The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1918-06-27

HCI many Has uScu dll HledIlS huOWIl
to her to kill the French spirit in
Alsace-Lorraine, but it is that spirit
which inspired the French at the
Marne, at Verdun and on a hundred
battle fields, it can't be killed. 1t
will not down. 1t is my belief that
Prussian militarism is an unhealthy
growth on the healthy skin of human
liberty and equal justice and must be
once and for all permanently remov-
ed, otherwise it will appear again and
again.
We have seen several assignments
of drafted men passing through our
city on the way to the various canton
ments, many of whom are now in
France, all having answered the coun-
try's call for its defenders to take
up arms. We have read the glorious
history that the regulars and the
drafted soldiers have made, and are
making in France, Flanders and Italy;
their deeds will survive as long as his
tory. Our guest, Walter c. Edgar, is
included in the present call for draft
ed men. He is leaving this evening,
and this is the occasion Of our as
sembling here this evening. Mr.. Ed
gar has worked for me eight years.
During that time he has shown him
self a thoroughly competent, capable
and faithful employe. have no doubt
but he will make an excellent soldier.
No soldier ever shouldered gun in a
holier cause, no soldier ever fought
for principles more sacred than he is
going to fight for. The same cause
and the same principles that prompted
General Petain, the defender Of Ver-
dun, to utter the immortal and now
historic words, "They shall not pass. "
We, too, have accepted and' endorsed
the words in their fullest sense. The
sword which we have drawn will not
be returned to it's scabbard until the
Prussian militarism is forever crush
ed; until democracy is safe, and until
Alsace-Lorraine is returned to her
mother, France, and then and only
then can the crepe placed on the
Strasburg statue in 1870 be removed.
In appreciation Of the services
which you have rendered me and the
high esteem in which hold you, Mr..
Edgar, l hand you draft for 5000, a
wrist watch and a soldiers kit, arti-
cles which you will find useful cover
there" Your sacrifice in this cause is
great; those who do not go do not
know what sacrifice is.
/ wish you Godspeed and the best of
luck.
While general invitation had been
extended to all of the 81 young men
leaving Ward county that night, to en-
joy the repast served by Mr.. Hoellln-
ger, but a few of them were able to
accept, owing to the, other entertain
ments which had previously been ar
ranged for them. o.
The following sat down at the ban
quet: John Hoellinger, the host, Wa
ter Edgar and his fiancee, Miss lnga
Kittelson; John Mabin of Minot and
J. l.. Pleasant of Douglas; all guests
of honor; Mr.. and Mrs. L. Rubbelke,
of Des Laos; Joe Boucher, Sam Bar
low, Alfred Hearion, of Cologne,
Mimi; M. E. Begley, Al Watkins, an
employe of Mr.. Hoellinger who goes
in the next draft; Chas. Fister, Lew
Haskins Of Deering; Miss Sena Han
son, Mr.. and Mrs. Perring,. Chas.
Whitesell and John Sebert, of Deer
ing; Henry Worobec and Andrew fys,,
tro, who go in the next draft; Mr.. and
Mrs. John Thies, w. M. Clark, Aug.
Shultz and Gilbert Osland, who regis
torod limo +