Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-03-09
SECESSION BEGINS
First Move for a Division in the
Salvation Army.
BALLlHGToN BOOTH IN THE LEAD

Declares His Purpose Before . Large
Audience In Cooper Union, New York
Great Enthusiasm Aroused by the Dis.
play Of Old Glory and washington's Por-
trait-New Army to Work Among tho
Middle Glass of Artisans.
New YORK, March 9.-The inaugural
step made by Ballington Booth, the de-
posed commander of the Salvation Army
In America, for a rival organization on
lines similar to the one from whose COM
mand he has been relieved met with sue
cess last night Cooper Union was tho
scene where the first gun was fired. tho
echo of which thrilled the hearts of 5000
soldiers who, since the commencement of
the international strife which has sunder-
ed Darlington Booths allegiance to his
father, General Booth. of London, have
remained loyal to the deposed commander
and his wife, Maud Booth. Every seat in
the big auditorium was occupied. Tho
aisles were crowded and the streets out
side were thronged.
The Flag Creates Enthusiasm.
The women wore the regular Salvation
Army emblem, but the poke hat was alb
sent. The men, too, had their badges but
wore no red jackets. Shortly after 2
time to be seated, Captain Schneider, of
the Bowery corps, sprang on chair on
the platform and waved an American flag
with painting of George Washington.
The audience cheered Justify and the ut.
most enthusiasm prevailed Order had
scarcely been restored when Major Peter
Glen. who was among the first of the off.
GERS to tender his resignation after Eva C..
Booth had taken command, appeared on
the platform waving an American flag
and placed life-size crayon painting OF
George Washington on an easel in front
Of the speakers table This was the signal
for renewed outbursts Of applause.
Go wild Over the booths.
When Ballington Booth and his wife
arrived from their Mont Clair home the
audience lost control ofitself. Their pres
ence on the platform was the signal for an
Outburst Of enthusiasm such as had never
before been witnessed in Cooper Union.
There was some music and considerable
singing, after which Ballington Booth
rose and said: "Mrs. Booth and myself
have not come here tonight to allude to
the recent sad tronble. 1t is quite true
we have, after mature dcliberation, de.
c,ded to marguerite a new movement
Could we have avoided it. it would most
assuredly have been done on our part; but
we recognized that the great American
people believed that we had done work
nine years for which they were gratified,
and would not listen to the protest that
We would retire into private life.
Will Work Among the Artisans.
s.Racoopiziry xr-o n ia Tho lo,,o-e Gala
In the world, and still further realizing
that there was room in America for one,
two-aye loo Salvation Armies-we have
resolved to the best of our ability to win
over the middle classes of the artisan
community of this country. We wish no
strife with the Salvation Army-no strife
either literal or verbal. 1 belive that the
failure of the so-called religious organi.
lions OF the present day is that they do not
come down to the living places where
Jesus Christ wants to be represented /
want to assure Mrs. Booth and those off.
GERS who have stood by me that I see in
the distance movement which tonight
has received its impetus in this great
gathering. do not want any thing that
exists in the air, but genuine consecra-
ton of our soldiers to the faith of Christ.
Too Much PATHOLOGY, too Little Heartoloey.
There is at least IS per cent. of the
| wnge-earning populace of the community
who are not identified with any church OF
place of religious worship. 1t is those we
| want to reach and extend 20 them the
love that inspired the Nazarine on the
streets of Jerusalem, nearly 1900 years
ago. Oh how much pathology and how
little Neurology there is today. Mrs.
Booth and myself have within the last
few days been reading thehistory of that
| great American soldier, George Washing.
ton, whose portrait stands on this plat
form tonight. We thought of him and
his goodness Of heart and love for Christ
| as he turned away for a moment from the
frightful scenes Of Valley Forge and 70.
paired to the woods where he knelt in
prayer to the God of his country. What.
| ever be the mission we undertake it will
bear the righ: stamp and will be directed
In the right direction"