If employers co-operate heartily and unselfishly with the tribunals
any unnecessary delay in registering for medical examination and
exemption will be avoided. The selective draft tests the patriotism
of all classes. An employer who denounces “shirkers” and yet seeks to
hold men who are not essential to his business is as deaf to the appeal
from the trenches as he who would evade the call to the colors. If men
of means and position, who by reason of age or other circumstances are
not subject to the draft, refuse to sacrifice convenience or profit for
flag and country, how can they ask other men to risk life itself? It is
not suggested that employers should practise intimidation or coercion,
but only that they should require their staffs to register and
discourage dubious petitions for relief. We may not regard sacrifice as
the exclusive duty and privilege of soldiers. Men may not live, write
and speak as though the war had no relation to themselves or as though
they knew no higher duty than to exploit the apprehensions, anxieties
and miseries inseparable from war for selfish, personal advantage.
There cannot be war without sacrifice for all elements and interests,
and he is the best patriot who bears inevitable losses and distresses
with fortitude and by word and example maintains the spirit and unity
of the Commonwealth.