The people of North Carolina have been called upon by the Federal government to invest Twenty Seven Million Dollars in Liberty Bonds, this being the State’s proportion of the second Three Billion Dollar issue. If our people fail to purchase these bonds promptly it will mean that North Carolina is not doing her part to help win this war - that she is either wilfully or carelessly failing to carry her share of the burden the war imposes upon the various states. My faith in their patriotism and loyalty refuses to permit me to entertain for one moment any doubt of the willingness of our citizens to rise to this emergency if the matter is properly presented to them.

However, it is no small task to sell $27,000,000 worth of government bonds, and if the State’s proportion is to be taken care of, every citizen must do his part. It is neither right to expect, nor safe to permit the few to buy all of these bonds.

I therefore earnestly request you, as a member of the State Board of Agriculture, to bring this matter to the attention of the farmers of North Carolina, and use all your influence to the end that every one of them buy at least one Liberty Bond. The percentage of increase in the price of the farmer’s products as a result of this war is greater perhaps than that of any other class of our citizens. The average farmer is in better position today than ever before to make a safe and profitable investment, such as this.

Moreover, it is the farmer’s patriotic duty to buy a bond. I know of no better way by which he can serve his country in this crisis. If we are to fight this war to a successful finish these bonds must be sold. In the prosecution of this war money is just as necessary as men and munitions.

The offer of these bonds gives the farmer a magnificent opportunity to take stock in his government. If he is wise he will be eager to grasp this opportunity, for by so doing he will help to insure for himself and his children a continuation of government of the people, by the people and for the people.

Please do all in you power to bring these facts home to the farmers of North Carolina. Let them know that the bond buyer receives as well as gives. He not only comes to the aid of the government, but he also makes a good interest bearing investment. The bond he receives is the safest security in the world, because the promise to pay is backed by the faith and honor of the United States, the richest Nation in the world. The government of the United States has never failed to pay its bonds when due, and never will fail. The great corporations and rich individuals, seeing the advantage of so good an investment and responding to the patriotic impulse, are investing billions in war bonds.

Will the farmers of North Carolina be less patriotic? Will they let this opportunity to serve and to save pass by unheeded?

I have called upon the farmers to observe Thrift Month, and I know of no better way for them to do so than by purchasing Liberty Bonds. I want, therefore, again to urge you to cooperate heartily and effectively with the State Liberty Loan Committee to the end that every farmer that is able to do so buys at least one $50.00 Liberty Bond.