Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-09-25

had they been provided with suits.
There are over 500 men in the clut
and fully halt of them, if not
already mem bers of the marching
corps, are anxious to Join.
The parade formed at the clubs
head uarters on Third avenue
facing west, and headed by Beuer's
band proceeded west to Fifteenth
street, north to Second avenue. east
to Seventeenth street, south to Third
avenue, east to Nineteenth street,
south to Fourth avenue, east to
| Twentieth street, north to Second
| avenue and west to the Harper house.
| Here a carriage containing the speak
ers of the evening took its place in
line and the march continued to Har-
per's theatre, where the meeting was
| held.
| The line of march was brilliant
with red fire and the club was accom-
panied by a continuous cheer from
the people who thropged the side
walks. When it had passed nothing
but favorable comment was heard
from ali. regardless of party affilia-
| tons.
The opera house was packed when
u.
order and introduced j. I. Ken
worthy as chairman of the evening. On
the stage, which was decorated with
banners and pictures of the demo-
cratic leaders, sat 80 prominent dem
ocrats of this vicinity, six of whom, at
least, as Mr.. Volimer subsequently
remarked, had been supporters of the
republican ticket four years ago.
Mr. VoIImer Admits Mistake.
Mr.. Vollmer, being introduced, be-
gan with an open confession. Four
years ago. he said, he was doing all
that lay in his power to secure the
election of William Mckinley, but,
having seen his mistake, in this cam
paign he is going to do all he can for
the other side. The sole argument
that the repu blicans are presenting is
that OF having induced a return of
prosperity. Admitting for the sake
of argument, that this is true, Mr..
Vollmer called attention to the fact
that the entire civilized world was
suffering a business depression four
years ago, and the revival of activi-
ty, such as it is. has been
general. Does the republican party
claim the credit for it all. or is it not
more likely that conditions that have
operated the world over have been
potent here in spite of q repu blican
administration? The influences that
have tended to produce local prosper
ity have been bought at fearful cost. |
Six thousand million dollars, during |
McKinley's administration, have been |
organized together in trusts. and in
A. IS 3 f,-,,a sfY,to
a blanket mortgage upon the Ameri-
can people. When foreclosure is de- |
manded it will call for American |
sweat and blood to pay it. Ia regard
to the claim set up by the republicans
that Imperialism is a myth, the
speaker referred to the judgment of
such men as Senator Hoar, Bourke
Cochran, T. B. Reed, Richard Olney,
Carl Schurz and numerous others who
pronounce the issues fairly drawn
and do not hesitate to denounce the
stand taken by the administration.
Speaking of our duties as a world
power, Mr.. Vollmer spoke of the great
influence which our government hts
bad in modifying the present forms of
the governments of Europe, and called
attention to the fact that our position
as model among nations is in jeop-
ardy.
Reviews Whole Situation
Charles X Ladd, of kewanee. fol-
lowed Mr.. Vollmer and spoke nearly
two hours. He reviewed the entire
political field. He scored many strong
points against rePublicanism and
stood ready to produce proof for his
every statement, and in many cases
read from indisputable sources ex-
tracts in support of his statements
His principal theme was the increas-
ing power in America of the infiu-
ences that make toward imperialism
He showed how the idea that patriot
ism and voting the republican tickle.
are synonymous terms is infused into
he minds of children almost from in
fancy. and explained how such condi-