The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-05-02
SOLDIERS REUNION.
Republican Aldermen Refuse TO Aid the
Boys in Blue.

We had always supposed the Soldiers
Re- Union would command the sympathy
and hearty support of our citizens regardless
of political bias or party action. An occa-
sion of this kind ought to call forth not only
liberal support pecuniarily, but the wsrmest
and kiudliest sentiments of friendly interest
and good will. The invitation to attend
has been widely given to ell concerned, and
there is reason 20 suppose il will be largely
responded to. Not only ID there expected
to be large concourse from abroad, but
thousands of citizens in our own county will
gladly avail themselves of an opportunity to
be present, to remind the brave men and
gallant heroes of the war, many OF whom,
among those who will be present were their
own husbands, fathers, sons and brothers,
that the generous and patriotic feelings
which prompted them to devote their lives
and often their all upon the altar of their
country IS still fresh in remembrance, and
the obligations owed for their noble and
generous sacrifices still held as sacred and
binding as in the days of imminent peril
and national danger. The preparations
making for this event are extensive, and on
a scale commensurate with the dignity OF
the occasion, and the good name, resources,
and commercial Importance of our city.
To meet the necessary expenses, and to fur
f nish an entertainment, and suitable vel
come to our honored guests, very consid-
cradle sum of money must be raised, sd-
ditional to such supplies tor the tables as
can be furnished ready for Csc, and for this
purpose q finance committee was appointed
in each township of the county and in this
city to solicit appropriations and subscrip-
tons of funds to defray these expenses.
These Re Unions among the Soldiers an
f Tor ought to oe) nothi ng uswl our citizens,
having long since assumed definite form
and organization, and held in
B several neighboring cities Of this state, at
which times large delegations from this
, county have been present as participants in
the festivities and the recipients of the boun-
ty and good cheer provided for their comfort
n ard enjoyment. Each of the cities honored
by being selected as the place of holding the
e Re-Union, have not only by individual
D enterprise, but in their corporate capacities
n raised funds to encourage and support them
a and such was the favor and unsnimity o.
4 public sentiment in their behalf that nc
I organized opposition, much less psrtizsu
p opposition, was ever raised to discourage o,
defeat assistance obtainable from any quar-
{. er. During the past year, upon similar
q occasion, though perhaps of greater
g magnitude, yet certainly IL
no way more deserving, the city
n of Des Moines, in Iowa, a city not materially
greater in resources or population thar
9 Rock Island, made the magnificent sppro
priation out of the city treasury of fv,
Is thousand dollars in aid of the Re Unioi
g held at that place. Under these circum
u stances, with these generous examples il
IT view, and the necessity of appealing to th'
d public for assistance, there WAS nothing IN
z reasonable or improper in asking of the cit
g of Rock Island il its corporate capacity 4
d assist, nothing presnmptious in the expects
it ton that the city would rospsnd favorably
d Much is due, and always will be to the So
d diers who defended our countrY's flag an
e honors how immeasUresbly much is due t
> the memory of the brave men, Of whom til
d monumen, in our Court House Square shout
IS be daily reminder; and how much, indeed
q to the widows and fatherless whose hearth
d were made desolate, by the death of ii
% poor soldier whose loss to them was irr,
d parable, and to whom the friendly grasp
? the hand and theklndly greeting of has CON
II rades asithey meet at the Re; Union is one {
J. the few cherished memories of happines
e amidst life of unremitting toll. Som,
5. thing is due to the good name and honor
g. our oi:y-some.hiDg for the privilege of hs
1t ing Soldiers Re- Union in our midst. Til
it honor is conferred upon, rather than b.
RS slowed by Us, and We are at the very lea
d bound by the ties of hospitality and cou
ID tesy to sford.a reputable and generous e,
ty tertsinment.
il We are happy to say the city su.horiti,
Id have heen nemoralized for aid, and ha,
~ responded they have appropriated sue
be amounts as they deemed emitsble and pr
o. per, having due regard to the state
their finances, and our only surprise, o,
ee only regret is that it should seem to ha,
IN been done over strict party vote against
q by the republican aldermen. There VIZ
nothing of party nature in the memoirs
T. nothing - the language Of the cOr
m'ttee indicating sny political pre-
N erences, and the committee itse
was composed in equal number of men b
u. longing to both parties. Everything hs
been done, and everything was done. on Il
part Of the Committee, to ignore all referenc
i'll to anything political, and to present Il
matter upon its own intrinsic merits, ar
ed without the least expectation that it woul
Fir be received and acted upon in any otht
in manner
be If the claims of the Republican part
heretofore, that they were par excellence Il
lr. Soldiers friend, could be taken as an
indication of the position which the Repu
he liean Aldermen of this city would take, II
No Committee very naturally might have O.
pected them, of ell others, to favor the
be application. The result shows, that whe
I'M money is wanted, when material assistant
rs. is applied for, they are no better friends
lis the soldier, no more ready ito 90 their DO
tom dollar" officially, than those whom the
party have always been SO ready to charp
with enmity, or sullen indifference.
ng Ordinarily We should pass over the actio
I'D of the city council without remarkinp at a,