Newspaper Article, DeSoto Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by: Peggy and Ron Nader
Source: Jan 19, 1918 - The Times
Letter to the Editor written by W. W. Hunt 

****
**********************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
**********************************************


*****************************************************


PEOPLE'S FORUM
Views of Times Readers

Life of Nation at Stake.

To the Editor of The Times

I have never been warlike in my disposition.  On the contrary, 
I have ever been a great lover of peace and harmony in the home, 
in the church, in the community, and in our country at large, but 
today the watchword is "War."  When I read of the cruelties --the 
atrocities--perpetrated by the Germans on the civilian population 
of Belgium and French territory occupied by them, it is almost 
enough to make the blood boil in one's veins and to arouse the war 
spirit in every man in our broad land.  This is not only a war in 
defense of democracy, but one in defense of Christian civilization 
and humanity itself.  Yes, I believe the very life of our nation is 
at stake, and I want to see if it becomes necessary, every available 
resource of our country utilized towards the prosecution of the war 
to a successful end, for Germany must be beaten, let the cost in men 
and money be what it may, for I can scarcely conceive of a greater 
calamity befalling our country than for her to be subjected to German 
domination, and neither do I wish to see a compromise peace made with 
Germany for if, there is, we will have to fighter her again in the 
future.  I want to see the kaiser's unhallowed ambition to dominate 
the world crushed.  Germany should be taught that might does not make 
right, and that other nations, however, small have rights that must 
be respected by her.

I pity the young man, without dependents or some legitimate excuse, 
with so little pride and ambition and patriotism as to be unwilling 
to serve his country in such a crisis.  I passed through the Civil 
War from start to finish.  When my state (Georgia) seceded and our 
Southland called for volunteers, I was among the first to offer my 
services in her defense and in defense of all for which she stood.  
I gave to that cause four of the best years of my life, and as an 
additional proof of my loyalty.   I carry eight scars on my body 
from bullets gotten in that struggle and I was at home on wounded 
furlough when General Lee surrendered, and today, had I the physical 
ability to endure the hardships incident to war, I would willingly 
offer my services to my country, and while it is true that I have 
passed the threescore an ten limit by a few years, yet I repudiate 
the charge that I am an old man.  I have plenty of red blood 
flowing in my veins today.  I can't jump as high nor run as fast as 
I could in Civil War time, nevertheless, having lived in the state 
50 years with out ever having had a spell of sickness, I am today, 
a man of splendid health and of unusual activity for one of my 
years, for all of which I thank God every day of my life.  But if the 
kaiser's ever land stops upon American soil, I am at Uncle Sam's 
command.

						W. W. Hunt