Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-08-09
On BEHALF OF THE STATE.
In the Absence OF Gov. Tanner States
Attorney Searle Extends Greeting.

In the Absence Of Gov. Tanner States
Attorney searie Extends Greeting.
In the absence of his excellency.
Gov: Tanner, Charles J. Searle. states
attorney, gave to the encampment the
greetings of the state of Illinois. His
remarks were in his usual popular
vein and were well received:
Commander in Chief and Members
of the Union Veterans Union: In the
absence of Gev. Tanner, who. as its
official head, was expected TO extend Il
welcome to you, on behalf of the state
OF Illinois, the committee in CHARGE.
have assigned that pleasant duty to
me. Although but private citizen
~ our commonwealth, | am sure that
am not exceeding any
prerogative as such in extending to
you. on behalf of our beloved state, a
cordial welcome. No state. of all the
grand galaxy that constitute this Tn
non. has exceeded Illinois. in the pa
triCtism of her citizens. No state
she. She has been wonderfully bless
eel by nature. And as n good country
breeds good people. she has produc-
cd Il sturdy. Industrious. enlightened,
patriotic people. In the war in which
YOU took such an honored part she
furnished more than her quota az Goth
men and money. Her loyal sons, Ike
yourselves, have seen much service in
the ranks of her defenders. They
were side by side with you in the
deadly charge. They were with roa
in the rifle pits; shoulder TO shoulder
with you on the weary march: took
their place at the lonesome. dangerous
sentry duty and stayed at their post
like soldiers. They were your COM
rades in defeat as well as in cour vic
tories. They shared in your humilia-
tion on the retreat. with the true for
itude of soldiers, they bore the dreary
storm, hunger. disease. wounds. and
death itself without a murmur. Gaze
less alike of sunshine or storm they
did their duty. They too became vel
Grams. As the most intense lovers OF
their country. They were elatel with
the return of peace. They returned 10
the peaceful walks of life and became
good citizens ,as they had been good
soldiers. They have watched The won
dcrful progress Of the country with
profound satisfaction. While thcy have
shared in the prosperity of the coun-
try, many If not most of them have
been retarded in their Struggle for
life by their sacrifices in the causa of
their country. With heartfelt graft
tude. many have been cheered on ~
the bounty of the country they 81 ed
from destruction They have felt a
just pride in their records. Every
call for patriotism has met hearty
response from their loyal hearts. At
their family firesides they have inspired
their children with patriotism. Though
for the most part incapacitated from
active participation in the present
war. their sons are there. They were
with gallant and matchless Dewey
when he dashed into the mined and
fortified harbor of Manila and with
shotted guns dealt death and destruc-
ton to the amazed Spaniards. They
were with Schley on the Brooklyn.
Clark on the Oregon. Evans on the
Iowa. Philip on the Texas. and with
unparalleled success and without The
loss of ~ man. they DESTROYED the
flower of the Spanish navy off Santi-
ago. They We're in at the victory of
Shafter. And are now in the from. of
the victorious and triumphant column
of invaders under General Miles, on
the soil of Porto Rico. As the Young
men have proudly marched 20 the
front: as the news has been received
at home of our un!,rollen line of vic
tories. ! have been surprised hat not
single sign or note of envy or ical-
ousy has escaped the lips of a veteran
of the war of '61. They have been
content TO rest on the laurels they
have so well earned. They have moth
ng but pride in and praise for the
brave and gallant sailors and soldiers
that are teaching the world that
Americans are, as ever before. 1.-THE
pruveSt of the brave"