April 7, 1918 - Bedtime and more Liberty Loan

Throughout Mary's diary she deals with the "blues" and fatigue.  I assigned the main title to her diary as "And Then I Went to Bed" in large part as a tease to the fact that so many days end with an entry that mimics one or other variation of that phrase.  Today, perhaps somewhat self-deprecating as she is also inclined to be, Mary ends the day with: "Where would I ever spend my time if I didn't have my bed?"

Mary occasionally comments about current events, almost always war-related news.  But that is not surprising, considering the enormous amount of publicity and propaganda supporting the war effort.  Today, April 7, a Sunday and The Philadelphia Inquirer is the only local paper printed, the first page headlines document the huge crowds, ceremonies and parades in support of the Third Liberty Loan that kicked off on April 6. 
"HUGE DEMONSTRATION LAUNCHES LOAN DRIVE, RENEWS LIBERTY OATH
With Defiance to Germany and Promises to Fight Until End, Secretary of Treasure McAdoo Sounds Keynote for Vast Assemblage at Unveiling of Status Outside City Hall
Huge Crowd Electrified With Patriotic Fervor at Statue's Unveiling
Loan Is Defiance of Kaiser, M'Adoo Tells Vast Academy Crowd"

Also splashed across the top of the front page: " 'FORCE! FORCE!' PRESIDENT'S REPLY TO GERMANY, UNPARALLELED SPECTACLE STARTS LOAN CAMPAIGN"
followed by "WAR ENDLESS UNTIL RIGHT RULES WORLD, PRESIDENT'S ANSWER Executive Accepts Germany's Challenge in Ruthless War for World Domination and Declares All the Ideals America Has Won and Lives for Are at Stake and Must Triumph at Any Cost
Ready Now to Discuss Peace Offer Sincerely Proposed, But Only a Peace in Which Strong and Weak Shall Fare Alike, He Asserts at Big Demonstration Opening Liberty Loan Campaign in Baltimore"

Woodrow Wilson's successful second presidential campaign in 1916, the first Democrat elected to consecutive terms since Andrew Jackson in 1832, was in large part themed to appeal to the officially neutral United States.  Wilson was criticized by his opponent during the presidential campaign "for not taking the 'necessary preparations' to face the conflict in Europe, which only strengthened Wilson's image as the anti-war candidate....  The Democrats' re-election campaign slogan 'He Kept Us Out of War' painted Wilson as a peacemaker."  (The President Woodrow Wilson House)