The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1918-12-27
MAKING HOME COMMUNITY
SAFE FOR RETURNING ARMY

We nave seen notning JUL ike
the following soldier letter from
France in all the others that have
been published. but according TO the
generally accepted belief there are
lots OF returning soldiers who feel
just like the writer OF this epistle
feels about matters at home. Criu-
cal observers of the war OF wars
say that our boys over in France
have found themselves" He discoy.
iers purpose for himself In the
world 1T Is difficult 10 describe or
anaiyze the many influences which
have brought about this result
writes Mai Henry p. Dubois TO his
father, Jakes T. Dubois. of Hall
stead. Pa. lin part Ii may have been
the excitement of ii all. the ever.
changing scene the newness of NIL
| itary life. or the novelty of sight and
customs in a foreign land" But the
Major notes the following forces
standing out prcdominanfly in the
rapid formation of the American
boys character:
The man who stands face to
| face with the ultimate thing In
life through days and weeks OF
bitter struggle. not only with the
enemy. but with the elements as
well, comes away with some
thing he Is not going TO let eas-
lily slip from his grasp. The man
who sees his best friends killed
by his side. and talks TO them
while they are dying, finds
foothold on something more sol.
Id than the foundations supplied
him in the peace and comfort OF
20 xuts
teachings OF book or pulpit.
during the three weeks OF my
sojourn In the hospital ! have yet
TO hear a questionable story. and
even the profanity which has nj.
, ways been regarded as neces-
, sary accompaniment to army life
has been conspicuous by Its alb
sence. And yet this is far from a
gloomy place; as the men get
. stronger they enter into the COM
munity life OF the place and
! there is good cheer and fellow
: ship in abundance.
4 Tell the mothers and wives
and sweethearts 10 have no fear.
+ The men are coming home with
4 clear consciences and heads
hung high. They are not only
J. coming home as they left you.
Q but with n new and broader out.
look on life. fortified by an en-
l. nobling inner force which will
d support them through life.
But what OF the communities
e to which they returny win the
Il same temptations which before
p their departure. made them
Il weaken and wander from the
T. course OF manhood stili be there
n TO threaten the structure which
II has been 30 well built over here?
r VIII the haven Of safety TO
e which TO ask them TO return be
d found to be more dangerous than
Is the strange land a.n It's strange
lie people from which they retnrns
liz As officers In whose keeping
" has been placed the welfare of
|y these men while they are away
of from YOU. we have given this
nc subject much thought. and to be
frank with you. IL is cause for
much concern. Things are going
flne over here. There IN 20 dan.
he der OF let-dow@ or a reyersion
r. 10 former infractions while the
M campaign In on. II IL reasonably
)x sure that the millions OF men
u who are not killed or wounded in
battle Will descend the gang
plank OF the transports In home
ports better for their experience.
n II is then that the supreme test
~ of your helpfulness viii! come.
OF II II then that the bars of i'm.
IL morality and Righteousness may
- be lei down unconsciously in the
d. name OF innocent JOY at the re.
union OF loved ones. The orgies
ny which followed the return oI
the Army and Navy after the
- Spanish war come yiyldiy &c
| mind when this possibility IL
contemplated and we ASK you
for the sake OF those who will be
returned TO you In safety. pre-
y pare the home city. the town. OF
village. that IL may be worthy oi
the men for whose safety yot
now give your prayers.