Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-02
Az THE
Speeches Ey the Three Mayors and STATES
Attorney Searis.

EtltS"kkV CA't VI IN stilcI HUH
were opened at . o'clock, I. II.
Thomas presiding.
IN addition to I. II. Thomas
introductory remarks, short ad-
dresses were made by Mayor 3. (.
Knox of Rock Island, Mayor Gustave
Swenss,n of Moline. and Mayor Henry
yolimer Of Davenport, the speech
of the day being delivered by States
Attorney G. J.. Searle. Mayor knox
spoke words Of welcome aud also the
gratitude that all should feel to the
Giver o! ali Good for so delightful a
dag. lie complimcntcd the labor
organizations on their parade. and
referred. to the benefit TO come from
united labor. Mayors Swensson and
Vollmcr spoke in Il congratulatory
order, and both made able efforts.
The latter spoke OF the Importance
of the labor question and the fact
that some day it must be settled.
but when that time comrs he had
confidence enough in the American
people to know they would solve it
tquitably and justly.
States Attorney Ssarie Speaks.
The address of States Attorney c.
j. Scarlc was an able and well con-
structcd aud appropriate one taking
almost n hour aud commanding the
closest attention OF the large assem-
hlagc, Which he impressed with the
Importance and object of the day
recognized by the nation. He never
appreciated more fully an invitation
than the one to address the laboring
people on this occasion. ..On such
an occasion as this" continued Mr..
Scarle. 1--WE not only cease from our
daily toll Tor purpose Of recreation
and en- ioyment. which are and should
he proper and laudable features of
the day, but we also meet for the
purpose OF furthering that cause,
labor. to which this dav is consc-
Grated, by observation and duty; by
an exchange of ideas and reileciion.n
lie enumerated the more important
and rigid changes in economic, social
and financial conditions which have
taken place since the country's foun-
dation; all of which have a tendency
toward freedom and Independence.
although all classes had their troubles
to contend with. He deprecated the
concentration of wealth in the
hands OF the few and preferred
its distribution. The disastrous
railroad strike of last year
ago was touched upon and
the weak forces of the laboring peo-
pie. although apparently powerful,
when brought face to face with the
few individuals representing i'm
mcrsity OF wealth. While not APP.
proving of ii. his observations
advanced the opinion that all acts Of
the people were toward a sociaIistic
tendency. Il find thata great many
people confuse socialism with anar-
chy." further continued the speaker.
No two doctrines were more autag-
onistic. Anarchy spurns all law
seeks TO disrupt the government en-
tirely; and pernicious and deadly
though the doctrine may be, it is
practically harmless, because it is SO
repulsiVe to the reason and teaching
of III all and SO little calculated to
make any Roadway among Z people
who are blessed by having a govern
ment and laws IF their own making.
The tendency of the times is toward
plutocracy, which | regard as a
thousand times more likely to
flourish in this country than anar.
chv. Socialism contemplates en-
largement of governmental powers
lit means the government owner
ship of telegraph. railways, lands
and the operation of all industries.
1t finds its logical conclusions in the
beautiful dreams Of Sir Thomas
Moore in his Utopia and in Bel
iamy's Looking Backward" In
conclusion Mr.. Searle offered some
wholesome advice toward the perpe-
tuity CT prosperity and %independ.
enee: "Let us be for law and order
for all time 1t took thousands OF
years to establish the doctrine tina,
all men, high and low, rich and poor,
are equal before the law. Treasure
that blessed privilege as the pa.ladi.
um of yonr liberties. Guard against
demagoyery. and above all what
seems to be a growing tendency to.
ward venalitv. bribery ami corrup-
tion in elections. Elect able men
to Office; particularly legislative Of
flee and above all choose honest men.
Teach and train your children tina,
public office is a public rust. Dis.
c~ountenance turbulence. law-brcak-
ing and mob rule. Nobody suffers
from these like the producing
classes.i The law should be made,
and can be, for the benefit of us all.
With a pure ballot in the hands of
the people they always have it in
their power tn correct any abnse.
II constitutions get liz the road. as is
sometimes the case. it lies with US
to brush them aside, but always
legally. We can't do ANYTHING by