Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-09-05

veloping and founding institutions
in all other sections of it you helped
bear the burden without q murmur.
No section Of the state contributes
more freely of its resources, to the
support OF our in,titu ions than does
this section. Nowhere are there to
be found . people more intelligent and
patriotic than are the people of this
section, and no section in the Union
surpassed northwestern Illinois in
furnishing brave men to support the
integrity of the flag. You have long
felt that you we're entitled to recog-
milton, tina, your location and inn
portance entitled you to state insti-
tuition. Your representatives In the
legislature have worked hard for
this end and your day has come, and
as the executive of this state it
gives me great pleasure to assist in
the ceremonies Of laying this corner
stone. l feel that l am most fortu-
nate in having been officially con-
nected with the state at q time when
she is founding number OF new insti-
tutions; for we are founding two new
insane asylums. two new normal uni
versities. besides erecting number
of other most important public
buildings in different sections of the
state. What was known as the Au-
gustine age in Rome was made lus-
trous. not by Augustus, who was not
a great man, but by the genius and
the works of the great men of that
age. feel that am fortunate in
being officially connected with this
state at this time when her great
pc pie are planting the landmarks of
her civilization by the creation of
new institutions.
commit this institution to your
watchful care, to your patriotism
add to your high sense of public
duty. No matter who the trustees
may be from time to time, they will
be influenced by your judgment. and
l ask you to see to it that this insti-
tuition is made to serve the high pur.
pose for which it was founded.
ask you to see to it for all the years
to come, that it be not used as a con.
venience by political maniPulatots,
and that its pay roll be not made to
furnish support for the dependent
relatives Of prominent citizens.
ask you 70 see to it that character
merit and superior qualifications
alone snail rule this institution.
For Civilization and Humanity.
You have observed that the style
of architecture adopted is what ha.
been called tudor-gothic and ha.
something in common with the ia
nous castles found in Europe. Ian
told. that as the traveller ascends the
Rhine and views some noted castles
situated on hill top he is ,regaiet
with an account OF the maraudine
baron, who lived there centuries ago
and with q small band of retainert
emerged from time to- time to rot
and plumber his weaker neighbors
In the centuries which are to come
as tho intelligent traveller shall as
cend the great Father Of Waters" and
see this magnificent structure com
mandiog view OF the SUR oundine
} country, he will exclaim: 1.-The,
|. stands a monument to the intelli
gence the civilization and the hu
manity of the people of northwestern
, Illinois,"
There was the rendition of Gamer
, lea" with benediction by Rev j. s
Cummings, which concluded the ex
ercises.
, 1t was expected that the COVER
} ncr's party would return to Rocl
) Island by the steamer George M
|, Waters ~