The Wisconsin weekly blade. [volume] (Madison, Wis.) 1916-1925, 1919-05-03
YOU CANNOT LIVE ON YOUR UNIFORM


service Of the individual. The conversion of a
citizen into soldier never did and never will mean
less service or impaired usefulness. But, on the
contrary, it means that when the citizen shall have
served the purposes OF his enlistment, and has won
his right to lay of his uniform, that be will return
to civilian clothes more helpful and useful citizen.
Military training means more intense and per-
manent service 1t never contemplates less serv-
ice and idleness Just as our BOYS honorci the uni
form, whether in the cantonnent in France going
over the top or what not, they can honor their re-
turn to citizenship by putting oyeraIls and other
equipment for civic service and rendering whole
days work for an honest days pay. The soldier
who returns TO civil life and continues to wear his
uniform, after he has been separated from the
ice, instead OF clothing himself in overas or equip
ping himself for service above the class of manual
labor, not only dishonors the uniform that he has
worn, but proves nuisance and a liability upon the
community in which he exists So the Independ-
cnt bcgs to advise the boys when they return from
the field Of activity, to lay aside their uniforms.
seeking employment and prove as honorable cii-
zcns IN The community life where they live as they
did in uniform at The front in the environments or
elsewhere.
Boys, You can't live on your uniform. bur YOU
can live in overalls, Your training in the army
should prepare Won for more intense and useful
service Ifitdid not, then You are a failure. Even
the misfortune of war never contemplated that It
soldier when he shall have served his country best
and received an honorable discharge should walk
around IN idIcncss in uniform when there is plenty
20 do that he might do honorablv in oyeraIs If
YOU cannot find job suitable 10 your taste and am
btion do we'll whatever vour hands find to do. and
thereby lay the foundation for work along the lines
Of your aspirations and ambitions. You must first
learn 70 take Of small things that larger things
may come to You for care and keeping. You must
shoulder part of the responsibility in the com
munity where You live IN becoming producer of
wealth. producer of the ncce,sarir- of life instead
of a consumer. GU mus, work to be an asset in
stead Of liability. You want to lie regarded as
dutltul and useful and patriotic in overalls as
You were regarded patriot and soldier in uniform.
here Is place i'm the economy of American gov
eminent for idcrs and loafcrs There Is room a
plenty in tho economy Of our national welfare for
every who is willing 70 give an honest day :
work for a full DAYS pay. And the soldier bows,
they return from the war field had as we'll get it
IN their heads later that they must eb useful
as we'll as ornamental that the day of ornament is
over and the day Of usefulness is at hand You
can best show exploit your usefulness az a soldier
and your patriotism as citizen by describing your
uniform for pair Of oyerals as soon as You get out
Of the army. The government is not very much in
need Of soldiers now, il Is i'll need Of working men
Don't use your uniform 10 cover an idle and erin
lnal life The real soldier is Just as anxious to get
out of the uniform as he was to yet into it, He was
anxious 10 get ou of citizens clothes into uniform
because he believed his country needed his services.
And services to his country being ended he is an
Nious 10 get back into citizens garb- that he may
render his country another service.
These remarks are addressed particularly to the
Negro soldier Ho has been largely on trial, and
lhc must not let his conduct after discharge spell
lhat the uniform has DESTROYED his usefulness and
Industry Uniforms we're made for soldiers to
wear in action and contemplated action Actual
service being ended and indicated bv disch arge
from the army, il is the duty Of the soldier 70 don
civic clothes and get busy in some kind Of livelihood
for support You can't fool the officers long by
wearing uniforms and il will be the duty of the
officers Of the law to lock you up in uniform for i'd
ling and lettering Just as ii YOU were committing
the same otfensc against the peace Of the commun-
ty jnovoralls or other civic clothes So remember.
boys, that YOU cannot live on your uniform. Re
member also, that all sorts of deness is a disgrace
not only To the individual, but to the community in
which the idler and loitcrer exist. The man who
does lot work or make an honest effort to DO 50,
does not deserve to eat And the loafer in uniform
is Just as undesirable character In any community
Us a loofcr in overalls.
All sorts Of work Is honorable, il matters not
whether vou perform Il in overalls or in the pulpi;
or at the bar Y YOU perform your duties WELL your