Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-02-24
SHERMAN TELLS
COUNTRY'S NEEDS
At CLUB Dinner
Eloquent Speaker From Spring
field Makes Interesting
Address.
OVER A HUNDRED PRESENT
Theme Is George Washington, v
Upon Whose Character En-
tire Talk Is Based.

Expressions OF the trust tnat ne /
places in his fellow countrymen; of
faith in the organic construction Of
the United States government; of |
commendation for George Washing |
ton and his contemporaries, and
stories told with a droll humor, !
made Hon. Lawrence Y. Sherman of
Springfield a most interesting and
entertaining speaker before more
than 100 members of the Rock Is
land club last night at the tenth an
nual banquet in observance of the
anniversary of the birthday of
George Washington. In accord with
the spirit of the day, the theme of
the speakers address was George
Washington, and il was upon that
greatest of all statesmen that the
groundwork for the address was
laid. Using the life and work Of
Americas first president as a frame
work, Mr.. Sherman puilded up his
address.
THE FATTHLESS ENGINEER.
1T is not that the organic struc-
ture of the government OF the Unit
ed States is weak, that the theory is
wrong, or that the system is wrong"
said the speaker, but rather that
there is something the matter with
the government, that makes men
think that the machinery needs over
hauling, ought to be changed. The
framework today is the same that IL
was when George Washington was
president OF the country. 1t was
good enough then; ii is good enough
now. The trouble is that some faith
less engineer has slipped a cog and
the machinery has become irregular
and jerky because somebody is not
operating IL Alright. II is an i'm
provement OF method that we want,
not an organic reconstruction. Just
because some long-haired college
professor comes along and says that
economical questions are constantly
pressing for solution is no reason
on earth that there is anything
wrong.
CHANGE IN POPULATION.
Since the framework of this gov
eminent was built, the country has
grown from three-and-a-half millions
10 ninety millions. When an archi-
teCt plans a small house, he uses
strong and ample material; when he
plans a larger house, the only
change is that he uses more mater
ial So II is with the government
The framework that was planned by
George Washington and his contem
poraries is strong enough today. The
only change there is is that II re
quires more men to handle the ma
chinery. The government today II
the same as IL was then, with the
exception OF Q few little details; the
soldier of today is the same that HI
was then; the men in time Of peac'
today are as those then in time o
peace; we have the same judiciar.
performing the same functions
President Taft is doing the sam,
things that President Washington
did. All that has changed is tn
population.
WILL HISTORY REPEATf
George Washington is cited to u
by historians for his truthfulness
They never fail to mention that:
is only the mistakes that were mad
that they forget about. Washing
ton was elected unanimously tn
first time and the second time, an
then he retired unanimously. Neve
since has a president been elected 1
that way. VIII history repeat II
self? Washington was not a polit
clan: he was not well versed in civ
life. IL was as a soldier that he e,
celled. Fearless and willing to TAX
chance. slow to reach a decision
but right when he did make II, h
was great soldier. He had h
troubles in war times because he wa
slow at thought. Some times he wa
outgeneralled and his stan becam
critical. lie knew that his life wa
In danger and he prepared an est
mate OF his generals. a documer
that is still preserved. History prov,