighborhood news, what
folks at home are doing, and what is
being done for the boys IN camp and
oyer there, is better than medicine.
The men were never better and more
properly fed, never slept better, or had
better times than is afforded by the
camp and field; so don't try to undo
what the government is doing for then.
Keep your tears and misgivings to
yourself, sending kisses and wholesome
words instead.
In this way you can do your bit, and
a great big bit it will be, towards putt
ing an end to the war and bringing the
boys back home, save the few per-
manently detailed as guards of honor
for the field of glory.
SERIOUS BUSINESS.
War is serious business at best, but
that does not mean that the life of a
soldier is one of sadness and misery.
And what are we here for but TO at
tend seriously and earnestly to the bust
ness of making this world a better and
more wholesome place in which to
liYe; to remove obstacles in the way of
the development of higher types of men
and women. thus making life on earth
to compare we'll with the ideal life
which we call heaven.
Could we understand, or begin to
comprehend, the great truth that we
are Gods human agents through which
all human problems are to be solved,
we would not regard war as such ter
rible thing, but rather as a fine thing
for those who come after US.
Whatever is accomplished in the
material world must be accomplished
through material agents. The material
man was made human, part material
and part spiritual, in order that he
might rise beyond the material. In
this capacity he had to do with humanity
and its institutions, hence his call to de-
fend the right when assailed by selfish,
wicked men.
ANXIOUS TO END IT.
Had you heard Maj. Mccormack and
Maj. Maclean of Canada, each of whom
had gotten his n after participating in
the fighting on the Marine, Vimy and
Ypres. tell of their personal experiences,
and of the spirit OF the boys, the good
times they have between times, of
their cheerfuness and determination to
stay it out if it takes several summers
to clean up the job just right, you might
have gotten a clearer and more salts
factory impression concerning life in
the trenches.
They say the very best thing we can
do is to give our boys over there to I'M
derstand that the people at home are
behind them to finish This does not
mean hurrahs and prayers, but that
whatever they may need to enable
them to win lasting peace will be pro-
yided, and abundantly. and of as
good as the world affords.
That is the sort of support they need,
and giving this those of US who are at
home will do as much, really, as they
are doing, for means are as essential
as men. Neither can win the war
alone.
Therefore to withhold aid or SYM
pathy or encouragement is simply to
give aid and comfort to the enemy.
GIVING OF LIFE.
1900. IL L..