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

ago, when upon the one hand a great
many said who were connected with
the national service. you cannot afford
TO honor him who does a great act.
unless he has been educated and disci-
plined in the military schools of our
country; and yet the great Mckinley
who stood at the head OF the nation,
who felt its pulse, and who knew the
common people. felt. saw and under
stood that Funston of Kansas had per
formed a great feat in the military ser
vice of his country. that he should be
honored. though from the common peo-
pie. apparently untutored by a long
life of military service. yet his gallant
~ and bravery had won the hearts of
the American people. and they demand
ed that bravery won while in active
service of our country, should be hon
ored, whether il came from a West
Point graduate. or from a common
country boy, in the smallest precinct
of this great land of ours.
LIberty's Call to Arms.
There are a great many of US. who
can not remember when liberty's cal;
was made. in 1860. and yet there are
a few remaining. who can tell of the
hour. and the effect it had upon the
community in which they lived
What pleasure il would be today, il
some one could rise and tell in graphic
style. how the news came to Rock ISL
and. and what the people did and said
at that time. How well you remember
ii. comrades, because it came to your
home, and TO your life, and to the
lives in whom you were most deeply
interested The father. the mother.
the brothers of the family-yea, ali
took a deep interest in those momen-
tous hours. and after consultation, how
many of you decided you must not stay
at home but you must go forth, to take
part in your country's cause.
Who can explain that power which
comes over men when their country
and its flag is in danger or jeOpardiZed.
that the work which their hands are
doing is laid aside. and the family is
called together. and the decision given,
and then comes the day of parting The
farewell. and ever after, the increasing
interest in wife and children left be-
hind.
There are ladies in this audience
who can tell You more than | could
write, of the bravery of the woman
hood. of the manhood exercised by the
sons and daughters who were left TO
take care of mother and the children.
Some have told me of the condition OF
men and women during those days of
1860 to 1865. and they would describe
|
women would walk the floors. and men
would drive in and ride from the cOun-
| try, and far and near, their coming
| was the Indication that their country
had been threatened the flag had been
target for bullets, and how mems
| visages were fixed and determined,
that no foe should divide the country
or rend the flag.
| Rally Upon Call.
| The call to arms was made by the
president of the United States, by
man whom some of YOU knew, and
knowing him, you knew the call had
not been recklesSly made. Years o.:
thought and energy and heart had been
given TO it, 1t came from mind as
gentle as a womans but firm as the
Rock of Ages, and when it came. you
boys rallied at the sound of the bugle,
and the tap of the drum, because you
knew your leader was the truest of
men. and in him was no wrong.
AS he stepped aboard with that cali
in his hand, the highest type of Amer
lean craftsmanship, you with you:
youth. your courage and your manhood
stepped on after him, and when you
realized that You were to take care of
the great ship of state. how the respon-
sibility fell upon you, and how well
great rebellion.
| How the millions trembled as they
saw her on the billowy ocean of strife,
hatred. prejudice. and an assumed con
troll of the nations affairs. And as you
answered one call after another. as
the great old ship of state was surgins
| in rebellious pillows, how the hearts
of the faithful and loved ones at home
were watching and looking for you. No
writer has ever been able to describe
| il; no tongue will ever be able To tell
il, and as the great ship was tossed
hither and thither for four long years,
and when at last the news came from
| Vicksburg, Atlanta. Richmond and APP
pomatox. We all knew the storm was
over. and looking as if for a vision. we
saw you with your commander coming
over blood-stained pillows of secession.
yes, crowned with her crown of blood,
and while they We're tattered. worn
! Continued on Eighth Page.)
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