Carthage courier. (Carthage, Tenn.) 1913-current, 1918-05-16
Hampton Roads. Va, April 2s.

Hampton Roads, Va, April 70
Carthage Courier:
All Carthagenians (as do not hesi-
tate to refer to readers of the Courier
as subjects of Carthagel know more
or less of the wars that were waged
between the ancient cities, Carthage
and Rome.
The last campaign was led by Han
nibal, Carthagenian chieftain and a
military genius. A great army of the
bravest and strongest of all Carthage
set out for Rome, via Spain and the
almost impregnable Alps, invading
Italy from the north. This brave
army fought gallantly-there heroism
cannot be excelled-but it is said they
were defeated while at the very gates
+ of Rome because they did not have
the support and cooperation of the
people at home. Political and COM
mercial disorder in Carthage caused
the people to lose sight of the inter-
est of the army in Italy. Thus a lack
| of food, ornaments, men and supplies
| of all kinds was soon suffered by the
brave men far away across the Medi-
terfanean. AS a result this great
/
THE very moment of victory.
Carthage of today is the center OF
as lovely and as luxurious land as
tCarthage of old. The Cumberland
Valley challenges comparison with the
fertility of the Nile. All Egypt never
contained hills that showed prosperity
as those of Smith County, nor valleys
so filed with plenty. Every heart of
Smith County is as brave as any Car
ithagenean that ever went forth to
battle and every man as strong. Now
we, too, have an army that is away
in foreign land, but let us profit by
the mistake of the ancient city.
/ do not thus refer to this mistake
because / feel there is lack of pa
.triotism and support on the part of
the people of Smith County. But be-
cause of the greatness of the under
taking, and we cannot think too seri-
ously. of the problem.
In this example of as brave and as
strong an army as ever met an enemy
on a battle field, suffered and defeat
ed just because the people at home
failed to do their part. Let US take
note and determine not to emulate
them in that mistake.
Having recently been home for a
few days, find most of the people
there waking up to the cause of the
war and all are anxious and willing
to do something to help win. There
is nothing more encouraging to those
in the service, and it really gave me
enthusiasm and hope.
! The burden is on you as well as US.
We would be weak without your sup
port. A weak force will fail; there
fore, you must ever keep in mind that
you have an important part that must
be performed. Your failure will mean
/ our defeat, and our triumph, your vic
tory.
As we cannot think too seriously
about our duties, we cannot think too
seriously about the part that America
is to play in this great conflict. The
cause of liberty, the cause of human
iity, the cause of Christianity, and the
cause of the world is at stake. 1t is
up to America to tilt the balance. We
can and we shall. We have the re-
sources and the ability. If we lack
anything it is determination. And
when every man in this country-in
service and at home-determine to
do his bit, nothing is more evident
that we shall win, and the fact is Sc
well settled that it will pay to win,
dare mention it.
We cannot flicker and slack anC
win / like the spirit of the Scotch.
man who returned from the front
: wounded unto death. He wished that
! he could live to return to duty, but
said that if he could help win the wal
by starving to death he would do so
That is the spirit that is going to wir
this war. So, mothers, do not sigh
s when your brave sons leave you, but
: give them up with a cheer, and, like
q the Roman mother, instruct them tt
come back with their shields or or
= them, meaning victory or death. Get
the spirit of the Scotchman and there
e will be no grumbling about eating
: cornbread. Those who have money @ol
q earning power will not hesitate t.
! buy a Liberty Loan Bond, but every
man in Smith County, in Tennessee
= and in the United States will do some
!, thing to help win the war.
o Then shall we who are in the serv
: ice falter in our duty? Shall we de
!. lay to strike the fatal blow that vii
) strip that proud empire of all it.
ipomp and greed? No! we would sal
and march to Berlin, though the sea:
|. rave with her perils and be filled will
submarines as numerous as the sand
rible as the dragons of Hades, shoulC
rise to check our course; and in ont
fierce conflict hurl the proud Emperor
purple gore wash his glittering CO
horts to the sea. Thus giving to tn,
world Peace and Liberty.
JESSE MARTIN NIXON, S
u. s. N, Hampton Roads, Va.