News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1917-10-24
farmers WILL BACK
The LIBERTY LOAN
Secretary houston Shows Why
They Will Do All in
Their Power.
He VIII Help Produce Food and
Aid Soldiers to Achieve
Victory.
BY D.. r. HOUSTON
Secretary Of Agriculture

1t is every citizens duty to pur-
chase a Liberty Bond If he is in a
position to do SO. Every patriot will
regard 1t IS privilege to participate
IN the Liberty Loan. He will thereby
contribute directly and effectively to
the successful prosecution OF the war
which Germany has forced upon us.
The nations task is a serious one.
1t intimately touches each of US. It
faces you and me. II we do not win
this war we must prepare ourselves
for grave changes in our institutions
and to lead a, different sort of life
from that which we had planned to
Eve-from that which our forefathers
died to give us the right to live. We
shall Indefinitely face Che Interference
OF the Prussian autocracy or bear
permanently the intolerable burdens
Of militarism.
TO win this war we must have both
men and money. I know that every
farmer wants to do all in his power
Tor the nation in. this day Of trial. He
VIII not only labor TO produce the
necessary foodstuffs but will also gen.
erously contribute Of his means to
make 1t 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 sup
porting the government in this crisis,
financially or otherwise.
We are at war with Germany be-
cause Germany made war upon US,
NIIr
and plotted against us while profess
sing friendship. We were patient
till ofenses became so fragrant and
insults so intolerable that it was
merely question whether we would
admit we were no longer a free ma
ton or accept the challenge of the
war-mad, hypocritical and medieval
Prussian militarists. There was one
choice we could not make-we, were
incapable Of making. We could not
choose the path of submission and
suffer the most sacred rights of our
nation and our people to be ignored
and violated"
We are defending our rights as
free nation. We are resolved that
there shall be an end OF brute force
in international affairs. What Ger
manys victory would mean to tho
world is plain. There would be no
right except might, no peace save at
the price Of huniHations too bitter to
be borne. Small nations could not
exist.
There would be no sanctfty to
pledge, no solemnity to a covenant.
With the dominance of Prussian mill
tarism, the Anglo Saxon struggle for
free institutions and liberty, persist
ing from Runnymede to Yorktown,
with its Magma Charta, its Bill of
Rights, and its Declaration OF Inde-
pendence, will have been in vain.
It is to prevent this, to defend our
rights, and to make possible an or
derby and just peace in the world
that we are at war.
The nation calls on its citizens for
high and noble service. On some it
calls for service in the field; on 9TH
ers for service at home; on all, it
calls for financial support. I am con-
fdent that the farmers of the nation
will eagerly respond to the call for
to the Liberty Loan.
In spite of the advance in wages
and the price OF everything he buys
that is, after allowing for the shrunk-
en- dollar the farmer has made good
money in the last two years, and has
a larger bank account than ever be-
fore. 1t has been estimated that his
is greater than the entire |,
Liberty Loan.
Now a new call comes to the Amer
lean farmer. It is the call to support |
his country with his money as well |
rs with his crops. To this call, he will |
respond as nobly as to the other.
The farmers boy has now Joined |
he colors, and the nation calls on his