Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-10-21
LIBERTY JOAN AND THE FARMER.
 BY SEC. HOUSTON
Federal Secretary of Agri- culture Makes Strong
 Plea for Country.

Washington, ,~0ct. 20.-Secretary of Agriculture Houston mas issued the following entitled "The Liberty Loan and the Farmer" which should be read by every farmer in the United , States:
 Ut is every citizens duty to pur
 chase 6 Liberty bond if he is in po- sltion to do so. Every patriot will re- gard 1t as privilege to participate in the Liberty loan. He will thereby con- tribute directly and effectively to the successful prosecution of the wal which Germany has forced upon us
 The Nations task is serious one. l 1t intimately touches each of us. It faces you and me. If we do not win this war, we must prepare ourselves for grave changes in OUT institutions and to lead a different sort of life from that which we had planned to llve-fron that which our forefathers died to give us the right to live. We shall indefinitely face the interfer- ence of the Prussian autocracy or bear permanently the intolerable burdens of militarism. To win this war we must have both men and money. l known that every farmer wants to do all in his power for the Nation in this day of trial. He will not only labor to produce the necessary foodstuffs but will also generously contribute of his means to make it possible for the men at the front to achieve victory. l am confident that the farmers of the land will not permit any other class to take the leadership in supporting the government in this crisis, financial ly or otherwise.
 "We are at war with Germany be- cause Germany made war upon us, sank our ships, killed our citizens, and plotted against us while protesting friendship. We were patient till of- lenses became so fragrant and insults so intolerable that it was merely a question whether we would admit that we were no longer free Nation or accept the challenge of the war mad, hypocritical and mediaeval Prussian militarists. There was one choice we could not make-we were incapable of making. We could not chose the path of submission and suf- fer the most sacred rights of our Ma ClOIi dIlG Ou1 PSopiC CO OC 4SIOA Oo eAASs violated'
 "We are defending our rights as a ! free Nation. We are resloved that there shall be an end of brute force in international affairs. What Ger mans victory would mean to the world lis plain. There would be no right ex- cept might, no peace save at the price of humiliations too bitter to be borne. Small nations could not exist. There would be no sanctity to a pledge, no solemnity to covenant. With the dominance of Prussian militarism, the Anglo-Saxon struggle for free insti. tutions and liberty, persisting from Runnymede to Yorktown, with it's Magma Charta, it's Bill of Rights, and it's declaration of independence, will have been in vain. It is to prevent this, to defend our rights, and to make possible an orderly and just peace in the world that we are at war. The Nation calls on it's citizens for high and noble service. On some it calls for service in the field; on others for service at home: on all, it calls for financial support. l am con- fident that the farmers of the Nation will eagerly respond to the call for subscriptions to the Liberty loan."