Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-06-20
HISTORIC PLACES
ARE RE:DEuCATED
Exercises Held lat Old Arsenal Build
ing, Davenport II Nme and Pier
OF the First. Bridge.
CENTENNIAL OPENING FEATURE
Judge BoIlinger Says Arsenal Stands
as Notice to Weird [. S. VIII
Uphold It's Rights.

With exercises of an impressive
nature three leading points of interest
at Rock Island arse>N were rededl-
Gated 10 generations of the future yes
terday afternoon as the final feature
of the opening of the centennial cele-
bration Of lhe tri-citieS. Meetings
were held successfully at the original
arsenal building at the west end Of
the island, at the site of the pier OF
the first bridge between the island and
the Iowa shore, and at the restored
home of Colnlel Davenport.
Judge ]. w Bollinger Of Davenport
was the main speaker at the dedica-
ton of the old arsenal structure. He
dwelt upon preparation for war and
declared that the arsenal stood as
notice to all who see it that the United
States is always ready to assert its
rights and these of humanity by force
| of arms, if necessary. He said in part:
| "A round century has now passed
! since our government appropriated
| this magnificent island for military
! purposes. To commemorate this cen
! tenary, is the design of our meetings
| this week. 1t is an occasion that in
spires everyone. You and l are asked
to participate in the exercise which
shall dedicate To the future this grand
old arsenal building to all the years
to come.
The patriots boast, where ere we
roam, his first best country is his
home. Some of you happily spent
your days in this great community,
Of which this island and this structure
are the center; some of you are doubt
| less home-comers returned to scenes
of former days. But here the hearts
of all are in unison. Little as we may
have known Of this building in its
actual uses, no one has ever lived in
this vicinity without the feelings of
those ttenderest of sentiments it has
thrown about US. Behold it. 1t stands
silent, majestic, and sublime, from its
tower tOlling the hours Of our lives,
throughout 81 the busy days and
through the long watches of every
night, never failing. Who is there
among US that has not heard it and
counted its faithful strokes? Who is
there that has not loved it as friend
When yonder clock strikes it reminds
us of our duties. Yes, it does more.
It brings hourly to our ears mes
sage OF security 'and protection from
! the government OF the flag which We
love.
C0nsecrated tO All America.
But this arsenal has more than a
local significance. Endeared as we
are to it, the citizens of no two states
can claim it, for it is consecrated to
all America This place was selected
as a site for an arsenal because it is
safe from all foreign invasion, how
ever mighty its cohorts may be, and
because this land is the choicest pearl
| in all that chain Of islands which the
Mississippi strings from ItasCa to the
gulf. Here it is, in times Of peace
quietly and indusrlously working for
| the defense of our country, which was
| built only TO preserve universal lib
| erty and justice on this earth. In
! times Of peril, this arsenal is to our
nation one Of its greatest sources Of
safety. In war alone it was recogniZ-
ed in the halls OF our nations senate
as being worth far more than all it
has ever cost.
Such is the institution Of which
this building is symbol Here is
stored against the needful day the
fruits Of those hives Of industry. This
old arsenal building is like nations
cathedral II is 3 monument in honor
Of the nations heroes who have gone
10 their mansions Ct rest. 1t is an
altar sacred to the living. from whence
come the divine truth as immortal "a
time that a government Of law and jus
ilce cannot perish. 1t is a token of
American determination that such a
government so founded should be eter-
nal.
Prays for Peace.
When We dedicate this structure,
we breathe the prayer that the clouds
OF war may never again gather above
us, and that the mists now perceptible
may soon dispense. If, however, it is
destined that our fate be otherwise,
this now historic structure and this
arsenal speak out the message TO all
the world that America can be and
will be prepared. This monument
stands proudly in our midst, for il is
a guaranty that our nation will defend
its honor and will fight when in the
right
The scroll Of the century is rolled
together Peace to the memory of the
fathers. Green be the graves where
sleep the warriors, patriots and sages
Calm be the resting place OF all the
brave and true Gentle be the sum