Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-04-20
Make It a Day OF Triumph,

TIE conflict between democracy and autoc-
racy has reached the crucial stage, where
the very life of civilization depends upon the
outcome. For nearly four years our brave
European allies have thrown every resource
OF power at their command. into the conflict
to stay the mighty tide of destruction that
threatens to engulf the world. In this ef-
tort they have withheld no sacrifice Of blood
and toll and treasure. They have reached
the climax of their strength and the menace
still grows. Help they must have, else they
Will be overwhelmed by superior force, and
the cause of human freedom will be lost.
The might OF ruthless miitarism will
triumph over right and liberty and Justice
VIII cease to be vital in human government.
America alone among the nations espous-
ing the cause of human freedom is in posi-
ton TO give the needed help and turn tho
tide OF the mighty conflict She alone has
the resources of men, material and money.
and she has but just entered the war Her
potential power is preponderant to decide the
issue, and decide it quickly. but as yet only
a fraction OF that power has been modified
to hurl against the enemy. The American
people have not yet become fully aroused to
the seriousness of the menace that confronts
tho world: hence their enthusiasm for the
common cause OF humanity has not reached
the point Of readiness TO sacrifice that the
crisis demands and must be forthcoming, If
American obligation is to be met and the
triumph of might right is to be realized.
With civilization thus facing the greatest
crisis in its history, the American people
still arc holding back in their support OF the
third Liberty loan. With two weeks of the
campaign gone by, less than half of tho loan
has been subscribed. Failure OF the loan
would be rcproach to the patriotism we
profess. 1t would be more than that-it
would be equiva lent to saying to the brave
soldiers We have already sent to the front
oil ,,NIl- 49,.
your lives. We will not back you up in
this fight. To this. add the disappointment
to our allies and the encoura cement it would
mean for the enemy.
President Wilson is gravely alarmed, and
in the effort to bestir 10 healthy action the
feeble pulse OF American purpose to put the
loan over the top he has issued a procla-
nation designating Friday, April &C. as
Liberty Day and requesting the people iiber-
ally 10 pledge anew their financial support
Of the government. Our brave sons he
says. ARE facing the fire OF battle in defense
Of the honor and rights of America and the
liberty OF nations. To sustain them and to
assist our gallant associates in the war a
generous and patriotic people have been
called upon to subscribe to the third Liberty
loan" Back of this proclamation, in the pa
triotic purpose that inspired it, there pos
sibly is the shadow of panied surprise at the
necessity which called it forth. To be forced
thus TO appeal to a nation of more than 1OO,-
ooo,ooo OF people TO consecrate a special day
to stimulating their patriotism to the point
where they will pledge anew their financial
support of the government in the greatest
crisis Of its history, is not just the heartening
kind OF feeling that the President has q right
TO expect of them a this time
Let us celebrate Liberty DAY. but absorb
the loan beforehand, and make the celebra-
ton one OF triumph.