Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-09-19

not make good American citizens. But
the United States does demand your
real support and cooperation. in a
word. your undivided and answering
allegiance and loyalty.
Every Man q King.
Americans have the greatest of
sympathy for the nations now at war.
The people Of those countries have
been thrown into the great conflict
without their consent in order to graf
ify the ambitions of their rulers for
more power. Here we have no king
to dictate to us. Every man is king
and every woman queen: every in
diViduaI is 4. ruler
Need / tell Won of the great bless
iugs which our form Of government
ConfeUs2 Here you have a right to
vote You have part in the affairs
Of the nation. This great power
should he used intelligently. You
should attempt to understand the is
sues which are presented and should
inquire into the ability and character
of men running for Office.
Our public school system offers
your children a fine opportunity to adj
vance. Under our laws every man has
an equal right before the law, What
a fine thing that is and how different
cameo That does not mean that each
man has equal ability or the same
amount of money but it does mean
that there is equality Of opportunity,
so that it is up to you to make the best
Of the chance that is given you"
Mr.. Thompson traced briefly the
history Of this country from the time
the hardy Pilgrims landed on these
shores to the present. He showed that
during the many crises through which
this country had passed, Gods guiding
hand could be plainly seen and he
plead that this nation remain faithful
to the highest ideals in order that the
protection of Deity would continue to
be given.
In closing Mr.. Thompson, in refer
ring to Europe, said: Ancient sys-
TENS are falling; works reared by
ages are crumbling into atoms; lives,
families. homes are being sacrificed.
Let US humbIy implOre heaven that the
wide-spreading desOIation may never
reach the shores Of this land,
but let US devoutly make up our minds
to do our duty in events that may hap
pen to us. Let US cherish genuine
patriotism. In that there is a sort Of
inspiration that gives strength and
energy almost more than human.
When the mind is attached to a great
object. it grows TO the magnitude OF
its undertaking. A true patriot with
his mind and his heart On the honor
and happiness Of his country, hath an
elevation Of soul that lifts him above
the rank Of ordinary men.
.As the patriots of '76 came to the
support of the declaration OF 1ndepend-
ence. so to the constitution and laws
let every American, every lover of lib
L, vx,l (. &c Y.r,g rag-f fxyl
pledge his life, his property and his
sacred honor. Let us give thanks that
we have a man at the head of our ma
tion who each morning seeks divine
guidance in his direction Of the affairs
of state 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 government
Of the people. by the people and for
the people, shall not perish from the
earth"
During the evening the Svea male
quartet. Moline. sang several patriotic
songs in a pleasing manner. They
gave The Star Spangled Banner" IL
Illinois" Red. White and Blue, Com
rades in Arms" and America the
audience joining in the closing num-
Der.
The EIke were commended by Judge
Ramsay at the close of the program
for the interesting and helpful eXer-
cises and he expressed his nope that
the unique custom which the local or
der has started, be adopted in every
court in the country when applicants
for naturalization are being exam
med.
Ninefy-fWO in Group.
There are % in the class seeking
naturalization. 40 Of whom come from
Belgium while Russia and Sweden are
next with 10 each. There arc three
women asking 10 become citizens 81