FROM DAYS GONE BY April 26, 1918

April 26, 1918.
The Exchange Bank, the Bank of Wrightsville, the Citizens Bank of Kite, the Bank of Adrian and The Scott Banking Company have joined together to issue a statement concerning the promotion of war Savings Stamps and Liberty Bonds to help finance the war.
"In addition to forces at the front there remains 100,000,000 subjects of the United States vitally concerned in the outcome of the war---people on whose shoulders rests no less a responsibility than that bestowed on the fighting men. They should be the home guard, whose service is loyal and patriotic enough to see that America wins the fight.
This can be done by consolidated effort and no individual need feel a burden. The avenues of service are too broad for specific reference. The cost of war, however, usually attracts the minds of all. This cost, under our liberal form of government, must be borne by the people, the whole people. There is no other way.
Millions of individuals contribute to the needs of the government, in labor, in the sale of products, in skilled service, but which is paid for at a high scale of wages. This is commercialism, in which the United States is the employer and the people in the service on a paid basis. Even this class of service is commendable; its need is unending---it must be kept up until peace is made.
But, the service now most needed from the common people, and in which all can join, is the loan of money to the government at a fair rate of interest. This aid must be rendered by the people. The loan of money, in the purchase of Saving Stamps and Liberty Bonds, is the opportunity for all to contribute to the cause, with pay for the service, but a service not requiring time or labor.
The sale of an article to the government, or employment at a good salary, fixed by the government, within itself, is not that service characteristic of true American? Efforts towards the furtherance of national peace, without hope of material reward, is true service. As an example, when a Johnson County farmer sells cotton, corn, livestock, timber or any other product, even if to the government, he receives full value for the product of his labor. He is giving the government nothing. What our country needs now is financial aid, along with our time and our commercial service, of whatever nature. Our full harvests, sold at a high price, is neither a gift nor a loan to our country. The producers---the farmer---receive a substantial benefit. High prices come as a result of the demands of war; war produces high wages, and in millions of cases the laborer loans his money to our country. The farmers cannot do less. Johnson County has produced good crops which sold for high prices.
The United States needs money---billions of it. This is asked as a loan, with interest, and is the greatest and most liberal opportunity ever offered the American people. Your aid in the purchase of War Stamps and Liberty Bonds will help bring peace for all time and prosperity for years to come. Your children and grandchildren will be proud to remember and praise your efforts toward ridding the world of war and strife. A War Savings Stamp or Liberty Bond will help."