The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-06-10
The Question of Volunteering

The Question of Volunteering
The appended communication to the Palla-
dunn, signed J. G., presents conclusions that will
not receive the approval of every patriot neither
do they agree entirely with the best thought of
our leaders in Washington, for the present select
i've system was adopted because it was admitted
that the volunteer system was archaic and in
efficient in the present crisis. -
j. G., who did not sign his full name, writes
wait till the West gets into it," is expression we
often hear 1t is used in connection with political elect
ions reform movements and various other activities
The implication is that the West is slow moving When.
however the West does "get into it, things usually hap
Isn't it about time for the West to get into the
War? No matter how we'll have held up end in
kinds OF patriotic duty there phase to which
westerners have not awakened.
In the East it is considered, in many cases. dis
grace for young qualified for military service not
to volunteer AT banquet given by SMALL exclusive
club in Philadelphia night last the toast
master requested stand that had enlisted
would do within ten days. OF the twenty young
present. seventeen arose OF the three seated two
had tried to enlist but physically deficient The
third said he was going to wait for the draft and
something would occur in the meantime that he would
not have to Silence followed the remark until some
muttered Stacker" Not being really a coward the
young fellow grinned and stood up with Public
opinion had been too much for him.
Here in Richmond few weeks ago when a squad
of draftees were leaving young heard to re-
mark Poor boobs! Going to be shot at by the
Dutch. I'm glad I'm not of them yet" Not only is
this the attitude Of boys west
ern parents than eastern doing everything they
can to keep their out of the army In many
sackers views meeting with open sympathy in the
West There is strong definite public opinion against
them.
The other day at the "Y" a young fellow said, "Be-
lieve me I'm not going to be fool enough to
meet this thing by enlisng but I'm going dodge
the draft when comes" This typical western
ttude just now They not going to do anything vol
unfairly to whip the Hun They going wait till
someone forces them into action then they will put up
good anyone. They don't want give up the
comforts of peace until they forced to do
This is entirely the wrong attitude. whip Ger
many it will be because individual will drop his
petty personal interests and willingly his whole
energy into the This will sacrifice great
sacrifice. Especially will it the breaking up of
homes If, however this is righteous with the
true civilization of it's goal why should not
give our lives and the lives Of children for this
ideal? How patry personal interests even
our lives when such is stake! time for
the West to awaken and urge it's to volun-
tarily offer their services Let public opinion be so
strong that any qualified for military will
not dare to do anything but volunteer. weserners
get this spirit aroused within it is being aroused
in the East, victory is assured. G.
The question of volunteering or of waiting
until the government calls you involves the prin-
ciple Of motive. A man who waits until he is
selected by the government because he con-
sclentiously believes this is his duty is Just as
much patriot as the man who volunteers his
service. Both he and the volunteer are.actuated
by patriotic impulses, and it is manifestly un-
fair and unjust to call him Stacker.
Again, man of draft age may volunteer be-
cause he is seeking place that will keep him far
from shot and she'll His motive is not patriotic
but exceedingly selfish. The selected man has no
choice of service He goes wherever his coun
try wants him to go. Between these two, the Sc
lected man is the best patriot. Of course, this
does not say that every volunteer is bullet
dodger, for in the majority of cases he wants to
serve. The illustration, however, shows how
unfair it is to generaze by insinuating as J. G..
does that the man who waits for his call is a
Stacker
We believe that infinite damage will be done
by the dissemination of views such as J. G. holds
Our government has put the stamp of patriotic
approval upon the selective service system. It
has elected this system of raising it's soldiers.
There is enough glory in this war to go around
for both volunteers and selects and an effort To
create unrest and dissatisfaction by differentiat
ing between them is charged with untold posi-
bties for damage to the American morale.
). G's implication that the East is far ahead
OF the West in the way of volunteer enlistnents
is far from being true The West has lad
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