The Delta independent., 1918-07-05
"A RETROSPECT"
JULY 4th, 1917-JULY 4th, 1918
(By Percival E. Coombe)

(By Perciva E. Coombe)
Tempora muamtur ct mutamur in Ills which,
translated INTO the English that the old
things is changed and likewise changing with them
How strongly must this appeal TODAY as we
the first at all events within the of the gen
Grafton Just short year ago today were yet light
hearted easygoing nation, almost Indifferent the
come OF the and peculiarly the effect going
to have upon ourselves Individually and Country
large.
True were strictly speaking at war with GERMANY for
had not Congress declared just three months previous Like
wise had there not been Official Registration just thirty
before young manhood the nation between
the ages of 81 and 81?
But what was the effect produced by these few
legal prelminares upon the minds of the joyovng peopea
Did it in any interfere with their Fourth of July
ments Were there gloomy forebodng dapen their
joy and their spirit9 trow not meager per cent
of the people, possibly smaller proportion than that had by
that time realized the seriousness of the situation and had
gasped the enom of the undertaking ahead of them On
the other hand the overwhelmingly large of the people,
still snugy behind apahetc supneness
perfectly RESPONSIBILITIES upon
the shoulders OF and War Office officials from
President Wilson, down.
war be with long before could possibly seriously
mixed up in ? at least grounded hope with
Couldnt Great Britain and France and the of the
Allies humble the pride of the German lord ard bring him
suppan to his knees without further assistance from the
United States?''
Perhaps didn't think deep down in hearts, but
somehow secretly hoped that something like this might
happen Did not then almost shudder at the thought of
having to send the flower of manhood five thousand
miles away to face the modern deathdeang of
the most deadly and daboca conceived this side of the
Internal regions Nor did then think necessary have
Fourth of July festivities curtaed customary
modes of life inerfered with.
AS matter of fact, and it discredt to ourselves
year today hearts in the
But, mark since then wonderful and pronounced
change has the The souls the hearts, the
minds of the American people have been gradually but
peey aroused to the responsibilities resting upon
this Country in the prosecution of this Great World War To
the youth the nation has the Guiding
shining brightly the east and they following by the
thousands For months the recruiting offices of this
country have been taxed their capacity handle the crowds
o young each to volunteer his services be-
half of his Country the for the Cause Human
1ty, Justice and Right.
The citizens of the nation generally digging in
their pockets and giving lavish of their behalf
the Great Cause Rich and alike spontaneously
to the financial assistance OF the War loans
of previously unhear magnitude
scrbed Men, and children all parts of the country
have cheeruly invested their meager savings the purchase
of War Savings and Thrift Stamps War taxes undreamed
of year ago. have been paid with spontanety akin ol
pleasure.
Comparable only the National Army itself that
ased equipped and wonderfully trained the requirements
of modern warfare within the past twelve months is the great
of workers that has raised itself in midst
and marching victory under the humanitarian banner
of the National Red Cross Time and alone prevent
adequate tribute of to the magnificent that has
coupled with intensely patriotic zeal of the workers
of the One year ago knitting pastime nduged
largely by the aged nfirm Today the cckety click
of the knitting be heard alike in the apartments the
rich the parors of the poor itself demonstration of
undivided loyalty and united support of the Country the
crisis through which she passing The well and wounded
alike have been provided with .and comfortable
during the rgors the winter whilst seemingly
been consigned headquarters Washington d. c. for the
of hundreds of housande of American soldiers
later to be assembled at the seat Of war.
Verify have times changed last celebrated the
andtO n Of