Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1918-04-10
LETTER TO FATHER HOGAN.
Archbishop Keane Writes Him Re-
garding Third Liberty Loan.

The following is a letter received
by Rev. NJ. Hogan, of this city, from
Arch bishop James j. Keane, of Du-
buque. No doubt the public will APP
preciate reading it.
April 3, 1918.
Rev. dear Father:
You are aware that the Govern
ment is asking for another Loan of
/ three billion.
There is urgent uemand for an
ever-increasing abundance of all the
vital materials of war. Everything
that can add to the efficiency of our
! forces, and diminish the risk of life
of our soldiers, must be secured
with the least possible delay. Hence
the urgent need for the money TO
| be had by the new loan. Those who
are marshaling the cOuntry's resour-
ce5 and directing its activities III
this crisis, must have the acLIse u"-
| operation OF everyone whose posi-
ton makes for influence.
| need not insist that the priests
of Gods church have very solemn
duty in this hour. We know that
the civil power authority OF gov
eminent, is OF divine ordinance. 1t
/ is recognized and sanctioned in the
! Scriptures in the most solemn way.
| The church teaches that civil du-
! ties spring not from considerations
| of mere eXEediency or personal in
terests, but from justice and right,
! The devotedness of Catholics to their
country's intel eSts is not dependent
! upon sympathy or sentiment, but up
on a right mental attitude Degotten
of their faith. Though but a sixth
of the population, Catholics have fur
nished FULLY a third of the actual
forces of our country now marshall
ed for liberty and lasting peace.
/ The fires OF patriotism, which burn
in the breasts OF our heroic young
manhood, must not die down within
the homes they loved and left. They
must burn there still to cheer and
support and aid our brave soldiers.
We, who follow the boys we love
J in our anxious thoughts and earnest
prayers, must by cheerful sacrifice
aid them to achieve the victory and
secure the peace, for which they are
Offering their young lives.
But the Governments call for this
loan is not a demand for sacrifice,
though it may we'll serve as test of
loyalty. The Government asks its
citizens to loan tor the purpose OF
the war such amounts as can be
spared. The Gov. gives in return
security Bonds bearing A "A q inter
est. 1t is not a gift to the Govern
ment, but loan made by the Gov
eminent from its own citizens. There
are no possible investments at this
time so secure, and few safe invest
ments which bear higher rate of
interest. Everyone, who will pur-
chase proportionately to his means,
will not only render valuable SER
vice to the cause, and furnish an
earnest Of loyalty to our beloved
country but will promote his own
temporal interests.
AS an earnest of our absolute faith
in the worth of the Liberty Bonds
we will gladly accept them at par in
payment of the pledges given by the
faithful of the Diocese for College
endowment.
And we earnestly advise holders
of Liberty Bonds not to hear specu
lators, more shrewd than honest
who would exchange other securi
ties for them.
l direct that this letter be read al
the masses on Sunday, April 18th
and that each Pastor add words OF
his own to promote the success OF
the cause. Let each one account
himself drafted into the service fol
the sale of these bonds.
Sincerely, i'm Xto.,
JAMES J. KEANE,
Archbishop of Dubuque