Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1917-04-08
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HAPPY REUNION
Of FELLOWSHIP

cessful picnics ever given by the or
ganization was the one held yesterday
at Papago park. by the members of the
Illinois Society The day was ideal
for such an event and was proclaimed
more so by comparison with the usual
weather at this time of the year in the
state the members hail from Auto
cOnveyanceS began leaving the school
grounds opposite the postoffice shortly
after 10 O'clock and continued till after
IL. Hundreds found their way out to
the picnic grounds in their own con-
veyances. BY / o'clock the aroma of
the famous Greene made coffee filled
the air, which was the signal to spread
the good things to eat, such as only
Illinois women know how to make. The
tables and seats so generously left at
the park by the Shrine Temple We're
utilized, and it was a glorious sight to
see the heavily laden tables surrounded
by former Illinoisans ranging in age
from a babe in arms to an old grizzled
war veteran who was SO years young
buSily occupied in the art of table-fin-
ishing.
After the inner man was fully salts
fled, President Pinney called the
meeting to order for the formal part of
the program, which was started most
appropriately by singing the Star
Spangled Banner. Old Glory was much
in evidence, waving proudly from a
flag-pole erected for the occasion and
draped as well against the huge rocks
After the singing, Andrew Downing
the poet laureate of the society, read
an original poem written by him for
the occasion, as follows:
BY Andrew Downing
We love the Old Home Country
SO small in her beginnings,
But now so proudly great;
So rich in her resources,
So fertile in her soil,
So grand in her achievements
Or enterprise and toll,
Fair land of wood and prairie
Green wales and orchard slopes,
OF fields well titled and dreams fulfilled
Beyond her fondest hopes!
While yet unknown and trackless,
Twas her good fortune then
To take the name of Illini-
race of noble men,
And men alert and able,
Reliant, unafraid.
Progressive and far-seeing
Her history have made
They built a civic structure
On Freedom broadly based,
With every right safe guarded quite,
And not a stone misplaced
They bridged her mighty rivers,
Made white her lake with sails,
And spun across her landscapes
A spiders web of rails
Where late the earth resounded
Unto the bisms tread
And strung thereon great cities,
Like jewels on q thread.
Her many million acres
Were changed to fruitful farms.
With pleasant roads and fair abodes
Replete with rural charms.
Her wealth has brought her leisure
For travel culture art,
And all their allied treasures
Dear to a peoples heart.
Her colleges are famous,
Her common schools the best;
And everywhere her churches
The higher life attest
She rallies round "Old Glory,
When wars loud challenge rings
Has little use and small excuse,
For kaisers and for kings
With what acclaim the HOLSTERS"
Their commonwealth may toast;
However loud the "Hawkeyes''
Their splendid state may boast:
While yet to "Old Missouri
Must fan some choice bouquets.
The homeland of the Suckers"
Still wears the greenest bays
And were not Arizona
My home, my pride, my joy,
I'd pack my kit at once and hit
The trail to Illinois,
Patriots of Illinois
At about this point Governor and