The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-07-06

themselves to be sovereign. To that con-
tinental congress, Mr.. Hurst said: Let
future statesmen look and learn what |
it is to be patriot; casting aside
all selfish interests with no petty ins
trigues for power, with no despicable
faction seeking petty honors, they pledged
their lives, their fortunes and their sacred |
honor in support of the principles which |
they had asserted" After dwelling briefs
yupon the revolution, he said: land when
our forefathers launched their frail bark
of republic upon the worlds sea, there
was little in the worlds history to lead
the most sanguine friend of the new gov
ernment to feel confident of its success.
MIR. Hurst then compared the republics of
today with those of ancient times, stat
ing that belief and confidence in Divine
Providence had always been the guide to
a safe port. He mentioned as an example
of this Patrick Henrys famous remarks
when pressed upon the apparent Unequal
ity of the war for liberty True, true,
but there is a God above who rules and
overrules the destinies of nations.
The line of our happiness and
prosperity" said the speaker, may be
traced with exactness, and yet there may
be difficulty in pursuing it. Let us not
forget that luxury and political corrup-
ton proved the ruin of the empires of the
east and let these sacred maxims relieve
the deepest impressions upon your minds
that if avarice, if extortion, if luxury and
political corruption are suffered to bes
come popular among us, civil discord
and the ruin of our country will be the
speedy consequence of such fated vices;
but while patriotism is the leading prin>
ciple and our laws are contrived with
wisdom and executed with rigor, while
industry, frugality and temperance are
held in estimation, and we depend upon
public spirit and the love of virtue for
our social happiness, peace and affiuence
will throw their smiles upon the brows of
the individual, our commonwealth will
flourish, our land be ever the land of Lbs
erty, and America an asylum for the OPP
pressed, where the blessings of govern
ment fall like dew from the heavens up>
on the rich and the poor alike"
Dinner was served to large concourse
of people at noon, and the day passed in
the village without the least alloy.
AT MOLINE
there was fine celebration under the
auspices of the Order of the Modern
Woodmen, in which lodges from Daven-
port and Rock Island participated. There
was procession of military, fremen and
lodges in the midst of grand decorations
on the streets, and march to the grove
where there was fine music, singing, read>
ing of the declaration. and an Grafton by
DR.. P. L. McKinnie Moline was ablaze
with fire works in the evening.
AT DAVENPORT.
1t was great day at Davenport, and
many from this side went across the river
to join in the observances. In the morn
ing there was parade of Company B,
Iowa National Guards, and the LeClaire
Regiment Band, and the procession, afte T
passing through the principal streets, ter,
minated at Scheutzen park, where the ex'
ercises consisted of shooting for gold
medals by the members of Company B,
Frank Parmelee taking the first prize and
W. F. Graham, second; an individual drill
by the members of the company in which
". A. Skies won first prize and J. j. Fra
zier, second. In this drill there were
thirty commands, and the perfect wal
thirty with possible 900 points. The
winner made an average of 1864, and the
second best 853. Then there was mill
tary exhibition drill by the company anC
one in calisthenics by the champion Tur
ner class of the United States, besides
fireworks and good time generally, Al
Central park the Knights of Labor hel(
forth, and several thousand people were
; present. The Grafton was delivered by
NJ. V. Cannon, and an address was made
by T. L. Sharon, editor of the Iowa Mes
senger. The other exercises consisted o
reading of the declaration of indepen-
dence, band music, etc. In the evenin!
the sky was brilliant with fireworks.
AT OTHER PLACES.
Coal VALLEY, July 6.-The Fourtl
came off favorably. The weather wa
fine, the clouds were somewhat threaten
ing but did not bring rain. There wer
quite q number of attractions. many up
propriate to the occasion, and some were
not. The celebration was held in tb,