The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1919-03-07
Hold Your War Savings Stamps

When the United States Govern.
mnet authorized the issuance OF
Ihrlft Stamps and War Savings
Stamps, the purpose of this action
was to favor the people of the United
States, and it was indeed favor
such as the average citizen had never
had bestowed upon him. The grant
ing OF the right to purchase Thrift
Stamps and War Stamps in small
amounts at a splendid rate of inter-
est was a benefcent act upon the
part OF our government, and thou
sands upon thousands of our people
greeted the news with pleasure.
Another purpose, of course, in is
suing these Stamps was. 10 provide
our Government with funds to carry
on the war, and again the people of
the United States iappIauded the wis
dom of those who outlined and put
into operation this splendid plan.
More than billion dollars in these
Stamps We're sold, and thousands of
people were praised as patriots for
the unselfish manner in which they
encouraged the plan by buying War
Savings Stamps, and for the exercise
of good judgment in fortifying them
selves against the day of need by
purchasing these unexcelled securi-
ties, thus providing savings for them
selves which perhaps they would
have never dreamed of otherwise.
Butthe most amazing part of it all
is, that after the armistice was sign
ed, many of our patriotic people felt
that their obligation was ended. "The
war is over now," they said, land
we need the money" But when the
STAMPS were bought it was with at
least q silent understanding that the.
Government should have the use of
the money for at least five years, and
every individual pledged himself to
his nation that he would hold these
Stamps until the date of redemption.
The pledge was made in good faith,
and our Government accepted it in
good faith, and on the strength of
these pledges of it's patriotic people
to supply for this definite period of
time the needs of our Government,
great plans were made for the con-
duct Of the war and for the recon-
struction period. This obligation is
just as binding as it ever was, and
the need of money is just as great,
and our patriotism ought to be just
as lofty and sincere as it ever was.
We hear every day that there are
greater things to accomplish now
than ever before, and in this day and
age of great requirements these
things cannot be accomplished un.
less the Government is provided with
the necessary funds. Of course.the
ar einstances where there is real
needSfor the redemption Of War
SavlJEa Stamps; the purchaser has
ceIn s. roint where he cannot at-
ford to hold them longer, and finds
it necessary to surrender these
Stamps, just the same as he would
any other securities, but this cannot
apply to particular number Of we'll
and women, who are making appli-
cation daily for the redemption Of
War Savings Stamps which they hold.
II may be possible that those who
are asking TO have their Stamps re-
deemed hav, an opportunity 10 in
vest their money at what they think
to be higher rate of interest, and.
perhaps, think now of withdrawing
their support of the Government, in
their personal interest, a support
which they promised to give, they
propose to withdraw now, when the
Government needs it most. Of
course, when we thought we We're in
danger Of invasion and oppression at
the tyrant hands of Prussia, it was
easy to rush to the defense of oursel-
yes, but we are becoming too much
inclined to think that somebody else
can furnish the funds for advancing
the interests of our country, Our
Victorious Nation yours and mine.
What would we think of a friend
who, if he had loaned us thousand
dollars at four percent: interest,a ana
promised that the might keep it for
five years, were to come to us in
about ten days and say, 81 want my
money because can get a better rate
of interest by lending it to someone
else. - What kind of friend would
you consider him to be? Your best
proven friend is the United States
of America.
The case is parallel with the one
we have in mind now. What kind