The Marietta journal and courier., 1918-02-15
WAR SAVINGS NEWS
AND AN APPEAL
TO CITIZENS
Rome Burning; Nero Fid-
ding to Tune of Muir
der and Rapine.

That is the condition as it appears
to-day. We are ashamed of having
said last week that we had done
"well'. Of course that referred to
the activity of the local chairmen.
After thinking it over, that report of
sales for two months is simply cry
ing shame. Think of it Marietta and
the surrounding country backed the
country at war to the extent of 1864.
Enough to make the Kaiser laugh.
Powder Springs overtopping all other
proud towns of the county with $525.
| Shades Washington and Lee!
| Where is our vaunter patriotism?
Well, may we allow the flag to re-
main in tatters. True symbol of our
care for the flag beyond the sea.
Yes, our boys are gone, and more
are going. But have we gone with
them? What have we done any
way? Our quota for the Red Cross
work has only half given. And what
did we do in response to the call for
help of the Army Y. M. G. A.? No
report has yet been made to the pub
| lie. But when it is made we shall
find that not more than half of our
share has been given. We have the
honor of being one of five states that
failed.
But now our Government is asking
for no gift We are asked to help
ourselves save ourselves. We are
asked to help keep our country as the
Land of the free, and the home of
the brave" We are given an oppor
tunity to help preserve our nation,
and incidentally to save our souls
| from the canker of selfishness. We
are asked to loan to ourselves, to our
our government, at a good interest.
1t is to carry on the holiest war ever
fought The war Savings Certifi
cate is an honor certificate. And it
means that our hands have been
stretched across the sea, and that
our hearts go with them.
And what are we doing? What
merchants are urging their customers
to purchase the paper? What far
mers are taking stock in the Govern
ment business? What bankers are
teaching the people the necessity for
their cooperation with the Govern
ment at this time? Perhaps many;
if so, where are the fruits of the
effort? There is no lack of money.
The merchant tells you that his bust
ness is better than ever before. He
has not time to talk Thrift Samps
The farmer is more prosperous than
his widest imagination could ever
have pictured. The banks are over
flowing with surplus funds. These
funds are there to the credit of the
people; So there is an abundance of
money. Is it possible that prosperity
cauterizes the hearts of men and
shrivels up their souls? If so, God
help US and our nation. This is q
greater enemy to our peace than the
autocratic government of Germany.
What good our hearts desire, if lean
ness creeps into our souIs
The quota for this county is
1922, ,460; the quota for Marietta is
about $4,000. Men and women,
here is our opportunity to strike a
blow for libery and humanity-and
our skin is not touched. Oh think
of the mothers Of Europe in their
sorrow; There is no home untouched
by the murderer. Think of crucifed
Belgium. If the Lusitania did not
awaken us, shall the Tuscania leave
us still asleep? How fortunate Geor-
gia that her sons were all saved but
will 1T ever be so? Will it take the
blood of our own boys to stir our pa
triotism? Or shall we beg the Kaiser
to come to our shores with his death
dealing toys to move US to action?
America alone can save America
from this England and France have
done so Cor three years. And now
we must save ourselves. Each days
delay means more men to be slaugh-
tered. The quicker we go, the soon
er the end. Our Government needs
the money. She could take it; and
she will. if it does not come other
wise. Yes, there will be an income
tax higher; and there will be one the
$500 income, and on the daily wage.
And she will take more men, if we