The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-01-19

! ~ was un-Amerlcan In the extreme to
spread broadcast the reports that the
United States was q weakling He
pointed out what the country had
done IN the past when European foes
beset 1t and predicted that red blood.
ed Americanism would do the same
In the future II foreign power should
attack US.
Three Causes Of Prosperity.
| In opening his address, Mr.. Nc
Manus stated that the country's pros
perity was due to three causes, name
ly: the prosperity of the farmers. the
railroads, and the steel and iron in.
dustries. He said that six billion dol
lars had been taken out of the soil
in 1915 in the United States.
He said that during the last decade.
the country had seen an era of re-
form. The people were becoming dis.
| satisfied with the rule of corrupt cor
porations which had perverted the in.
dustrial life of the country, and had
risen against them with amazing re-
suits. A great deal Of legislation had
been aimed at corruption also. The
country was described as being on a
purer basis.
The railroads. he said, had come
in for their share Of the hard knocks.
but because Of this were now able
along with the rest of the country in
their rejuvinated condition. The
speaker called attention to the great
revival in the iron and steel indus
try, due largely to the impetus from
the European war. The outlook for
prosperity in 1916, the speaker said.
was better than 1915,
Should Keep Out Of War.
He said that one thing that would
prevent prosperity would be participa-
ton in the war. "The United States"
Mr.. McManus said, Should be abso-
lutely neutral. This not only applies
to the government but to every Amer
lean citizen. The people Of this coun-
try are too apt to judge the motives
of an individual or people without
a sufficient knowledge Of them. The
tendency in this country is toward
race and sect and the result Of this
is prejudice. Suspicion of our fellow
men should have no place in our ma
tional life. Because some fanatic uses
a bomb, or some misguided patriot
dict whole race Of people, no mat
ter Of what nationality he is. We
have no place for this suspicion and
prejudice under the stars and stripes.
There is tendency in this coun-
try to deprecate the ability of the
United States to defend herself. The
especially the yellow
ones, have been in part, responsible !
for this, and also those persons whose |
claim to patriotism is questionable |
They advertise 10 the world that the !!
United States is a weak, overgrown |
paltroon; buffer, who would be an |
easy prey.
No False Security
while we should not be lulled into J
an idea of false security, we have a /
right to know that we have some !
claim to be able to defend ourselves"
The speaker cited the attempts of |
England to subdue this country in I
1872 and how the citizens arose and /
irove them into the sea- He said ,
hat he believed that should the time
come when a foreign despot should !.
attempt to spread his dominion Of
tyranny on the United States that the
same thing would happen again. He
lid not belittle the necessity of prepa-
alton for defense, but said that the
United States should make such prep
,rations as were necessary.
The Committees Named.
The committees for the coming six
months were appointed by President
R. r. Ralston at the ineeling last 7
,ight. The standing committees
.amed were the following:
Ei,tertainmey t. Wills an n Ee,-
ledy. J. J. Miley and A. G. Morgan.
House-V. o. Stafford, Arthur Muir
ay and Paul King.
Membership-Dan Harrington. A.
). Nichols and w. g. Ainsley.
A special committee which will
ook after the matter Of contracts
With a boat company for the annual
given by the club was