The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-02-18

These reactions, by Walter r.
Agard, which appeared in THE New
Republic" are interesting from
number Of standpoints, as the reader
will himself discover. For one thing
they may stand as the reactions OF
class rather than as merely the re-
actions of an individual. The senti-
ments are strictly American; they
represent a slice of that newer Am
erica which was just becoming arti-
culate, in a comprehensive and grasp
able manner, at the outbreak OF the
war. But Mr.. Agard goes even furth-
er than the initial promise of the
present article, for he poises and
contemplates as well the effect Of
war and the grim processes of war
upon what is called collectively the
great American democracy. These,
then, are the rookie reactions:
so a psychological commission is
now engaged in measuring our men
tai aptitude and adaptability for
various types Of service in the ma
tional army. Who can guess what
incredible revelations may be brought
about by these vocational experts
We who have been paperhangers it
may be are better fitted by far for
the signal corps, and we former
professors Of Greek perhaps have
that unique intellectual equipment
which makes one well nigh invaluable
as a camp cook. All honor to this
attempt at efficiency and fairness in
military organization! Yet many Of
us have already been Analysing the
reaction of our own minds to this
extraordinary condition of living in
our camp, and, being chiefly New
England men, We are naturally and
additionally experts in introspec-
ton. So it may well appear that we
strike unusual depth in our refiec-
tons. AS for myself l cannot say
with certainty yet what branch Of
the service l am peculiarly fitted for,
but have a sneaking suspicion that
it is for the Red Cross rather than
the heavy field artillery.
Stoieism the Rule.
The prevailing attitude among the
men on the roll of honor of our new
army / am very sure is stoicism,
verging on fatalism. This war is a 1
sorry business; it's no joke being !
torn away from home long enjoy
ed, or infinitely worse, one just |
started; giving up a career in bust |
ness lately assured after long I'M |
certainty; leaving as memories only |
an SSbllSLlC tIEOSAs gay anu polBH&HL |
voyages in color and sound sensa.-
ton, with a hundred Turing seas
right at hand. These are things not |
lightly relinquished for the simple |
relief Of compulsion in even a worthy
single cause. So one must candidly |
say that the characteristic spirit of
the camp is not one of spontaneous
or gay abandon. Yes it
is a sorry business; but ii must ap-
parently be done, so, Of course, it is
to be done. Whatever is due to
come will be borne doubtless in the
same patient way. Mr.. Bourne calls
this acquiescence. So it is, but there
is no shame in that, to be sure; the
can be criticized only on
grounds Of infiexibility and lack of
humor, never for any lack Of high
and worthy seriousness. The trou-
bles are being packed away honestly
and courageously in the old kit bag.
however wan the smile may be.
What lightheartedness appears is of
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The subject will be The Church's
Work In Mexico, and the program
will be conducted by Mrs. F. w. Nc