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

/ the wars through which this country
has passed, by being notable seamen
but | have heard so much complaint
against the navy in years gone by. that
| had grown to think that probably the
expenditures made were useless: but
how little we know. when not connect
ed directly with the powerful agencies
of the government
Whoever may have been responsible
for the cultivation of craftsmanship
in the navy. We are now ready to say
words of praise, because victory has
again been given US, because our men
not only understood the sea, but IN
derstood well the management and the
handling of deadly weapons upon the
high seas.
Again the great commander of this
nation had ordered that the navy
should do certain work. and as they
started on their voyage of victory, who
can tell the heart-throbs of the officers
and seamen as they undertook the
great task which their nation had or
dered them to do.
That May Morning.
How little We know of the force OF
the navy as factor in our civilization.
and in our freedom, but on that May
day morning. when the brave boys OF
our armOred vessels passed across the
channels of death without hesitation
with the same feraless, steady move
ment. and with the same tried nerves.
of steel, as if they had been a regi
ment on land marching TO the fiercest
of the fight. they with the skill only of
American seamen showed 10 all the
navy on the broad expanse of wateL.
what time, care. bravery and educa
ton could do for men upon the sea. as
well as upon land. When the intrepid
leader commanded them to move, there
was not a murmur or complaint. bui
every nerve and fibre of their being
was thrilled with the fact that Ameri
can Seamen were To have an Opportun
ity to not only show their bravery. but
TO exhibit their tact, skill, energy, pa
triotism, and wisdom; and on that
beautiful May day morning, as they
passed over channels charged with
dealy wires, what glory must have fill
ed the hearts of our boys. to know that
what her guns on sea could do. and as
the sun rose in it's glory that morning,
full of promise and hope 10 earth, so
the guns of the American navy sound
ed. so that all the world might hear
that the dignity and knowledge of the
American seamen was equal 70 that o.
the American soldiery on land; and
that wherever the victory of the ma
tons navy was read, not only would
the navy of other nations understand
the victory. but our own nation would
feel that its navy was the pride and
of the world.
The Parade.
The parade this morning formed at
Fourth avenue and Sixteenth street,
and was four blocks in length. A pla-
toon of police headed the march, III
command of Chief Phil Miller. The
marshal and his aides followed. the
members of the G. A. r., Buford post,
No. 243. taking the position of honor
at the rear of the procession. Follow
ing is the formation of the procession:
Police
+. H. Bowman, marshal OF day.
julius Junge, John Ohlweiler and
Christ Gaetjer. aides to marshal.
Bleuer's band.
Company A, !. y. G.
Naval Reserves.
Mayor George McCaskrin, city Off |
cials and aldermen, in carriages.
City fire department.
Uniform rank and officers. |. o. O. +. |
Hon. j. J. Brown. Vandalia. speaker |
Of the day, with committee of Rock |
Island and Ucal lodges of |. o. O. F.. in
Odd Fellows lodges.
United Spanish War Veterans, Sibo |
hey Bay camp.
Buford post. G. A r., No. 243.
Children of city schools.
The line of march was east on Fourth |
avenue TO Twentieth street. south on
twentieth street TO Second avenue.
md west on Second avenue TO Four
eenth street. At Fourteenth street the
preceding the G. A. r.
md the United Spanish War Veterans
opened ranks and allowed the veterans
o pass through the other bodies sa-
uting and presenting arms. Ranks
we're broken, ana Jne exercises Carried
,ut at the west side of the court house.
ID. Cleland was master of ceremonies
or the day. Following a bugle call by
he post bugler, \. n CoOns, and a
patriotic selection by the band Rev.
z. b. Williams offered the opening /
prayer. An octet composed of Mrs.
J. F. Witter. Mrs. K. T. Anderson, Mrs.
!. ". Crandall. Miss Gertrude Carse.
Dr.. A. II. McCandless. Ira Karr, DR. II.
). Trent and John Hazard sang The
Star Spangled Banner" with band ac-
Music and Reading. NJ
Master of Ceremonies S. ID. Cleland.
With appropriate remarks, introduced II
he speaker of the day, Hon John J.
Brown. of Vandalia. The octet sang II
Brave Battery Boys" at the close of II
he Grafton. and this was followed by II
4 reading by Miss Gertrude Don. She II
gave Music on the Rappahannock." a
;Rlecfion very aunronriafa m the ooca-