The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1918-04-19
BIG CROWD ATTENDS THE PATRI-
OTTO RALLY.

OTTO RALLY.
Jackie Band Strong Feature at Sun
days Gathering.
Edgerton has never before witnessed
more enthusiastic gathering than the
big meeting held here Sunday after
noon to set in motion the Third Liberty
Loan drive. With only short notice
to get the news into the country that
the famous Jackie band from the Great
Lakes Naval Training Station accom-
panied by prominent speakers would
visit our city Sunday afternoon, the
response came, however, with an out
pouring from the rural community that
helped swell one of the largest crowds
ever gathered here. An improvised
stand was erected on the bank corner
for an open-air concert given by the
band and remarkably fine program
was rendered. While the concert was
in progress hats were passed among
the crowd and $110 was secured as a
tobacco fund for the Jackies, which the
bows saw wss the first benefit collection
received since they have been playing
over the country.
Two meetings followed, one at Royal
hall and the other at the Lyric theater,
both addressed by Daniel Grady of Por-
tage and Thomas Kearney of Racine.
Both houses were packed to capacity.
Mayor Leary presided at Royal hall.
Hon. L. C. Whittet gave short sketch
of what Wisconsin had accomplished in
equipping and financing its quota as
we'll as in all war activities.
Daniel Grady, better known as the
''silver tongued orator." after being
introduced by Atty. George Blanchard,
first addressed the audience on behalf
of the loan drive, He stated that this
country was on. the threshold of new
era and that the loyalty of this state,
as we'll as all other states of the Union,
shall be subjected to close scrutiny
until the war is over. He stated that
the degree of generosity of the citizens
of this state shall be measured by the
way they back the government in these
stirring times. He spoke of how it is
the first time in the history of the
world that our soldiers have been on
foreign soil fighting for American ideals.
Mr.. Grady's highly polished address
was followed by Hon. Thos. Kearney,
who is, without question, one of the
most convincing speakers in the state.
In opening Mr.. Kearney paid fitting
tribute to the boys of the country who
had left their homes to join the army
and navy of the United States. He
told of how upon joining they had not
been promised anything by the govern
ment. They might live through the
war and they might die on foreign soil.
That, he stated, was the best promise
the government could give the men.
He explained how it was not a patri-
otto duty to buy bonds and loan money
to the government. He stated that it
was patriotic to enlist and fight for
your country, but that it was just an
everyday duty for a man to loan money
to the government in time Of war. He
stated that during the present cam
paign it was necessary for the people
to scrape and scrape harder in order to
purchase bonds. He then spoke to the
people who are little reluctant in
purchasing bonds and asked them if
they would rather loan the government
their money at II per cent or would
rather have Kaiser Bill come over and
take it away from them and then fog
them for not having enough. Mr..
Kearney urged the people to show
profound interest in the present cam
paign and to subscribe literally and
help this country in this hour of peril.
He urged the young people of the city
to make every effort possible in the
loan campaign. He stated that even
the children could help and that they
should help as much as possible. He
paid tribute to the mothers of this
country and stated that the mothers
who had given their sons to the army
and navy of this country had done their
share.
Both speakers in their turn spoke be-
fore large audience at the Lyric thea
ter. where Atty. Paul N. Grub pre-
sided. The meeting has stirred the
patriotism of Edgerton and the work
of securing funds for all war activities
will come much easier hereafter in con-
sequence of the deep impression made.