Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-08-12
Tom Marshall Tells About When
"The Sann1ieS Come Marching Hone'

when the Sammies come march
ing home" What will then be the
effect of war training on trapshoot-
ing. Uncle Sam has become the Of
ficial shooting tutor for 100000
men, who are now being intensiyely
trained in the cantonments and
ground schools to handle and accu-
rately shoot a gun.
Americas pioneer settlers had ne
cessity for a shooting preceptor. AT
that time personal and community
safety, in conjunction with table re-
quirements, made accurate shooting
a most valuable family asset. In
those days the blood curdling war
cry of the same lurking savage, who
to-day is in the front trenches over
there" fighting for a worlds democ-
racy, was continuously expected and
very frequently heard. The early
settlers firearms were at all times
conveniently located, both men and
women were skilled in the weapons
which at ali times are equalizers of
brute strength. Fatal object lessons
were frequently taught the aggres-
of staying their impetuous scalp
lifting procliVities.
In those days meat conservation
was made necessary, only with those
families, wherein the head was not
skilful with firearms in the secur-
ing of wild game for the family lar
fer. Another insistent demand arose
for aggressive shooting ability in the
shooting arena. Our country was
looked upon with jealousy by other
nations and a number of unsuccess-
full attempts were made to disinte-
crate our form of government. A
their part due to universal training
by that foremost of all teachers, ne
cessity. in accurate shooting and
firearm accomplishments of the
Yankee soldiers. This proved in all
instances to be the great balance of
power. AS a result of consistent
training, victory perched upon our
banners and Old Glory to-day floats
over the land of the free" and has
been carrierd into foreign ciimes by
our Army and Navy, assisting our
brother allies in throttling brutal
power against christianized democ-
racy.
Necessity for a number of years
has not been our official instructor,
due to the apparent security assured
by the lowering of the dove of peace
over our homes in America, per-
manent amnesty with all nations,
had been to all external appearances
established. We did not suspicion as
a nation that the insidious Boche
was making extensive internal prep
arations 10 dominate all world pow
ers. Our most stable and depend
able assurance of continuous peace,
preparedness, with universal train
ing in the handling and accurate
shooting of firearms had been over
looked in our mad rush for money,
society and pleasure. This war is an
indirect blessing, as Ameriman man.
hood was rapidly drifting into a aa-
ton of indoor weaklings, unable to
respond 20 our country's eXigency
call. Eliminating the loss of life, the
sorrow of fathers, mothers, sisters,
wives, sweethearts and friends, this
war as a physical benefit from every
angle to our boys over there, is an
asset of inestimable value to our ma
ton as an entirety.
Our people had become familiar
with and expert in the use of the
ticker, pen or pencil, which availeth
but little when pitted against a bar
rage fire to be followed by machine
guns, gas or. cold steel.
That old vaudeville slogan, "I
didn't raise my boy to be soldier"
was the cause of much .misdirection
of fond mothers, who should have
encouraged their sons in becoming
proficient and expert with guns
Wishes of fathers, mothers or friends