Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-03-04
WILSON TALKS
ON BIG BUSINESS
New Jersey Executive and
Presidential Candidate
Speaks in Davenport.
ADDRESS IS NoNPARTISAN
Sets Hearers 20 Thinking by the
Mastery of His Mind and
ElOquence.

Governor Woodrow Wilson Of New
Jersey and candidate for the democrat
ic presidential nomination. was the
guest Of the Davenport Commercial
club Saturday night on which occasion
his topic was Big Business and Big
Business Methods His trained mind
gave forth 70 the medium of his easy
eloquence facts startling in their vital
importance and interest-compelling in
the novelty Of their presentation.
By the magic Of his touch the dried
and worn questions Of tariff, regula-
ton OF trusts and business methods in
general we're made live and burning
issues. The consensus of opinion was
that the address was one of the great
est ever delivered by the many not
able personages of the nation while
on a visit in the three cities.
The clarity Of his address. varnish-
ed as it was, with telling epigrams.
made his audience think
The entrance of the governor into
the dining hall of the Commercial club
was the signal for a rendition of an
original song. sung TO the air Of John
Browns Body This composition was
a hybrid parody on the Missouri
'houn' dawg' song.
President +. p. Adler Of the Greater
Davenport committee presented Attor-
ney Charles erik as chairman for the
evening. In introducing the governor
Mr. erik spoke OF the historical sig
nificance of Davenport. Governor Viii
son then spoke in part as follows:
"One OF the great difficulties of poll
tics is that so many are walking with
their heads over their shoulders ano
trying TO see what has been done in
the past as a guide for the future.
Rather than living in the past we
should live our lives in the ever &C
tive present, keenly alert in our search
for men and measures. In this | am
not speaking, either as a democrat or
a republican.
Il have no objection, however, TO
you remembering that | am a demo
crat But partisan politics is not the
argument in this case.
I'VE must keep abreast of the times
or events will get beyond our con.
troll. In college they thought | was
radical and was inclined to turn toe
many things upside down. The same
criticism was made of me when ! en-
tered political life. But if you do not
keep abreast of the turn of events this
same turn Of events will pass you by
NOT 4 REFORMER.
Il am not a reformer am merel!
trying 10 keep abreast of the times
Rather. am not a laggard;
won't lag.
"Nou men are interested in the sta
bility Of business. You don't want
to be disturbed. You want to be abb,
TO know that business will be contin
ued without interruption. And so it i
with business in general.
Progressive politics in both pan
ties is told by business that il want
to be left alone. We have agree
with the men on the other side O
the house to let business alone il bus
ness will let MS alone.
business should not have contrC
OF politics. II you'll take your hand
OF Wen take ours of. Is that a ba
gain?
Are you satisfied with business
DO you really want business organize
as IL Is now? Isn't II true that the ia
m today is not the same question g
Il was - years ago? Aren't you on
great glacial drift, the direction
which YOU do not know? Let us e
anime for a moment the change in CT
cumstances
BUSINESS Is NOT FREE.
Business was once free. Now it
not free. / make that as a propositio
which cannot be controverted.
Look to the future. Make provisic
that your sons will have the opportu
tiles they need A nation is made grei