Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-11-12

g.. Wright, pastor:
wlsn TO call your attention to the
sISurtn verse of the second chapter OF
oook OF Isaiah this morning, for
Iesi tnat the words contained
ael are especially fitting for this
yecasion. There we find, "They shall
Deet their swords into plow shares.
nc their spears into pruning hooks;
aation shall not life up sword against
nation' neither hall they learn war
my more" is not this a wonderful
ssa.ement. falling from the pro-
pnetic pen of Isaiah, Gods prophet
oI oid! IL tells US Of the time when
W snail rest in the harbor of Gods
UNIVERSAL peace, and shall know no
more the terrors of mighty struggles
between nations.
we are assembled today that we
may pay tribute to the memory OF
tnose brave lads who gave their all
70 tneir country in the hour when
sne most needed it, and willingly laid
tnelr lives upon the altar Of this
great nation, a sacrifice to the cause
OF democracy and liberty: also that
we may honor those brave men who
willingly offered their all, but were
spared making the supreme sacrifice
ana are with us today, helping 10 do
nonor to the memory Of their fallen
comrades.
when we pause to hold services
IKE TINS our mind is filled with
thoughts OF the victory won by the
men across the sea. with but a pass
ing thought-if even that much-of
the men Just as responsible for that
victory, though they never left
America. Those who fought in
france were given a gold stripe in
place on their coat sleeve for every
ak months Of service there: while
those who remained in the service on
TINS side were given a silver stripe
tor a like number of monIs under
the flag. Too often we fail to nav
the correct amount Of honor to those
VINO have only the silver to show
LOT their tenure of service.
IN this connection l loye to think
OF the poem by Edgar A. Guest:
When we've honored the heroes re-
turning from France
And we've mourned for the heroes
who fell,
When we've done all we can for the
homecoming man
Who stood to the shot and the
shell,
Let US all keep in mind those who
fingered behind
The thousands who fingered be-
hind
The thousands who waited to 20
The brave and the true, who did all
they could do,
Yet have only the silver to show.
They went from their homes at the
summons for men,
They drilled in the heat Of the sun,
They fell into line with a pluck that
was fine;
Each cheerfully shouldered a gun.
They were ready to die for Old Glory
On high,
They were eager to meet with the
foe;
They were just like the rest OF our
bravest and best,
Though they've only the silver TO
show.
Their bodies stayed here, but their
spirits were there;
And the boys who looked death IN
the face,
For the cause had no fsar-for they
knew, waiting here,
There were many to fill up each
place.
oh, the ships came and went, till the
battle was spent
And the tyrant went down with
the blow!
But he still might have reigned but
fer those who remained
And nave only the silver to show.
So here's to the soldiers who never
saw France, and
And here's to the boys unafraid!
Let us give them their due; they
were glorious, too,
And it isn't their fault that they
stayed.
They were eager TO share in the
sacrifice there;
Let them share in the peace that
we know.
For We know they were brave by the
service they gave.
Tho they've only the silver TO
show"
Not only here, but in every city AMI
hamlet, where lives true American
ism, in this great republic, similar
services are being held. Thus we
are but a part of a great spirit Of
Thanksgiving to God for the victory
that was won by the armies of the
allied nations against their foes;
and a great spirit Of honor and
homage TO those who made it posi-
ble,through their service and sacri-
flee, for the victory to be ours. Such
services as these mean so much for
the development and fostering Of pa
triotism, a thing necessary for the
growth Of our nation. Patriotism
and perpetuity of national life are
i~nseparable. Destroy the patriotism
of the individuals of a nation and
Won have struck a death blow 10 the
nation itself. There are individuals
and groups Of individuals in this
country who would be glad TO see the
patriotism of the nation die, for it
would mean the furtherance - their
" selfish purposes. They are just
n big a Stacker as the one who re-
fused to do his duty and his "bit"
during the time of the war. There is
treason still TO be put down. There
n treason of cowardly silence when
patriotism and duty call for US TO
cry out against the destructive sins
against our nation. The traitor in
the time of peace should be shot
down Just as surely as he was in the
time Of war. He should be shot with
the cannon ball Of public indignation
and e~xecration. He should be fired
out of office and out of citizenship
and hurried into everlasting oblivion.
The call today is for men viii are
courageou enough and have patriot
ism enough to rally around che True
Flag in these perilous times; Tor
men who will fire no blank cart
ridges, but who will pour hot shot
on every side; men who Will not deal
in feeble Regations, but In strong
rositiye statements and fire these
with the power of propelling convic-
t;orx. The age calls for the highest