Life, 1918-10-03 · page 2 of 34
Life — October 3, 1918 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **World War I propaganda advertisement**, not satire. The allegorical female figure represents "Public Opinion" or "Liberty," depicted in classical style with raised arm and crown. The text ("I Am Public Opinion!") is a direct appeal to readers' patriotic duty, declaring that citizens will be judged by their financial support for the war effort—specifically through purchasing U.S. government bonds in the Fourth Liberty Loan. Key message: Public opinion demands material sacrifice. The rhetoric warns against mere verbal patriotism, stating "don't talk patriotism over here unless your money is talking victory Over There" (meaning the European front). This reflects how American governments used shame and peer pressure to fund WWI. The Goodyear Tire company sponsored this space "for the Winning of the War."
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Contributed through Division of Advertising nes I Am Public Opinion! LL men fear me! I declare that Uncle Sam shall not go to his knees to beg you to buy his bonds. Thatis no position for a fighting man. But if you have the money to buy and do not buy, I will make this No Man’s Land for you! I will judge you not by an allegiance expressed in mere words. I will judge you not by your mad cheers as our boys march away to what- ever fate may have in store for them. I will judge you not by the warmth of the tears you shed over the lists cf the dead and the injured that come to us from time to time. I will judge you not by your uncovered head and solemn mien as our med in battle return to our shores for loving care. But, as wise as I am just, I will judge you by the material aid you give to the fighting men who are facing death that you may live and move and have your being in a world made safe. I warn you—don’t patriotism over here unless your money is talking victory Over There. Iam public opinion! As I judge, all men stand or fall! This space contributed for the Winning of the War by Tue Goopyear Tike & Rupper Company, Akron, O10