Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-07-15
GLORY IN VICTORY,
Rock Islands Enthusiastic Cele.
bration Of the Surrender
Of Santiago.
PRIDE IN COMPANY A BOYS

Music and a Procession Followed by
Ringing Speeches by Mayor Mediil
and Messrs. McEniry, Searle. John.
son, White, Sturgeon. Brock and
Hurst.
Rock Island fttingly celebrated the
surrender of Santiago last night, not
only because she shared the pride and
Joy felt by every town under the
starry banner. but because she had
sons who assisted in accomplishing
the victory. There was procession,
headed by Bleuer's band through the
principal streets, where there were
displays of fireworks and flags. Pat
DoOlittle's coach. bearing banner on
which was inscribed Whats the
Matter with Company A. 9th Regi-
ment, Ill. Vols?" led the van. Men.
women and children turned out in
large numbers and cheered. 1t was
an unaffected manifestation of the
true American patriotic spirit.
Ringing speeches were heard from
the Second avenue balcony of the
Harper House, where the assemblage
was called to order by Mayor r. j.
Medill. He said the victory at Santi.
ago was not only one Of national i'm
pOrtance, but to it attached immense
local significance in that our soldier
boys participated in it. having
for hours laid in the trenches be-
fore the besieged town ready to de.
fend to the death their flag and
country. The people of Rock Island
have reason to feel glad that the sur
render was effected before a final strug.
gle.
Hon. William McEniry was intro
duced as the first speaker. The ma
ority of his listeners had never
before had an opportunity of cele-
brating a victory Of their soldier boys
in the battlefield, he said. We have
reason to feel proud of Company A.
But no wonder the Spaniards gave up
when Bear Rosenfield before them.
He paid beautiful tribute to Presi-
dent Mckinley, whose magnificent
act in behalf of a magnificent re.
public in Offering to return
the enemy's army to its ma
tive soil, he said. was unparalleled in
the worlds history. We have taught
Europe we are one people, and have
but one president. We NAV fight po-
litically. but when the last ballot is
counted we go home and cheer fol
the victor. Another thing the wa,
has accomplishment has wiped out
sectionalism-and when we see mer
who fought one another on the field
some 30 years ago standing shoulde,
to shoulder now against common
foe, we see something that past his
tory does got record. Mr.. McEnir,
concluded by lauding the manhood
and valOr of the members of Com
pany A, and predicted that no com
pany would return home with nor,
laurels than they.
Two Counties Side by Side.
Hon. j. W. White was next called
upon. In his characteristic humorous
manner he said that he was glad to
know that in the 9th regiment there
are citizens Of Rock Island and White.
side counties lying side by side in the
trenches to do what they have done
before-tight-but this time they
have gone together to battle a com.
mon foe. We have occasion to con-
graduate ourselves that he,smoke is
beyond our own borders. We who
were enemies in the COS are brothers
now. The blue and the gray are
marching together. We are wagins
war for for ourselves, for freedom
christianity and humanity.
The band interpersed the speeches
| with patriotic airs.
Charles j. Searle spoke of the ioy
and pride with which every American
heart swelled on learning of the vic.
tory at Santiago. 1t lifted load
from many an anxious heart in Rock
| lsland-those mothers. fathers, SIS
tiers and brothers and sweethearts whC
have dear ones at the front. We can
share their pride and Joy. because we
have not only the best, but the
bravest people on the face of the
globe. No people are equal in pa.
triotism. honor and loyalty. We can
rejoiee as one united people proud in
our majesty, honor and bravery, and
all sing glory to one flag
j G. johnson. general attorney of
the Modern Woodmen, followed, draw
ing vivid picture of the lessons OF
American patriotism-what an influ-
euce it is waiting over foreign lands;
how We flock as one man to the de-
fence of our standard: how mothers.
with their prayers and advice sent
their boys away to battle, learning
again that the hand that rocks the
cradle is the hand that rules
the world. Mr.. johnson said en-
ployers also allowed their men
to 90 away assured that their places
would be reserved for them if thew
ever returned, and in looking into the
faces of the assembled ladies he be-
lieved that there were other places re-
served for the boys of Company A.
This country has ideals of freedom
which have heretofore been unknown
in other parts of the world, but the
veil is being lifted. The eyes OF all
nations are on us-they are learning
that the best patriotism is intelligent
patriotism, and that here the grandest
and best sentiment in the world pre-