But surely we will not do this now. I protest. I want the best, not only for my son, but for all the sons who are so valiantly offering themselves. I cannot stand back silent, with the memories I have of what war is, with the death and misery and wanton destruction of Flanders before me, with the scar of the iron heel of Germany on my heart. I protest.
The Plattsburg idea has borne abundant fruit. It has shown three things:—
1st. That individual training cannot be had in less than several months of field service.
2d. That organization cannot be had even in so short a time.
3d. That professional leadership is necessary as opposed to officers appointed from civil life at the outbreak of hostilities.
You who considered prayerfully the best doctor for your child when he was ill, are you going now to place his life in unskilled hands?
This morning I stopped at one of the recruiting stations and talked to the clear-eyed young soldier on duty.—They are a fine lot, this little regular army of ours. I like to talk to them. They look me in the eye. Do you remember teaching your little boys to face the world, head up?—This young soldier had been seven years in the army. He had one more year, and unless there was a war, he was going to quit then. He liked it, but he had done his bit. No, there were not many men applying. Yes, he guessed we should need all we could get.
Then he gave me this appeal to the young patriots of the country, flaming now with the fire of that highest emotion of all, love of country:—
“Men wanted under thirty-five years of age, for the United States Army. Special inducements to Pharmacists, Musicians, Bandsmen, Electricians, Clerks, Bakers, Cooks, Barbers, Teamsters, Carpenters, Blacksmiths, Horseshoers, and other Mechanics.”
God of our fathers! Not special inducements to Patriots, Men who love their country, Men who believe in liberty, Men who hate cruelty, Men who would avenge Belgium, Free Men, Fighting Men!