Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-07-04

the shores of our native land, but let
US devoutly make up our minds to do
our duty in events that may happen
TO us. Let US cherish genuine patriot
ism. In that, there is a sort of in
spiratiOn that gives strength and
energy almost more than human.
Calls for Spirit of '76.
when the mind is attached to a
great object, it grows to the magni-
tude of its undertaking. A true pat
riot with his mind and his heart on
the honor and happiness Of his coun-
try, hath an elevation of soul that lifts
him above the rank Of ordinary men.
To common occurrences he is indif-
ferent. Personal considerations dwin-
die into nothing in comparison with his
high sense of public duty. In all the
vicissitudes Of fortune, he leans with
pleasure on the protection of PrOvi-
dence and on the dignity and com
posture of his own mind. While his
country enjoys peace, he rejoices and
is thankful; and if it be in the coun-
sci of heaven to send the storm and
the tempest his bosom proudly swells
against the rage that assaults it.
Above fear, above danger, he feels that
the last end which can happen to any
man never comes too soon if he falls
in defense of the laws and liberties of
his country.
LAS the patriots Of 76 did to the
support of the Declaration Of indie
pendence, Sc to the support of the
constitution and laws let every Amer
lean, every lover of liberty, every
weIl-wisher to his posterity pledge his
life, his property and his sacred hon
or. Let us give thanks that we have
a man at the head Of our nation who
each morning seeks divine guidance
in his direction of the affairs of state.
Let US remember the precious blood
that has been spilled to give US what
we have. Let us with Lincoln here
highly resolve that these dead shall
not have died in vain; that this ma
ton. under God, shall have new
birth OF freedom; and that the govern
ment of the people, by the people and
for the people, shall not perish from
the earth
Wenger in Afternoon.
This afternoon George c. Wenger,
Rock Island, gave the address. He
said in part: THE centennial recently
held at the Rock Island arsenal among
other things, brought to our attention
that with all our development as
state. practically all base been done in
built 100 years ago, a different race OF
people roamed this valley and lived
in scattered settlements and the white
men were few compared to the vast
area OF the territory, although two
wears later Illinois was admitted 10
the union as a state, having been be
fore carved out of the Northwest ter
ritory. The well known ordinance OF
1887 gave this Northwest territory
TEMPORARY government and provided
that no less than three and not more
than five states shall be formed IN
said territory. Illinois was the west
ern portion and its western, southern
and eastern boundaries are now the
same as was fixed in that ordinance,
the northern boundary having been
changed to provide for another state,
wisconsin. This ordinance gave the
territory many good fundamental laws,
some OF which are nearly the same
now. Among these, were the freedom
of worship, right of trial by jury, bene-
FITS Of writs of habeas corpus, and
private property not TO be taken for
public use. without full compensation.
II provided for rules of descent of
property and prohibited slavery. The
influence and standing for right prln-
ciples by the few men who drafted
these laws, manifested their wisdom,
when nearly a hundred years later, We
helped fight for those principles and
helped TO preserve the union for what
would have been the result had not
Illinois. Indiana, Ohio, Michigan ana
wisconsin been anti-slaveryg
THE men who came into this val
ley 100 years ago TO settle and build