The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-05-31
SOLDIERS OF DEMOCRACY

Again great throngs poured into the along which
returning soldiers sioor in the TO march We
cheered them alhe Blues and the Iowitzers they
most heartily Of all appauded with and hand the
Of the Eightieh division answered
called the colors whose achievements CLEAN with
passed brightness in the glorious history of the just
ending
We do not draw nvdious distinctions when we pay tribute
TO the OF the national army The others did their duty
they it. and that right nohy The regulars fighting
by first choice formed the efficient nucleus Of the
which we had put the field before the anstice signed
The national guard units who made military science of
avocation sometimes with rather the social
side of their organizations marched right out when the
opportunity
But the the national army were inherently different
They did not for fighting such They did not
to play military tactics with without club
and gorgeous parade uniforms They busy almost the
last with useful tasks essential to the welfare and growth
Of the nation. Theirs life giving not life taking
ton; their hearts building for this gem
erations.
The call Everything for which our citizens had
wrought through the years of national existence
only way stop the all the regular army
and all the national guard together could possibly make
cessfu against horles the modern Aa though
they ded to the last The woraday citizen peaceful
inclnaons heard The h1accall Of Dutyand answered!
&c answered by millions with voice. That moment
the voluntary discipline which made Of him soldier ad
mred of all tho world though every of the
nshed its share of brave in the momenous quadrennum
war The of eligible forward and registered
Ready Then they back their accustomed tasks
knowing that stroke of productive work would help
pede for they knew that the nation could handle
than It cond equip So they went to they called
already self prepared for the stern work ahead Of them
In camp they trained with but purpose-to learn to
kill Germans Not that they cared particularly about killing
anybody but because wanted with every ounce Of his
strength he earned 10 put end to war; and the only
open to destroy the makers
The results Of this mental attitude amazing to the
ablest authorities military training Within unbeievahv
short space, the civilians appeared like soliers-hev
WFRF. soldiers,
They and soldiers Of democracy highheared and
able to hold their in situations troubled at an
silly nnarrels precedence and miarisc uh dub Weld
ing with racionsness that shond have shamed the
11 ryyho 1nha
politician in uniform claimed Of way on show
occasions; going straight ahead in the big business
they had devoted themselves ucrn their keeping the
hearts Of all the people, honored surremey every man who
loves democracy cnved with sort Of by those
who had to stay behind
Soon the national army viii be scattered the four winds
The who fought together through the he'll and
Argonne will their several peaceful ways back the
neglected tasks Of building back the safe homes back the
waiting arms Of eager families
The national army sought not glory nor fame nor mill
ar prestige he sought first the pcrpetuaon of things
dear to his heart which had been hard bv oreathers
and To- all these other things have been added him in the
teen Of all men, today and forever.