Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 60, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 October 1917 — DO WITHOUT-AND DO [ARTICLE]

DO WITHOUT-AND DO

By WILBUR D. NESBIT.

A great many- millions of people in other lands have been thinking about us for the past three years. They have thought that we were a spineless nation, that we could be slapped in the face and kicked for good measure. They have thought that we were so •aiTiHd of trotiblVthat we would st-a-wi-for anything rather than tackle it if it came our way. Today they are changing their minds, We are giving the world a demonstration of what,,tile underlying principles of this country are. We are showing the world that wo have never had the slightest Idea of spelling “American” with any other than a capital A. Doing this costs money. It is easy enough to wave a flag and cheer the soldiers; it Is easy enough to orate patriotic things and praise the names of Washington and Lincoln. But the acid test of war is sifting citizenship. It is making us realize that we cannot have national strength without something to back it up. That’S why the second Liberty loan Is announced, We might as well get used to supporting Liberty loans. You can’t “do your bit” by wearing a button for one bond. We’ve got to pay for that Americanism of which we have been so- proud, if we expect to keep on being proud of it. It means sacrifices. It means each of us has got to do the biggest things he can do for his country.

If a million, or two million, men can stand behind its and the hell that was made of Belgium and northern France then we can stand back of those men and pay for the guns and Ammunition and clothing and food they have to have. Suppose you did buy one Libert\ bond. Suppose you bought a thousand dollars’ worth, or a hundred thousand dollars’ worth. Buy another. Double your Investment. Can’t afford it? We have to afford it—this tinrn, and the next, and the next, and every time until the war is won. We’ll have to do without something, if that is the only way we can do something for our country. If you have to do without a dress, or an overcoat, to buy a Liberty bond do without. You’d rather have peaces and a bond paying you 4 per cent, than a dress or on overcoat, and war costing you your home, and your sons, and your brothers. wouldn’t you? If we can’t put (his second Liberty loan over except by doing without something then let’s do without. For, if we can’t make a loan to Liberty, then one of these days we will see Liberty in pawn.