Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-05-31
ADDRESS OF ARTHUR G.
BUSH AT COURT HOUSE

Continued from Page Fivel
disease missed. we're not less brave
than those who were taken. All left
their homes and Glanced their lives,
their health. their all. for q cause they
held Gelrcr than life itsclI
-aU of them risked life. hut the
great honor of the American soldier
has been. not that he riskgd his life.
but that he risked his life voluntarily
and Cor high moral cause.
Fought for Ideals.
"TEc American Revolution was
Fought tu establish the right of self
government The war OF 1912 was
fought 90 establish the rights of Amcri-
can citizenship on the sea. The civil
war had slavery as its aCtuatinE cause.
The Spanish war was begun 10 relieve
h distressed people from intolerable
cruelty and oppression Not one OF
these had It's roots iu SELF aEErandize-
ueut. but an Ct them were inspired by
high moral aims. and if the events OF
the next few months force our entry
into Mexico or the European war. 10
aiu not be 20 add 90 our territory. but
GO hglnr righteous government 20 "a
distressed people. or 90 establish the
rlrEt OF neutral nations 10 freedom
from unjust Interference by warning
nations
The glory % our nation has been
that when such issues have compelled
resort 90 force. her sons have stepped
forth as volunteer
"But let us not lose sight OF this
fact that whether volunteers or con-
scripts. the business of the soldier is
to lrht. GO disable. 90 Kill. For this
be- Is provided with gun and bayouet.
with sabre and pistol For this he is
drilled On company and battalion move
mcuts For this be Is trained in ex-
pert craftsmanship.
"Dav or night Be- is his business 10
kim the enemy. soldiers. fellow human
beings men Ike himself The real ma
f1re of war is well shown in the eN-
precision OF famous generals:
General Chinese Gordon said. War
is organized murder. pliaEe and cru
city
Napoleon Boneparte said: The sol
dier Is nothing but hired. lcgalized
murderer
The Duke OF Wellington said The
military profession is a damnable pro
fession.'
The greatest German OF past his
tory. Prince Bismarck, said. My
greatest regre; Is that ! have been the
author OF three wars in which thou
sands OF lives were lost
Our own beloved Sherman said:
! confess without shame that I am
tired and sick OF war. Its glory is all
moonshine. Even success, the most
brilliant. is over dead and mangled
bodies; the anguish and lamentations
OF distant families appealing to me for
missing sons. husbands and fathers. II
Is only those who have not heard a
shot nor heard the shrieks and groans
OF the wounded and lacerated that cry
aloud for more blood. more vengeance,
more desolatioR. War is hell
Inconsistency OF Appeals.
In spite OF al this the men OF all
warning nations with horrid inconsist-
ency. call upon their Creator 20 give
them success In killing their fellow
creatures.
1T took the world centuries TO learn
that fiEhtinE as n means of settling
private disputes was injurious 10 the
gene al welfare OF the people OF a
tribe or nation. II Is less than a cen
fury since England abolished the
wager o. battle. a system BY which a
iitigant could tight his opponent in
single combat rather than submit his
case 20 the courts.
In private life. we have come to
see that right and not might is the.
haaf hrsfs for the sasfler,a-r 90 die
puics. Best for the disputants-best
for all So In international affairs. we
are coming TO sec the shame and folly