Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-10

contribute to a cause that appeals to
me-" will persist in demanding more
than the mere reply. For it goes tn
the very cruX of the situation present
ed by the governments appeal for the
purchase of Liberty Bonds by every
man and woman in America who has
or can get money with which to buy
them.
1t is because many Americans have
not awakened to the fact that the ma
ton is in war which affects every in
dividual citizen that it is necessary to
put forth extreme efforts to obtain SUBJ
scriptions. Senator Whitmore. after
his own experience in obtaining sub.
scriptions for the bonds, knows this as
much as anyone in Wapello county
But disposition to be tolerant OF the
views of those who disagree with him
moves him to refer, by inference, to
the Liberty Bond appeal 9s a cause
which properly may appeal to one
American citizen and may not appeal
to another.
Tolerance is a virtue, to he sure, but
it is one that can be overdone in this
particular instance. The purchase OF
Liberty Bonds is the duty of every per-
son In America if he is capable of rails.
ing the money to pay for them. even BY
sacrifice and self denial.
The man of means with n oney avail
able, which he refuses to invest in
these bonds, is derelict in his duty and
his patriotism. He is failing to meas
ure up to the standards set by those OF
his fellow citizens who lay down their
everyday tasks, pleasures and MODES
of living to offer their lives in defense
of the government under which they
have enjoyed the privileges and rights
of citizenship
It is not a question whether the IN
vestment appeals to them. 1t is not
question whether the cause appeals 10
them. 1t is a question merely OF their
financial ability and their patriotism.
II the cause for which the Liberty
Bonds are sold does not appeal TO
them, then they are indeed lacking IN
LOYALTY. For that cause is the cause
of their nation. On its success depends
their country,s welfare and the wellare
of civilization On the success or that
cause depends their own future-econ-
omic, political, financial. material.
The Courier does not share Senator
Whitmore's tolerance-admlraole az
that virtue may be-for the views OF
the man who disagrees with the SEND
tor as to the propriety OF the Liberty
Loan, the man to whom, as the senator
says, the cause does not appeal. IL Is
this man and his ostrich-"ke retusai
to face the crisis in which his nation
Is involved who is responsible for the
agitation for a tax. 1t is this man.
who could buy Liberty Bonds but re-
fuses to do it-who is forcing MS
neiehbor to carry his load OF respons'
ibility. loyalty, sacrifice and patriotism.
In order that these observations ma!
not be construed as criticism or the
senator's thoroughly logical and sens
ible argument, we repeat that our
views accord with those which ne ex'
presses as to the advisability and pro
priety Of the law that has been sus'
sested. II all the people of Iowa view
ed the Liberty Bond issue as does SEN
ator Whitmore there would nave peer.
no need for the strenuous campaign Vi
a few weeks ago in which Iowa failed
TO buy her quota of bonds. II all Iowa
viewed the issue as he does. there
would have been no occasion 10 sus'
gest the tax.