Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-16
BARD BOBBY BURNS
His Praises Sung by Supt.
Robert g. Young.
A LECTURE AT THE BROADWAY.

Head OF the Rock Island Public Schools
MAKES HIS First Appearance on the Plat
form, Telling of the Life and Character
Of ScotIand's Uncrowned Poet Laureate
The praises of Scotland's bard,
Bobby Burns, were eupg at the
Broadway Presbyterian church last
night by Robert G. Young. superin-
tendent Of the Rock Island schools.
1t was the first public appearance on
the platform here of Mr. Young, who
enj oys quite reputation throughout
the west as lecturer, and who won
many new admirers last night.
Burns, the Uncrowned Poet Lau-
reate," was the subject OF Mr.
Ioung's talk. He recited MANY of
the incidents of the career OF the
Scotland bard, whose life and char
acter he illustrated in a most enter
tanning and interesting manner.
''Men are often born in unpro-
pitious ages, as well as unfriendly
climes." said MIR. Young. and thus
genius-transcendent genius-and
the germs of mighty power are hid
den by the sombre veil of dead age,
or crushed by the remorseless grip
OF the most cruel and depressing
conditions. Lsbor-painful, persist
ent. continuous-is said to be the
agency that produces great men; but
conditions make more great men
than does labor. Robert Burns was
a man of wonderful power and at the
same time of astonishing weakness
He was born in an unpropitious age.
in an unfriendly cline, and under
the most depressing conditions; and
yet, during his short life. be eserted
a tremendous influence for good that
has rapidly increased as the years
have come and gone. His power was
of that kind which develops by
reason of its own irresistible energy
and which, in spite of his poverty,
made him a man OF marked efficiency
in lifting his people above that alb.
normally depressed condition into
which life of the most mental
drudgery had forced them.
''Burns lived at time when the
poor we're desperately poor; when
the hand of the rich crushed beneath
it the humble peasant; when rank
and wealth were the gods b-fore
which the servile knee was ever bent,
and yet he lived at time when the
lesson of better social and political
condition was just beginning to stir
the hearts of men and I'LL them with
longings that to this day are not fully
satisfied. Although in so many re-
spects an unpropitious age, it was a
time that needed just such bold, in
dependent, liberty-lovipg men as he.
Men, who by their courage and help
fulness could lift up the fallen. in
spire the discouraged and speak
words of comfort and help TO those
who had fallen into the depths of
despair. Such a man was Robert
Burns. Bound to the people by ties
OF sympathy, interest and associa-
ton. hampered beyond expression
by toll and poverty; crushed often
times by unexpected calamity, yet
inspired by the rugged mountains of
his loved Scotland. drinking in spira-
ton from natures glorious manifes-
tations. he became poet. the beauty
and richness of whose songs were
equaled only by the pain and an
guish which for the greater part of
his life filled to Overlooking his ach-
ing heart. Alas. the strength of his
will was but weakness, and on this
rock he wrecked the wonderful pos
sibilities of his life. To his weak
will he added questionable stand
ard CT morals which frequently
brought upon him the censure Of
public opinion and caused his friends
the keenest anxiety and apprehen-
sion. As result Of this comminsling
of characteristics, Burns was poor,
proud. active and restless, chafipg
under the conditions which he in
part made for himself, but could
not shake off, and which CALLED him
at times almost to madness.
Life Of the Poet.
..On the 25th day of January,
1857, in clay built cottage, sur
rounded by few acres of sallow,
hungry soil, Robert Burns first saw
the light" continued the speaker,
" uO kuSu lOAIOWcu tue poet Oh
through life and it's attendant for
tunes and misfortunes; how he min
gled in the society of the rollicking
lads and lassies, and finally becoming
popular in debating society, and
then being convinced that he
could not successfully follow the
ordinary occupations Of his time,
he resolved to turn his attention to
the composition Of verses; how he
became discouraged by his repeated
failures in business, soured from the
effect of his frequent designations
and made irritable BY his physical
suffering. he became gloomy and sad
and a melancholy state came over
him which remained till his death
The speaker sail that one of the
most marked characteristics Of
Burns was his intense love Of nature.
In closing his tribute to the poet he
quoted Thomas Carlyle: "In pity
ing admiration he lies enshriped
In all our hearts in q far
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