Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-07-13
ORANGEMEN's DAY.

The Annual Picnic at Lsttle's Grove
Yester,Iny----Mr. cues speech
Other Features.
The annual picnic of the Orangemen Of
Rock ISLAND and Mercer counties was
held in Little's grove two miles this side
of Presumption yesterday. large number
attending from this city. In all four
thousand people were present.
In the morning an elaborate street
parade occurred in which appeared a
number of gaily and appropriately deco
rated floats, one representing the United
States AMI the Goddess of Liberty. and
others the different states of the union.
The parade was headed by the Great
Western band of Davenport, and the
Reynolds and Presumption societies were
in line on horseback, while teams and
footmen followed up the rear.
At noon bounteous dinner was served,
and in the afternoon number of speeches
were made, prominent among which was
one by Rev. G. W. Cue. of this city, who
said:
IAN loyal American citizens will Ger
tainly syInpathize with the Orangemen as
they carry the United States flag and are
marked in their loyalty to our govern
ment. l am among those who believe
the stars and stripes constitute the only
flag that ought to be carried in the United
States at the head of any procession or
waving over our public buildings. be.
lieve every one coming to this govern
ment should take the oath of allegiance
and that ought to be one of the qusliti.
cations OF every school teacher in the
United States. Loyalty should be
sung In our schools and taught in
the text books. This government
opens her doors wide for the peo-
pie of the whole world TO come
to this country aud are naturalized and
become American citizens. 1t is I'M
American and dangerous to our institu-
tions to have an Irish vote, German
vote, a Catholic vote. You never hear
of an American vote, Methodist vote. a
Baptist vote. All such clanish work
should end in this country, and every
man be governed not by augmentation
in his vote. but by prime of loyalty
TO the United States. Orangemen are
warmly " elcomed here because they come
not to msddle with our schools, but to
enjoy their advantages and stand by an
open Bible, free conscience and free
ballot. When the invitation is ac>
cepted they should come to be American
80 IL
rels on the other side of the sea. This is
no battlefield for England and Ireland to
fight out their family feud. We have no
room for Clan s-Gsil societies to take the
law of Tins government into their own
hands. The murder of DR.. Cronin is a
warning 20 the United States to examine
all foreign organizations and
put an erd to all not pronounced in their
loyalty 10 this government. We want
no Irish>Americans, German Americans,
Americans. When you came
was religious liberty, boon most prec-
ious to every freeman. When Viii
liams, of Orange, drew his sword for re-
ligious freedom, he little thought that the
world would echo his praise. The vic
tories he won two hundred years ago are
realized here in America today. | am
sure the loyal sons of America will never
submit to an old bachelor over in Italy
to the management of affairs
here in this country. This is protest.
ant country offering religious federation
10 all, and Roman Catholic is just as
welcome as Protestant here, when he |
comes With THE spirit of patriotism; but |
when they become hostile to our institu> |
tons, as they have been regarding our
free schools. then it is high time for true
Americans to take such matters in hand |
and be careful who they put in office and |
never woe for man to occupy q seat on |
our school boards when we know him to
be controlled by power that is hostile |
to our public schools.
This is a splendid gathering today of |
intelligent, peaceful citizens No one
here is asked regarding his political |
principles or religious proclivities. but |
ire you true to this government and in |
'avor of religious federation? and with an |
Affirmative reponse We at once become
1rothers.'