Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-24

Port Byron. Ill, Aug. 24.-Editor Ar
gus. 1t is proposed that the annual
county Sunday school rally shall here
after occur on the Fourth of July. The
suggestion deserves careful study.
Something may be said both for ar,
against, and deliberate Judgment can
be formed only after both sides have
received full consideration. The pres
ent writer does not attempt any eX-
haustive discussion only starter.
1t will be said that the day is al
ready occupied. There is no time or
place for a new feature, and especi-
ally for one of such large dimensions.
If this be true, the famous law, the
survival of the fittest' must be i'll
voked. If the new feature is good
one; if it is an Improvement on those
now existing, it will make a place for
itself. If not. it will die natural
death, as it will deserve TO do.
Or, il may be said that many who
would wish 10 attend the rally have
other engagements on that day-cus-
/
therefore the rally will not be Il sue
cess Such people, of course. Will have
10 choose between the rival obligations
or attractions, and thus again the rally
must demonstrate its claim And. on
the other hand. the day is general
holiday. Everybody expects to go
somewhere, business is suspended, in
dustry stops, all are at leisure, and
thus the rally has larger field from
which to draw, and should be even
better attended.
Another and perhaps more valid OBJ
lection has to do with transportation.
On that day all trains are loaded, all
facilities are taxed to the limit But
this proposed arrangement would sug
gest change in the direction and deS-
tination of the travel rather than an
increase in its amount. And if it was
an understood thing from year to yea
transportation companies would pre-
pare themselves.
Another practical objection is the
inconvenience of holding the rally near
the beginning or end of the week, on
a Monday or Saturday, for example,
as would sometimes happen. This is
a real difficulty, but it may not be in
surmountable.
These considerations we regard as
incidental only; the main question lies
deeper. Is the day appropriate to the
occasion? Is there harmony or dis
cord in the association? Does it agree
with the eternal fitness of things thus
to celebrate our nations anniversary?
At the first glance there does seem
to be a little discord. With the Fourth
of July we naturally associate noise.
powder, fireworks. sports, races, games.
together with more or less usually
more - disorder, accidents, drunken
ness, and crime. At the Sunday school
rally we expect quiet, good behavior
just the opposite conditions.
But there has been for some years
an increasing demand for sane and
riot Cities are forbidding some of
the more disorderly forms of enthusi-
asm. Saloons are often closed, or are
supposed to be, and the police are
busy
The Sunday school rally and picnic
exactly meets this demand. 1t enforces
GOOD order. sobriety, decency. 1t Of
iers games, contests. sports: but they
inust De clean and wholesome, all
: oiiahism profanity and gambling be-
barred. 1t allows ample opportun-
1 ffar~t
10y lor the display of enthusiasm 1t
l. honors the old flag. and teaches the
best lessons in patriotism and good