The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1885-10-21

are not so many as was expected. Other
officers however, are expected tomorrow
morning. 50 that there Will be, in all
probability, from fifty TO sixty here for
tomorrow's sessions.
ARMORy HALL.
the headquarters al the association, has
been beautifully decorated; The stage has
been greatly enlarged, over which is the
inscription. "Wecome, /. n. G." Along
the side walls are shields of the national
colors, and crossed muskets. It was 10
o'clock this morning when the conven-
ton assembled. with Col. E. p. Hamil>
ton, of Quincy, president Of the associa-
ton, in the chair and Col. f. G.. Pierce,
of Rockford, at the secretary's desk.
After calling the meeting to order, Capt.
J. J. Parks delivered the
ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
He said.
Mr.. President and Gentlemen of the Illinois Nat
| ionaI Guard Association:
1t devolves upon me, in behalf of the
Rodman Rifles and the citizens of this
city, to extend to you their hospitality,
Our information rs TO your number, has
7 been such that we have been unable to
provide such entertainment rs we would
gladly accord yo2. But we desire, be-
fore your session Closes and at such time
as will be most satisfactory to you. to
; accord you Il visit to the government
arsenal and such other points of interest
in this vicinity as will be agreeable to
you. We cheerfuly extend you n well-
come as representlve men of the Illinois
Illinois Guard and we recognize in the
Island National Guard in common with
all citizens of the state the importance
OF maintaining the state, militia and III
giving it hearty support. While we
take pride in the Rodman Rifles, our own
local organization, we recognize the value
to the state, and to the national governs
-, ment, of, militia schooled in military life
and tactics us you and the meE you rep
; resent are. 1t teaches us military
duty, as well as patriotism and love of
, country, and had we had an
organized militia throughout the different
states at the time of the breaking out of
our own civil war as We now have, the
; war would have been ended sooner than
it was, and there would not be distrbu>
ted over our land nearly so many green
graves as now mark the resting places of
many brave and true men. Our govern
ment maintains, as compared with for
; cign powers, no standing army and yet |
believe that it is the most powerful mill
tary nation upon the earth today, because
it has scattered over the different states II
Thoroughly organized militia, and when, if
ever, the time should come, and hope
and pray it may not, that our government
q, should feel the necessity of calling for
, assistance from the military power, it
would find the National Guard capable
,, and brave to enter the field, and would
he stronger because its citizen soldiers,
coming from their various vocaiions OF
life, are thoroughly endowed with pas
; triotsm and love of country. And you,
gentlemen. representing that class of
citizen soldiers, we are glad to welcome
IN our community We trust that your
, meetings will he most pleasant and profit
able. and again bid You hearty well
' come.
PRESIDENT HAMILTON
: responded in behalf of the association
; extending the thanks of the visitors for
the kindly greeting, and the kind words
, spoken of the organization The ASSOC
, citation then proceeded to business, and
, after attending to the usual preliminary
, and considerable routine work, adjourned
; until 7:3O this evening, when a number
; of military papers will be read, and other
> business transacted.
AT 30 this afternoon carriages were
sent to the Harper house and the associa
I ton in company with DR.. &. l.. Eystcr.
Mai. c. c. Carter, and Capt. j J. Parks,
drove over
TO THE ISLAND
to inspect the government works and
other points of interest in the vicinity.
The company will return to the Harper
, house at 6 o'clock and this evening II
BANQUET
will be given at the Rock Island house.
To morrow will be devoted to the bust
ness of the association, election of Of
licers for the ensuing year, etc
THE CAMP GROUNDS.
There is no subject which is agltatng
the minds of the state militia at this
time so much as the location of a per
manent camp grounds. An ARGUS re-
porter interviewed Col. f. B. Hamilton,
Of Quincy, who is a member OF the gov
crner's staff on the subject this morning
l The Colonel said he was in favor of a
; permanent camp grounds somewhere in
the state which possessed the character
} istic suitable to the purpose He would
like. if permission from the government
; could be secured, to see it right here on
the Island. He thought it would be a
) site easily reached and peculiarly a6ap-
ted to the purposes. Col. W. Il. Distn,
also of Quincy, and "A member OF the
, Governors staff, too, said he would like o
see the camp grounds wherever the
soldiers home is to be located. If this
; point was not to be considered he
thought Springfield the proper place as
il is GENERALLY located and possesses the
vacilities necessary to camp life. Adiu~
TAM General Vance was approached ON
the subject but declined to be interviewed
to any extent. He was in favor OF
permanent camp grounds somewhere in
the state, He said SS5,0OO had been
appropriated by the state for the use OF
the militia, the bulk of this would be exr
pended for uniforms after which the
grounds would be purchased in some To-
calitV IA bn IqriIr1 imam hv The (,nVprs