Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-06-11
Demand Augustans
Buy Bonds and Give
Soldiers for. the War

Forcible appeals to the citizens Of
Augusta to rally to the nations aid by
purchasing Of Liberty bonds, and
equally strong entreaties of the city's
physically mt young men to enlist for
military duty were made Saturday
evening at big mass meeting in
Market square, presided over by
Mayor Willis E. Swift. The speakers
were: Ex-Governor Frederick w.
Plaisted. Hon. John E. Nelson, Col.
Frank NJ. Hume of the Second Maine
Infantry, Capt Arthur Ashworth Of
the Machine Gun Company and Capt.
Roy L. Marston of Company E. A
concert by the Second Regiment band
preceded the meeting and was great
~ enjoyed.
Mayor Swift
In placing this bond, the govern
ment has not gone to the great bank
ers, but directly to the people; it is
the imperative duty of all to subscribe
as their circumstances will permit"
said Mayor Swift, in opening the meet
ing.
Hon. r. W. PIaistsd
Former Governor Plaisted was the
first speaker introduced. The guns
of Germany seem far distant, but in
reality they are very near to US and
coming nearer every day, he said.
The government of the United States
by an almost unanimous voice has de-
ternlined that this is our war; not
to increase our might or gain addi-
tional territory but that government
of the people. for the people and by
the people shall not perish from the
earth 1t is small sacrifice that is
asked of US in comparison to that
asked OF these splendid boys, who by
their conduct on the street. show that
they are of Names best manhood
The Ex-Governor said that the bond
| issue is better means of raising rev.
enue than a tax, as tax might prove
oppressive. 1t is the duty, he said, of
every family in Augusta to own a
Liberty bond. General applause greet
ed his words: Don't 60 around wear
ing an American flag in your lapel I'M
less you are the owner Of a Liberty
bond-that talks louder"
I'VE are paying the debt Of graft
| tude which We owe to those French
patriots of '76," said the speaker, after
referring to the part taken by France
in the establishing OF American lib
erty.
| 1T has been said by some philoso-
pher that the best friend the United
| States has is the Atlantic and the Pa
! cif1c oceans. but. my friends, the ocean
has been growing narrower until it is
no wider than stream. After the
French and English are crushed, how
long will 1t be before we are drawn
| from the German chariot wheels?"
Go into anyone Of these banks. lay
down your money, and say: II for one
am going to. trust Uncle Sam to the
| extent of $50" was Mr. Plaisted's clos
ing advice
John e. Nelson
"Three years ago, after many years
Of careful planning, Germany plunged
Europe into an awful premeditated and
unjustifiable war. We saw the gray
hordes Of Germany march through lit
tie Belgium and we saw the pigmy ma
ton rise up, a modern David and
smite the giant, until France was
ready and Paris could be saved" said
Hon. John Z. Nelson, narrating Ger
many's barbaric acts Of retaliation. her
subsequent atrocities against not non
belligerents on the seas. and her unciv-
ilized methods Of warfare. he said We
knew we had our duty to perform and
were not performing it. We saw what
peace loving nation is loath to see
that other countries were fighting our
battle-the battle Of democracy against
autocracy. Finally we realized our
duty. and entered this war, .singing
no song OF hate and seeking no indem-