Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-02-13

conditions. Colonel Burr said, were as
near ideal as they could be made. Nc
sweatshops or stuffy quarters are of
! fered the men to work in and they
are provided with every safety appli.
ance for their labor. Every considera
ton in the way OF light, heat and ven
/ tilation is provided for.
Government Manufacture Cheaper.
Colonel Burr dwelt at some length
on the question OF government manu-
/ facture of munitions of war. showing
the distinct saving, taking into consid-
GRAFTON every item that enters into
manufacture. between government
products and those OF the private con-
Germs. The commandant made plain
the advantage and saving to the peo-
pie IN government manufacture. He
closed his address with an expression
OF appreciation for the manner in
which the Rock Island club had al
ways boosted for the arsenal.
POSTMASTER Connolly read a tele-
gram from Congressman Clyde IL.
Tavenner expressing his regrets at not
being able to be present. and express
ed the regrets OF the club that the con-
gresham could not attend. Professor
Merry was then introduced.
Lincoln, the Common Man.
"The part OF Lincoln, which should
be reflected at this dinner tonight is
that OF the common man" said Frofes-
sor Merry. in opening his speech. His
character reached is sublimest
heights when he appeared as a com
mon man" the speaker continued. Hold
ing that Lincoln was q man in and for
times. not a man OF the future, Profes-
sor Merry began an eloquent address
covering the life and character of the
rugged statesman from early manhood
until he was killed on a fateful night
in a theatre. He spoke OF Napoleon,
Lincoln and TOlstOy as the three most
remarkable men productivity the Nine
teenth century and then Described the
differences in their characters and
ideals and the circumstances that
brought them into fame. each in his
respective sphere. Il cannot better
end this address than by quoting the
words To appear on the Lincoln memoir
ial shaft beside that OF Washington
and for which the late Shelby NJ. Gull
lom of this state worked until his dying
hour at Washington" SAID Professor
Merry IN conclusion. He then quoted
the tablet inscription as planned by
builders OF the monument. which in
beautiful phraseology portrays Lincoln
as the common man, lawyer, states
man and finally as president.
To him who would speak on the
subject. Abraham Lincoln" said Pro
fessor Merry. "one embarrassment pre-
sents itself There is but little that is
new on the life and career OF the great
man TO present There is. however. an
eminent qualification that presents
itself An inspiration and stimulus
comes rom reflection upon the life
and career. the old yet new. and ever
welcomed, as the robins song on the
return Of the seasons.
"'I-incoln's career has Influenced the
whole civilized world. We. as Amer .
leans. arc proud that our common I
wealth Is productive Of great charac- I
tiers. Among the prominent figures OF .
the 18th century. the world gives a high .
place TO Washington. And OF the 4
Il 9Th century. Lincoln IS enc OF the I
three greatest men. Each OF these .
three men OF the 18th century held dis
tinct views on the relationship OF The
people 10 government Ma
poleOn. with his career from Corsica
TO the throne Of Franco. declared that
the common man mas n place in gov
eminent only in so FAR as he can con-
tribute 20 the ambitions desires OF
Lincoln. on the other hand.
With his career from the log cabin OF