Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-21
centennial BODY
APPEALS TO VETS
Those Who Served in Civil War Asked
To Assist In State Celebra-
ton In 1918.
CIRCULARS ARE MAILED OUT
Heroes Of 81 Are Urged To Cooperate
In Programs 10 Be Arranged In
Various Cities.

AT the request Of the Illinois Cen
tennial commission, that the Grand I
Army OF the Republic and other Civil |
war veterans In the state Of Illinois /
take part In promoting a statewide /
observance Of the state centennial, !
the department of Illinois, Grand |
Army Of the Republic. appointed Com /
rades j II. CroWder. r. J. Ingersoll, |
w. c. Cochran, j. b lnman and ". F.
Calhoun, committee to confer with
the commission.
Pursuant to that arrangement the
committee submits the following cir
cular:
"The Illinois Centennial commission
has advised that the centennial year,
1918, should be fittingly observed
throughout the state and that every
county be organized and hold an ap-
propriate celebration; that during the
year different organizations and so
cleties should hold centennial meet
ings, and that reunions OF old sol
dIers and old settlers, with reminis-
cences of the past should be features
of county celebrations and In this
way impress the present generation
with It's debt of obligation to those
who have made possible the privileges
which we enjoy.
1.-THE Grand Army Of the Republic
and other Civil war veterans OF the
state stand high Ia the records Of
those who have wrought wonderfully
for the brilliant history of Illinois
Every Grand Army post should
promptly inaugurate plans to hold,
during the year, at least one reunion
IN observance of the states centen-
NAL year, either independently OF in
connection with its auxiliary and al
lied organizations, or in connection
with the general county celebration.
"In observance of the centennial
wear, there will be the following
events at Springfield, dates not yet
ixed) Dedication of Lincoln monu-
ment in state house grounds, soldiers
grand reunion in state fair week. and
laying cornerstone of the million
dollars centennial building. Every
comrade should prepare to attend
these events and if possible take part
the grand centennial parades con-
sected with them.
THE preservation Of the union has
never been so manifestly magnifed as
at the present time It's browning
glory is proclaimed in the fact that
without united country II would now
J 9 impossible for this nation TO en-,
gage in the present world-war for tht
liberty Of the world.
1.-THE sons of Illinois rushed into thu
war for the preservation OF the unioi
like flaming giant, not only in spiri
But in numbers. A number equal I,
"a per cent Of the total vote cast II
state in 1850 voluntarily enlisted
hey we're present and fought gal
lantly In every battle from Belmont
Mo, to Raleigh, N. c. Illinois gave t
the nation Abraham Lincoln, com
nlander-in-chief of the army and navy
Illinois not only gave to the natioi
Grant, the ablest general of the age
but in spite of doubters and objector
in high places, through brave heart
decisive argument Of bristling bayo
acts, made him commander-in-c @
all the union armies, II gave a scor
Of other successful commanders. Al
his when the state was only 43 year
old.
All Are Patriots.
Comrades, kind Providence ha
spared your lives to see the loot
year of our great state As you wei
A patriotic, prompt and enthusiastic /
volunteering to save the union, ma
the prominence your patriotism an
courage mas given you, in the state
history, be repeated in the part yo
snail take In celebrating, during Il
states centennial year. the histor
written by you on hundreds of battl
nelds during the war Of the rebellio
Respectfully,
81. H. Crowder, Bethany.
"E. J. Ingersoll, Carbondal
w. G. Cochran. Sullivan.
y. b. Inman, Springfield.
w +. Calhoun, Decatur.
Committee.
&C. s. Bentley,
Department Commander.