The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-09-17
An Address By Mayor Cleveland.

(From the New York Evening Post. August asth. }
In his speech at the laying of the cor
ner stone of the Young Mems Christian
Association Building at Buffalo on Sep
tember z, 1882 Grover Cleveland, the
Mayor of that city, said;
We this day bring into prominent
place an institution which, it seems to
me, cannot fail to impress itself upon our
future with the best results. Perhaps a
majority of our citizens have heard of the
Young Mems Christian Association, and
perchance the name has suggested, in an
indefinite way. certain efforts to do good
and to aid generally in the spread of re-
ligious teaching. venture to say, how
ever, that a comparatively small part of
our community have really known the
full extent of the work of this Associa-
ton and many have thought of it as an
institution well enough in its way a
proper enough outlet for superabun-
dance Of religious enthusiasm-doing, of
course, no harm and perhaps very little
good. Some have aided it by their con
tributions from sense of Christian duty,
but more have passed by on the other
side. We have been too much in the
habit OF regarding institutions of this
| kind of entirely disconnected from any
consideration of municipal growth or
prosperity, and have too often considered
splendid structures, active trade, increas-
ing commerce, and growing manufact>
urers as the only things worthy of our
care as public spirited citizens. A NOM
ent's reflection reminds us that this is
wrong. The citizen is a better business
man if he is Christian gentleman, and
surely BUSINESS is not the less prosperous
and successful if conducted on Christian
principles.
This is an extremely practical and per>
haps not very elevated veiw to take of
the purposes and benefits of the Young
Mems Christian Associated. But assert
that if it did no more than to impress
some religious principles upon the bust
ness of our city. it would be worthy of
generous support. And when we consid
er the difference, as q member of the
community, between the young, who,
under the influence of such an associa-
ton, has learned his duty to his fellows
and to the state, and that one who, sub,
ject to no moral restraint, yields to temp
tation, and thus becomes vicious and
criminal, the Importance of an institution
in our midst which leads our youth and
young men in the way of morality and
good citizens must be freely admitted
have thus only referred to this asso>
citation as in some manner connected with
4 our substantial prosperity. There is a
higher theme connected with this subject
which touches the welfare, temporal and
spiritual, of the objects of its care. Upon
this | will now dwell. | cannot, however.
pass ON without invoking the fullest
measure of honor and consideration due
to the self sacrificing and disinterested
efforts of the men, and women too, who
have labored amid trials and discourage,
ments to firmly plant this association in
our midst upon sure foundation. We
all hope and expect that our city has en-
tered upon a course of unprecedented
prosperity and growth. But to my mind
not all the signs about us point more
surely TO real greatness than the event
which We here celebrate Good and pure
government lies at the foundation of the
wealth and progress of every community
As the chief executive of this proud
city, | congratulate all my fellow citizens
that today we lay the foundation stone
of an edifice which shall be a beautiful
adoment, and what is more important,
shall enclose within its walls such earnest
Christian endeavors as must make easiel
all our efforts TO administer safely and
honestly good municipal government