Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-01-15

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cited.
Society Flexible Term.
society, however, is very flexible
term. There is political society as
well as polite society; there are the
temperance society and the society OF
science and art and the society for
the prevention of cruelty TO children
and animals; and one of these DAYS
when / grow old and feel myself ready
TO mortify withal, intend to get up a
society for the cultivation of truth
among the newspaper fraternity. just
now | am mainly concerned about
that society which in its vast reach
takes in the whole circle of our ma
tional orbit: the entity, not less hui
man than constitutional. which we de-
scribe as the United States of Amer
lea; the republican party. the demo-
cratic party. nor yet forgetting the
populist party. and the prohibition
party. all. like the Free Masons and
the Odd Fellows and the Elks. coming
under the general style and title of
society. What is the matter with it :?
How comes it at such crOss-purpOSes? ?
Why can't we all agree about eXpan-
sion. about the tariff; as a matter of
fact. about free coinage and negro
suffrage. as the older among us used
to do about the ten commandments.
away back i'm the dim twilight before
the high waters of 40? | shall not
stop to answer these questions, be-
cause. at the root of all of them, one
worm burrOws-over each of them
throws its shadow 10
danger to us and our free fabric be-
ing the corrupt use of money in pub
lie life and affairs: in our elections. in
our Legislative assemblies. in our mu-
nicipal governments. in our system OF
corrections and charities | am going
to talk to you tonight. therefore, up
on the relation of money to society
to public and private Society-tO the
future of the country and the moral
nature of the people.
Mr.. WattersOn dwelt but little
upon the shortcomings of the noveau
richie. He held their absurd actions
up in ridicule. but assured his hearers
that the history created by their ac-
tivities held but little place in the es-
timation of well-meaning people. He
replaced the society of money with
that of wealth of brains and breed
ing, and censurcd the unholy praise Of
the dollar, which he deems to be the
goal of modern ambition. He said:
Quest of the Dollar.
Wealth. and the love of it. iS every
day bar for the better government
IF our own country. The young man
who il importuned to take a seat in
congress for a small sum that his |
may gain the benefit of his |
knowledge, spurns the paltry sum and |
n its stead accepts position i'll life |
which may be had for the asking |
he may gain Il salary far
greater than that of congressman |
o his own personal gain and to the !
ountry's loss. He argues that after !
ne has accumulated wealth he may |
purchase his seat in the United States |
senate. and thus satisfy every ambi- |
ion of man. The love of the dollar |
lollutes the love of country and the |
owe of home. Happiness is sacrificed |
O it.
Il do not mean that happiness lies
jnly with the beggar: but l say that
l man with IA million of dollars and
million of debts is in far more seri-
,us condition than the beggar with
,ut one cent and a desire for his din
Ter. The pauper and the prince; the
landmaid and the queen in her robes
If state-the two extremes in every
walk Of ife-only serve to give an
Cea Of the relative value of money.
The man with Il hundred million of
iUllars looks askance at the cringing
,auper who owns the misery million,
md the man who lives on $4,000 a
ear raises his hands i'm wonderment
when he strives TO think of how
nan can possibly live ON less that
UNI. But | venture to say that in the
Ii-cities there are men and women
Who somehow manage to exc out a
cry fair existence on $4,000 per
ear
\ general review of the social CON
.itiOn of America was then given by
FIR. Watterson. Remedies were offer
d and criticisms made with Il free
om only peculiar to journalist of
he old school who speaks his mind
Without an attempt at equivocation.
Time VIII face All Scars.
His great remedy brought for the
'eneral social abuses of the country
: time. He believes that time will
face all sears of the retrograde and
hat the next hundred years will bring
bout a solution of the things which
ow trouble the commonwealth. while
ew problems are brought 10 the at
ention Of the people. His admirable
efense If the constitution of the
'nited States is one IF the most spir-
ted ever heard by tri-city audience.
lis own life was brought to bear wit
ess on the things which have in the
asst sought To destroy the purposes
+ the greatest of documents. He call
d attention TO the great civil war and
o the great internal struggles which
ave shaken the continent from end
D end. but with never tremoT on the
art OF the constitution of the United
tate~.