River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1921-10-20
Great Boost For
National Guard

The one hundred fifty or more men,
representing practically every busl-
ness and profession IN this CITY, who
attended the banquet in honor or Adj.
General Holway, at Forresteps hall
Friday evening, were treated to as
fine booster program as has ever
been given in this city.
After delicious banquet, prepared
by Mr.. and Mrs |. l. Eaton and serv-
ed under the direction of Mrs. Emile
Covers, splendid entertainment was
given, Professor w. H. Hunt officiat-
ing as POSTMASTER.
General Holway's presentation OF
the case of the Wisconsin National
Guard was indeed a masterpiece. The
protection which the Guard affords
is, without question, needed, and the
present system gives that protection
without the enormous expense OF
big standing army. The expense OF
the regular army averages $1,000 per
year per man; the Guard expense Is
about sos per year per man--and the
soldier is taken from Productive eD,-
ployment but two weeks in the year
as against the entire period of from
one to three years ar riore IN NE
regular army.
The effectiveness of the National
Guard was prGed conclusively IN the
World War. The a.i,d Division. Ne
tional Guard troops, stemmed the tide
of crack German regulars IN the prac-
tically conceded colques. of Paris.
These troops, thanked by French and
English, formed the peak OF q wedge
which was formed to make the
last stand to save Paris. The Ger
Al .a1- aud fl,a hat
tie restored the morale of the Allies
and showed Germany the hopeless
ness of her cause.
In peace time the National Guard
has shown it's effectiveness. A very
: recent case is that of the st. Paul
units at the scene Of the forest fires
in northern Minnesota.
General Holway pointed with pride
to the evidence which testifles to the
high morals of the National Guards
men, He has been connected with the
National Guard since 1881, when he
enlisted as a private. In his office
he has copies of letters from people
in territories occupied by Wisconsin
soldiers, and all bear tribute to the
gentlenanly department of these
troops--to their excellent character.
From Charleston, S. c., where Wis
consin Guardsmen were stationed for
some time during the Spanish-Ameri-
can war, letters are still being receiv-
ed in annual greeting from the offic-
ials of that city. The Wisconsin
troops had SPLENDID reputation
among the people along the Mexican
border. and his collection includes
many letters from the Tenth Train
ing Area in France, where Wisconsin
troops trained, and from COblenz.
Germany, where they We're stationed
after the armistice, commencing their
excellent department.
There were approximately 100000
men in the United States service IN
the World War; OF these 100000
were National Guardsmen. The
American casualties. totalled about
10000 men. forty per cent OF whom
were National Guardsmen.
All reports on the subject show that
it is the most economical manner in
which this country can maintain need
ed military protecticsl, and every nc
tivity in which the National Guard
has engaged has proved the splendid
efficiency of the organization. These
facts, and much more, were brought
out to the satisfaction of all present
in the quiet. forceful speech with
which General Holway concluded Fri
day evenings program. Everv man
in the audience felt deep inspiration,
a greater sense of patriotism, and a
better understanding and appreciation
of the National Guard.
General Holway, in turn, must have
gained reasslring impression of the
loyalty of River Falls towards the
organization which he heads. and it
must have been a source of great sat
isfaction to him to learn of the strong
support which this community gives
to its local unit.
This phase was strongly presented
in splendid speeches by Atty. F. M
White, Judge .sP Knowles, Presid-
ent J H. Ames. DR.. 7. w. Ashley
Geo. M. Stewart and Toastma +,r w
H. Hunt. All of these gentlemen
gave forceful arguments favoring the
Guard. and EMPHASIZED this coN,mun-
ity's support of that organization. 1t
is to be regretted that space prevents
complete review of each speech.
At intervals during the evening ex-
cellent music was furnished by the
male quartet and the orchestra.