Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-09-27
Friday. September q, 1918.
Flowers Out of Filth

When the war department began
70 get the men Of the country ready
for war, plans were laid without
much though. of the women, but a
stream Of women started to the can
comments with no provision made for
them. though many came from dis
tances too far away to return at
once The government needed the
womcn's help and the Y. W. G. A.
was found to be the only organiza-
ton equipped for the work Out Of
this grew the hostess house Of the
Y. w. c. A Of which there are now
81 with more being erected.
That is an outgrowth Of war It's
utility forced itself upon slow COM
prehension. It's field of usefulness will
never disappear.
II is an interesting study, once you
begin 10 take notice Of it. this watch
ing the beautiful outgrowths Of the
most colossal crime Of humanity
that is. II we figure the sting" Of
death and count the victory Of
multiple graves, what a crime.
IL We enter the game OF checking
or the good and the bad OF world
developments. as their merits appeal
10 us. we shall sharpen our own
sense cf right and wrong and Won
derfully develop our faculty for
analysis OF human events. Not a day
! asses that we do not see amazing
good come out of the war. Great
Dragons II evil that were sucking
our blood and Intelligence are, one
after another. thrown off as We be-
come aroused TO the need Of exertirg
all the powers that God has given
rs
Already has blown the trumpet Of
Gabriel, and we are awaking from
cur lethargy and useless indulgence
that breed only more Indulgence.
In no direction have we shown
much Of our sex bigotry. The weak
err snx is showing strength that on
Is the All Wise knew it possessed
Tie hostess house is but bud upon
tho mighty tree Of feminine useful
OF in,
ccsssos of world rehabilitation. Here
is another bud
Girls may become members Of the
Girls Patriotic League" by signing
tho following pledge:
4 pledge to express my patriot
BY doing better than ever before
whatever work | have to do.
by rendering whatever special
service | can at this time to my
country.
by living up to the highest stand
ard of character and honor and by
helping others TO do the same"
And here a small twig: Those anti
suffragists who oppose the political
recognition Of women on the ground
that they are constitutionally inca
pablo Of enduring the physical hard
ships involved in fighting for their
country would do well to read the
account Of life among the w. a. A
C's as told in The Letters of 'rhom
asina Atkins" CDoran). Here is a lit
tie picture OF the huts in winter:
MY sponge is a rock. my tooth
brush ditto. My fountain-pen was
frozen inside my suitcase. AS | stood
before my mirror to brush may hair,
sheet OF ice formed over it-just
my breath. We have had no drinking
water for two days. The streets are
n joke You see the snow settled be-
tween the cobbles. then the whole
surface froze. and the only way to
get along is to shuttle. and dodge the
cart ruts. The moon comes up bright
md hard every night. and just looks
cruel | am wearing every garment
possess-and If the kitchen range
were portable, we should probably
draw lots as to who should steal 1t
for a sort OF haversack. Bed is quite
cosy-army blankets are fine. I tuck
mine close round my face. and when
wake in the morning there is a
fringe Of icicles along the ridges
more frozen breath"
Join us in the game Of sucking
what comfort we may out Of deeds
and prospects that give us deepest
grief and cause our hearts to fail.
II is found in optimistic acceptance
OF the claim that. there is purpose in
everything, and whatever is. is
best" Let US recall how necessary to
the production Of the fairest and
sweetest flowers is the cultivation Of
soils ard filth that are obnoxious to
US. Let US count. each for himself.
the things that the war has made
possible. or Is making possible. out
OF which we may foresee great good.