Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-05-30

den of earth. Yet there came a tim
when the cruelty and oppression il
islands not far distant from US. becam
so terrific. that the ear Of the great
hearted nation bent low. and heard tn
groan. II was during this time. tina
lone of the great war vessels of oui
country was blown TO pieces. and near
" 300 OF our loyal young men wer'
sent to instant death Whatever ma!
have been the real cause of so terrible
a disaster. the country felt that SpaiT
and its agents had caused the dire dis
aster. and with that feeling in the
heart of almost every American. there
was an immediate demand that wal
should be declared against them
| Fortunate In Presidents.
This country has been fortunate il
| having in the presidential chair men
| who knew what war was Who had in
their youths, shouldered the musket
left their homes. friends and influence
and all the opportunities which life
was giving them. for the purpose or
| fighting for their country. They knew
what camp life was with comrades
they knew what warfare was; yes
they knew what is as TO lie under the
stars at night with nothing but the great
dome of heaven for their covering.
They knew what il was to march un
der a broiling southern sun, to climb
mountains. wade swamps, cross rivers
and endure the trials of hunger and
want. Yes. they knew more than many
Of those who were calling for war, and
he who sat in the presidential chair
al that time, knew what it meant 70
send young men. unequipped into the
country of the enemy, and you will re-
member how he stood firm as ada
mant, in his determination that your
boys. the youth and flower of the land
should not be sent forth. until there
had been due preparation by which
they could be protected from the raw
ages of disease and death; and wher
congress did act. the great lion-hearted
president of these United States. NOV
ed with such discretion. such valor,
such craftsmanship, that the whole
world looked upon him as a statesman
and a patriot
Sons of Heroes.
Thirty years of peace is not calcu-
lated TO cultivate in the heart of the
young American the military spirit
which can conquer foes, and yet dur
ing all that time. the sons of the hero
fathers seemed to have inherited all
that was necessary TO fight well, even
in a strange land: and when the car
went forth. you heard the mighty tread
of more than 100000 of as intelligent
young men as ever marched shoulder
to shoulder. over any land, or into any
battlefield
How the heart of the nation wa
awakened; how il beat with exultanS
pride. TO know that Americas young
men were filled with the thought that
they were ready for battle at a mo-
ment's call. and that a million could
be placed in the ranks in full fighting
condition. if the great president de
manded H.
How sOul-nspiring It is TO fathers
or a mothers heart. TO know that their
children are each day being cultivated
in such a way that when their govern
ment calls, they readily respond. And
as We saw and heard and felt the
mighty tread of these 200 900 young
men the nation saw another feature
which filled all their hearts with joy
Ii was the sons of Logan and Grant and
Garfield. and other Federal generals
marching alongside of the sons of
those who fell in the great conflict of
our country; and as the starry folds
OF our emblem of liberty f1oated on the
bTeeZes above each regiment, march
ing into the southern land. there was
general eXultation. that the North and
South once divided. were now solidly
united
One Grand March.
1t showed that the oldtime hatred
and prejudice was gone and that our
people were united together. into one
grand march. under one flag. not only
to preserve the honor and integrity Of
our nation. but to set a living exam
pie 10 all the nations of the world that
they could not overcome the poor and
weak, because some OF them had in
herited the power To do so. And toI
every young man who enlisted in that
war. and to every young man today.
who stands under the folds of the Am
erican flag, whether in this his native
home, or in any island of the sea. We
give him credit for maintaining the in
tegTity and the honor and the glory of
his country. and pray thar the bless
ings of God may be upon every one o.
them, wherever they may be. in field.
in tent. OF in any other quarter where
the duty OF their country has called
them.
They have never seen the service
that you SCARED veterans have seen.
but knowing what war was. have that
great love and feryor for the acts of
every soldier who is willing to offer
his life on his country's altar. and ali
of you today. feel that you can drop the
tear for the dead. that you can give
cheers. eternal cheers. for the living.
and as long as Old Glory floats, let ev
cry true American heart shout with
{ov that this country is united and