ILLINOIS STxVTE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 209> 



officer, and ever since the close of the war had been in the government em- 

 ploy, having charge of the great lakes survey, always in closest touch with?, 

 the people and the nation. He felt that he knew something of the nation: 

 and her needs. "A standing army for this country!" What does the 

 United States want of a standing army for anyway? Should we ever be- 

 invaded by a foreign foe, ever be obliged to advance upon any nation, she 

 has but to blow a bugle and sufficient soldiers would respond to put ta> 

 route any army in the world. He referred to the old soldiers — the men who 

 had done duty in camp and field. 



In the sunny days of April last, a bugle was blown; there was a call 

 for troops. The old soldiers heard, but they could not respond; their- 

 ears were dulled by the roar of battles past; their steps were halting front, 

 the forced marches that time had brought; their forms bowed with the- 

 weight of years. They heard, their hearts responded, but someone else 

 must go — and the some one else were their sons. They could do naught 

 else. Their baby ears had tingled at the tales of battles past; their cradle, 

 lullabys were "Brave Boys Were They," "Red, White and Blue," "Trainpv 

 Tramp, the Boys Are Marching," and a score of other battle songs that 

 they could never forget. Each father's son knew the history of the war 

 by heart. Their mothers were as brave women as were the Spartan 

 mothers. They served their country just as bravely and faithfully by 

 keeping the home as did their fathers in defending it. They also serve, 

 who only stand and wait, and the waiting is what takes the life, but these 

 sons responded and our country did have more soldiers offered than she; 

 could use. Battles were fought a:id victories won. 



The idea of a battle is the meeting of contending foes — charges ait*F 

 counter charges, advances and retreats, sounds of carnage, rattle of mus- 

 ketry, roar of cannon, death and destruction on every hand; but, my 

 friends, there is many a battle fought, battles that are always on, where 

 there is heard no word of command save the still small voice, no rattie of 

 musketry or roar of cannon, no soimd of drum, unless it be the beating of: 

 our hearts, which should always be stirred to their depths whenever there? 

 is a wrong to right, a foe to fight. Duty's call is not always heard in a? 

 bugle's blast. Sometimes its voice is so low as to be only heard by the 

 heart, but it is just as much a call to action as though it had been a clarion 

 peal, and we are only valient to a cause when we give of our best efforts, 

 without stint or measure. 



