The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1918-04-11
PLEADS FOR PREPAREDNESS
Speaker Holds That Military Drill Is
Both Protective to the Nation and
Beneficial to the Men Who Are :;
Privileged to Participate.

prosecution of the present war and ad-
vocating universal military training as
reasonable preparedness for other
conflicts, Judge E. B. Belden of Racine,
inspired new devotion to the cause
of Liberty and individual opportunity
in his stirring speech before the Con-
gregational Mems Club, meeting in the
church parlors ON Monday evening.
"This war will never end, Z" the Judge
predicted, "until ideals are settled
rightly and settled rightly for all time.
The task is tremendous, but it will be
accomplished when every citizen Of the
United States realizes that he is a
soldier of the Republic and that the
home-line must support the firing line
at the 'front.'
The judges introduction to his speech
was highly impressive. Describing the
sword which his grandfather had used
in the American Revolution, the uni
form his father had worn in the Civil
War, and the photograph of his two
sons now in the service of the Stars
and Stripes, he asserted that he was
enlisted by heredity and interest in the
cause Of Freedom and Democracy
and that ne was determined to do
everything that he could to help his
country "until we win. -
'FThe time has come" he declared
with great feeling, "when we must
defend the principles of the Declare
ton of Independence and to that
cause pledge our lives, our fortunes,
and our sacred honor"
Commenting on the word "fortune"
in this connection the speaker urged
large subscription to the Third Liberty
Loan on the ground that it would pro-
vide the "sinews Of war" Cor our fight
ing men in France. Here he read a
letter from an officer "out there who
admitted that American soldiers need
ed blankets and guns and who suggest
ed that a sack of bombs from the
front might be useful in eliminating
the slackers and loafers in the safety
zone back home.
eyes" he continued, "this has be-
come war to the finish, as even Presi-
dent Wilson has confessed, and at will
be finished by the belligerents who,have
the most loyal and united support from
their civilian populations"
In conclusion Judge Belden made a
convincing argument for universal
training. He urged the measure not
only as a method of preparedness for
future wars but also as wholesome
form of education that would continue
to do for American men what life in
the army cantonment has already done
for thousands of boys from Kenosha
and Racine-made them physically
stronger, mentally more alert, and
morally cleaner and clearer than they
have ever been before,
Preceding the address of the even
ing and following sumptuous dinner,
served under the direction of Fred Per-
kins, the club elected .oficers for the
Forthcoming year. Through the en-
ploymeht of strict Australian ballot
system the following officers were chos-
en- to direct the destinies Of the asso-
citation and assure it another era as en-
joyable and progressive as the cycle con-
GLIDING with Monday evening Is meeting:
President, H. E. Remer; vice presi-
dents, r. J. Austin, G. E. Dewey, DR..
j. S. Hastings, M. B. Ketcham, and A.
J. Kubec; secretary, A. w. Gillespie;
treasurer, w. Fl. Parry, Jr.