Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-04-16
ARETURN TO CITIZENSHIP

The American nation sent certain Of its sons abroad
to fight its battles and the battles Of the world. Those
men were civilians, taken from every walk Of life. There
were more men Of one class or occupation than another
Ia the army simply because there happened to be more
people Of that class or occupation in the country. 1t
would be difficult to tell what group was represented in
the army by the greatest percentage of it's members. The
major activities Of the war are over, and within a short
time we shall have formal peace. Our, soldiers will all
be returned to this country. Hundreds Of thousands of
them have already returned, and other legions are on
the way. To what do they return?
In the return Of our soldiers a problem is presented
to the nation. What shall we do with the returned SOL
der! -Four million men cannot be taken out of such a
population as ours, Withdrawn suddenly from their ac-
customed activities, and as suddenly brought back to the
communities from which they were taken Without the
Influence Of these transfers disturbing the social and eco
homie structure of the nation to its very foundations.
We speak of the return of the soldier to his home, and
his family. and his friends. and his job. Let US not for
sst that the one thing above all others to which it is i'm
portant that the soldier shall return is his citizenship.
Pre-enninently the soldier has been performing his
duty as 4 citizen while he was abroad, or, denied the OPP
portunity to serve abroad, while he was undergoing at
home the necessary preparation for active service wher-
ever he might be needed. But those duties were per-
formed In . peculiar time and under abnormal condi-
lions. With the return of conditions to the norman the
soldier dons his military character. In the memory OF
tho great conflict he will never cease to be a soldier.
There will remain with him to the end Of his days the
impress Of the experiences of these years. and the in
spiration> and exaltation Of his service will be an ever
present influence in his life.
But in all that relates to the material side of life
tho returned soldier will divest himself Of his military
character. His weapons will be laid aside: his uniform
will be exchanged for the sober garb of civil life; and for
the drill and discipline Of the camp and the fury of bat
tie he will substitute the life of the civilian, to be dis
tinguished in no way from his fellows.
Our soldiers were of many races, creeds and occupa-
lions. The differences among them which were due to
the accident Of birth, or training. or temperament, re-
nained with them. They retained their individuality
In all respects. It was expected Of them only that they
should be united in their loyalty to the cause in which
they were enlisted, and most nobly did they realize that
expectation. They return, as they went, separate indi-
viduals, Independent human beings, each with his own
point of view, his own vision Of life. his own concep-
ton OF the most useful policies to be followed. They
Will fe-enter the daily life of the nation with individuality
Intact, with independence unbroken, and, as we have
every reason to expect, with their single, simple citizen
chip made stronger and more ardent.