The Republican journal., 1918-05-30
Waldo County Draftees Off
Mid Cheers and Salutes.

Vlku NAlCCIS 011k4 901uSNOs
The county's largest contingent, 6f
men, left on the morning train, May 29th
with the best of spirits and an immense
crowd in attendance to do them honor
| Every man reported and none of the alter
mates were used. In our issue of May
10th complete list of the draftees and
alternate with their residences, were
given. All reported to the Waldo County
Exemption Board Tuesday afternoon and
to man were willing to do what they
could for their country in it's time of need.
Dr. o. s. Vickery of the board announced
that Ralph A. Bramhall would be acting
Captain of the draftees on their way to
Camp Devens with the following acting
as Corporals: j. Earl Braley, Harold l..
Tibbetts, Marthon Doak, Victor l. Mer-
riam of Belfast, Folwell Moody and Ar
thur C. Hatch of Islesboro.
otherwise provided for, were entertained
at the Windsor Hotel. All were presented
with complimentary tickets for the mill
tary ball, given in their honor in the Opera
House under the auspices of Company F.
of the Third Maine.
Wednesday morning at o'clock all
again reported to the board at the Court
House where line of march was formed,
led by City Marshal Knowlton and police,
with the Belfast Band, E. S. Pitcher, di-
rector; Company F., Orrin j. Dickey,
Captain; Boy Scouts and Exemption
Board in attendance, on the way to the
depot.
After few fine selections by the Band,
Mayor Clement w. Wescott delivered the
following fine address which was fire.
quently emphasized with cheers and at it's
close responded to as requested:
| l am asked to say few words this
morning. Such talks are not duties that
l crave, neither am l asked to speak to
you because especially fitted for it, but
because happen at this time in way to
represent collectively the people of Bel
fast, and perhaps broadly speaking, all
of Waldo county on this occasion, Bel
fast being the shire town and entraining
point. 1t is time when no one may
shirk his duty and everyone must dis
charge without question the obligations
falling to him.
We are sending off this morning the
largest contingent yet, sixty-six of our
finest young men, not only finest from a
physical standard, but finest in ability
and general standing as well. do not
mean they are better than others who
have gone or those to follow. They are
a fair representation of all.
This country has reason to be proud
of the splendid intelligence and ability of
the men who 60 to defend it and will
have opportunity to feel even prouder Of
I the part which they will play in this
great conflict for the supremacy of De-
mocracy and the liberty of humanity
over autocracy and the imagined inter-
ests of few.
J What is this war; Why is it? 1t is a
struggle, on the one side, of domination,
suppression, barbarism7 conquest, and
world domain, as exemplified by the
teachings and acts of Germany, against
individual liberty, equal opportunity and
the uplift of humanity as exemplifed by
the principles of the United States. 1t is
struggle, in the words of our President,
'To make the world safe for Democracy, "
and in the words of another equally ap-
propos, 'sTo prove that Democracy is
safe," for if we are unwilling to fight for
Democracy and the preservation of our
| liberties, then Democracy is not safe.
1t would then have created deteriora-
ton of the right spirit in mankind, but
this is not the case. Democracy is safe,
and will be proven SO beyond doubt
We were driven from corner to corner
by honorable diplomacy on our part until
our backs were against the wall, where
nothing could be done but fight. Our
consciences are clear; our cause is just;
win we must. To have submitted would
have been to sacrifice our lives and those
of our children to humiliation and servi-
tude to Germany for all time to come.
To my mind, this war, now, before too
late, is the will of God to prevent such a
catastrophe.
And again, why are we here this morn
ing? Is it merely out of curiosity2 No. 1t
is to do honor and show our admiration,
love and respect for the sixty-six boys
now entraining. 1t is no time for sadness
or tears, rather time for smiles and
cheers, for we should feel grateful and
happy that we have such young men to
defend the country, its principles, its flag
and our homes. The Stars and Stripes
look dearer to us and mean more to us
than ever before. We should feel CRATE
full that we are citizens of the United
States thank God over and over again
that l was born an American citizen. 1t
is the greatest country in the world, a
country fully able with such splendid