THE EVE OF DEATH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1873, 5 September 1918, Page 4

THE EVE OF DEATH.

A REMARKABLE LETTER. WRITTEN BY AMERICAN SOLDIER. A few hours before he was killed in battle in France, Adrian Edwards, of Carrollton, 111., wrote Ids mother a letter remarkable for its calm courage and its dear faith. The letter was read into the records of the United Slates Congress. It .-aid: — “My dear Mother. —I am about to go into battle, and instructed the company clerk to send you this letter in case 1 became a casualty, hence the receipt of this letter by you will indicate that 1 am either with God or a prisoner in the bauds of the enemy. Since I will never become a prisoner of the Hun if I remain conscious and able to tight, it is doubtful if 1 ever will be an inmate of a German camp. “Do not grieve (hat I am among the missing, but rather rejoice that you have given a son in sacrifice to make the greatest military caste of all time lay down the sword—lo save civilisation, to prevent future wars, to punish the linns, who have disregarded every law of God and mankind, whose only God is (he God of War and military force —and to make the world safe for democracy. “I desire that you view the am tier in the light and spirit of the Spartan mothers of old, who, when (heir sons went forth to bat IJo for freedom and their native land, said to their sons; Either come home proudly hearing your shield before you, or upon it. “War was absolutely necessary on the part of my country, and although I was thirty-four years old, and nobody expected me to go, yet some one had lo go; someone must make the sacrifice, some mother must lose her son.

“In the light of those facts, and knowing my country’s great need, I volunteered, and have never for one moment regretted my decision, and I will not, although my life and a useful career must end. Life is not the highest boon of existence. There are ideals that are superhuman, interests greater than life itself, for which it is worth while lighting, suffering and dying. “If possible, after the war, 1 would like for my remains to be brought to America and interred at While Hall. 1 have provided well for your support, as I have a 10,090 dollar insurance policy with the Government and several thousand with (lie old line companies. My friends, Thompson and Jess, have those policies, and other valuable papers. “Good-live, mother, I will see you in the next world. You may know I died lighting, for you, my country, and all that life holds dear. —Your son,, “ADRIAN.”