The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-05-30

the IDEA Of rank Of properly pus no set q STATES
before cur fathers dared 70 trust government IN
the hands OF men simply MS men
The wise men OF Che old world from the very first
Foas yseTs ws az e1tres limit q tie te which
they allowed for the HE OF the American republic.
severe tests especialy IN changing from the articles
confederation the constitution, and in
dealing with the nuiliication neresies of South Car
oiin the republic still lived, object of dread to
despots the world and object OF hope to the
lovers of liberty everywhere.
But time came when the power OF a government
by the people to perpetuate existence TO
be subjected 70 the severest test that any govern
eleven states ressouced their allegiance TO the old
constitution and the old nag. set an independent
ana bars of the southern Confederacy.
How monarchists. aristocrats and enemies of
human liberty laughed. How they cheered the
Southern Confederucy in It's mad attemptto dismem-
Der the gloriout republic of the new worid! They
thought that Uncle Sam dead. and they were
terribly angry because he would not suffer himself to
be nailed in u CONN put In a grave watered
crocodile tears But In spite of the dolorous pre-
bodings of halfhearted PATRIOTS Uncle Sam insisted
on living and getting well. The Republic refused to
IL must be acknowledged that the situation suf
GENTLY alarming. The danger that threatened the
life OF the nntion OF such magnitude that it might
well appal the stoutest heart Where were the so-ca-
ed stroug governments of the world that could hope
successfully contend against rebellion of such
gigantic proportions that which reared its horrid
head in the southern half of our country.
But the loyal people OF the land had an abiding
faith in the right OF free government to live They
tremendous efforts, to acknowledge the utter fail
ure of government based upon the declaration
that in respect to the right Of lfe liberty, and the
pursuit OF happiness, all men are created equal III
the embattled farmers at Lexington, as Emerson ex
rebels who bombarded Fort Snmpter fred shot
that sent electric thrill throughout the Northern
state and nro dln n eompete "naSmy Of
nation to defend flag to the last extremity 1t led
to such an overwhelming manifestation OF union
sentiment that all opposition was for the time be-
when the nation, through its constitutional auth
critics. called for volunteers to defend the consttu
ton and maintain the Union it did not call in vain
The brave sons of the republic left their farms and
their shops their Offices and their stores, and rush
ed to the front Tin freedoms name for her to live.
for her to die Let it be kept in everlasting
saved. not by hireling soldierv. but by her own
brave and heroic sons native and adopted, coming
not by CONSUMPTION but of their free choice to
the rescHe.
Let us try TO estimate at its full value the rvice
which the soldiers of the Union rendered, not only
Consider what the world would have lost ir our gal
liant ship Of state had foundered in mid ocean. and
had gone down with all on board. Well does our
own poet Longfeltow say, apostrophizing the
''Thou, too sail on, o Ship of State!
Sail on, o Union, strong and great,
Humanity, with all its fears,
With all its hopes of future years.
Is hanging GREATNESS on thy fatei''
How emphatically true il, during our late
fearful struggle that humanity, with all its hopes
and fears was hanging GREATNESS on the fate OF the
Union, Had the effort to destroy it been success
full. the eanse of freedom and self-goyernment
would have received blow from which it would
have required ages for II to recover 1t would have
been plausiby argued by the advocates of monarchy
and aristocracy that the experiment of free gov
had been tried under the most favorable cireum-
stances possible. and that its ntter failure was
that mankind, taking them as they
run unfit TO take care of themselves. and must
be cared for by hereditary guardians The advocates
Of human liberty in every land would have been
to hang their heads in shame and confu
sion and confess that the realization of their hopes
for the enlargement of the sphere of human rights
must be indefinitely postponed.
The battle fought and won by our brave soldiers,
hen. not battle simply for the preservation OF
our own Union: it was battle for liberty and equal
tights the world over. The question to be decided,
Is ii Was most Concisely expressed by President
Lincoln, was, whether government must be too
weak To maintain IFS own existence, or too strong
or the liberties of the people,
The success of the Union arms, therefore, |
demonstration that free governmental goy-
'rnment resting on the idea OF human
.quality-is able to take OF itself: that such
despotisIn or monarchy. In other words a pyra-
mid stands more soiidly on its base than on its
pex.
1t is meet. therefore, that should in every pos
ible way do honor to the memory of the noble men
rho counted not their lives dear unto them, in
that liberty and equal rights might not perish
rom under the heavens Their spirit of self-sacri-
ice for the cause of humanity breathes forth a /
weeter door than the flowers with which we adorn
heir graves. Their heroic example is more lumin-
US and beautiful than the brghtest-hued creations
the floral world Bring. therefore, brightest how-
rs and stre9 upon those honored graves in which |
re sleeping till the resurrection morn the remains |
the brave and true who fell fighting for liberty.
1kens of the honor which their bravery and devo-
on to freedom have fairly earned.
THE ADDRESS
+ Rev. J. S. McCord was as follows:
When asked to address a few words to you on this
ccasion, was impressed with the inconsistency of
" position told the invitation committee that
as never soldier, during the civil conflict /
as but boy, too young to participate IN the war
the Rebellion The reply which they made my
express few words as representative of the
sing generation, showing the appreciation which
lch generation felt for those whose memories
e are here to-day to honor and bear in grateful
collection.
1t is in such character that appear to-day al
.ough feel how impossible it is to do the subject
Istce. The feeling which comes over
.ad the names on that monument is one that can
1t be expressed in words In stating this / think
voice the feelings of millions that make up the
ass which to-day represent. While these emo
reduce them may be enumerated.
The speaker then proceeded to show that as the
constituting the heroes and soldiers in the late
ar decreased in numbers, the feelings Of the re-
aiming members became more intense and tender
aweia upon tne patTlo d ana ram
e exquisite memories associated with the resting
ace of the dead. In conclusion the speaker said
at the lesson which becomes most prominent was
at the government whose existence had been per-
situated by such sacrifice and bloodshed. was worth
lough for as who still remain live for and If nee
sary, to die for that it might be saved
AT THE ISLAND.
At an early hour this afternoon the crowd
egan assembling on the island to witness
he decoration exercises there conducted.
Special train was run from Davenport,
nd large number reached that point by
he street cars.
The procession was formed on Lynde
rect Moline, and marched to Gen. Rod
Ian's Grave, where DIR. P. Gregg of this
ty made some feeling remarks At the
inclusion of the ceremony, the procession
roceeded to the cemetry, where the fol
wing order of exercises was carried out:
Music-Great Western Band.
Address-Prrsidenf of the Day.
Prayer-Rev. j. Fl. Rhea.
Vocal Music-Quartette.
Orition-Rev. A, K. Morgan.
Vocal Musc-Quartette.
Marrh-Great Western Band.