Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-08-22

! The trouble with most men is. they
want to commence at the top. whereas,
| in order to succeed. one must COM
menCe at the bottom. John Deere COM
menced at the bottom. You can see
the evolution, from the old blacksmith
shop to the mammoth plant in Moline.
the outgrowth of his labor and genius.
If you would succeed, you must do as
he did, hammer and pound as he ham
mered and pounded the iron to make
his first pillow. | have no patience with
the young man who says that times
are not as they used to- be and that
there are no more opportunities TO go
into business and succeed. IL is not
true. In our country, if young man
has energy. perseverance and char
acter. he can and will succeed.
Local Institutions.
1T was a fortunate day when the
government decided to build an arsenal
on the island. 1t is perhaps the great
est gun factory in the world and is
making more machines destructive of
human life in case of wa:, than any
similar institution on the glode. II
employs thousands of men and will
continue to do SO. as long as nations
war with each other. For centuries to
come. it will be most helpful to and
will add to the fame of the tTi-cities.
Again. Rock Island is to be con-
graduated. upon being selected as the
home of the Modern WOOdmen of
America II is not only an honor TO
have this institution in your midst. but
il adds materially To- the wealth of
your city. and benefits a large number
of her citizens. 1t is the largest insur-
ancc fraternity in the wrold. having
nearly 900 900 members and more than
81 goo. 600 600 of insurance in force
No one contributed more TO its
coming than Head Clerk c. w
Hawcs. The order is to- be cOngratu-
lated in securing so able and efficient
man. for one of its most important
offices and it shows excellent judg-
ment in retaining him so long. Maj.
Hawes is not only an old settler, but
the son of an old settler.
Greatest Debt.
Without in the least Iesscning our
admiration for the men mentioned.
am fully persuaded. that we owe our
greatest debt of gratitude to those old
settlers. who in 1861 seized their guns.
marched south, fought long and vail
antly TO save the union. At the first
call of duty. they responded and stood
firm until the struggle ended. These
men never faltered, they were ready to
fight and die if need be. to save the
nation. What greater sacrifice can a
man make team to die for his country.
Who will deny that the list of names
of those who thus died. inscribed on
that monument in court house square
is not Rock Island couuty's roll of
honor. | shall not recall their deeds of
valor. They are known TO all men and
are a rich legacy left the nation they
saved. No weak words of mine can add
to their fame Yon marble shaft erect
ed by a patriotic people, will crumble
into dust, but a union restored is their
enduring monument. a country now
the richest and most powerful-is their
reward. They gave the nation under
God a new birth. Lincoln had said
and truly said that this nation could
not long survive half slave and half
free When tho old soldier laid down
his arms. thanks to Almighty Coo.
Abraham Lincoln, and the Grand Army
of the Republic il was all free They
placed high in the heavens, where it
can be seen by the down trodden and
oppressed. in every part of the globe.
a beacon light TO guide them 10 a
country. where they can enjoy. not on
ly equality before law, but equality of
opportunity as well. In a word. they
are honored wherever liberty is priced
and wherever man pressed down by
tyrants is struggling to be free
Another Rock Island.
a while ago I said / could see two
Rock Islands. can see another. The
contrast may not be so marked. but
the future day will far surpass the
present one. Why do I predict this?
Because this wide awake. progressive,
energetic people will not stand still
They are Americans and it would be
un-American 10 do that. Besides. look
al your situation, the center of the
United States. as well as midway be
tween the Atlantic and the Pacific.
Look az your great water power prac-
.ticalIy as yet. ndeveloped. With i'm
provements 10 come. you will have
slack water navigation 10 the head Of
the rapids Then. electricity can be
generated 10 keep in motion, not only
the wheels Of industry. but sufficient 10
operate electric tramways. to every
nearby town. bringing you into close
business relations with thousands upon