Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-09-05
DRAFTED MENARE
GIVEN A SENDOFF
Moline Boys Who win soon Be Wear
ing Uncle Sans Uniform are
Entertained at Club.

me fLUE LAEE evening w A4A G& az + %AAAAAA
the duties Of American soldiers with a
clearer conception of the principles
for which this country is fighting a
new and Iofuer purpose and with the
knowledge that Moline IS soIidly be-
hind them. If there were any men who
went to the soiree last evening dis
satisfied with their lot in having been
selected to protect Old Glory from
the tyranny OF a despotic ruler who
believes ne is endowed with divine
right to rule the world, they surely
must have had q different conception
after hearing the inspiring talks or
Rev. r. Wilbur Babcock, DR. w. E.
TAYLOR and Mayor NJ R. Carlson
You men are honored, declared
Rev. Mr.. Babcock, the chief speaker OF
the evening. con your shoulders Will
rest the destiny Of all We hold dear.
You have been selected TO detend the
flag because YOU are most worthy, be-
cause you are most capable. and II Is
a signal honor.
You are going into this war, not be-
cauee Uncle Sam became angry al
Germany: decision was reached 20 en-
Ter this war after cool. clear consId-
Grafton. It was not because Germany
violated all the sacred treaties. not
because the Germans fred on OId
Glory. not because the German mon
STEERS Of the sea sunk our ships, not be
cause agents OF the kaiser invaded this
country and plotted TO destroy our IN
dustries aud dismember our entire
country. It was not until we saw that
the purpose of Germany was 70 sweep
the European nations of land ana sea
and collect indemnity from the richest
country In the world that the United
states interfered. Germany promised
and boosted that after sweeping the
British from the high seas she would
send troops TO the United States and
law it waste. Germany has no respect
tor God, man or the devil and now she
is Offering the excuse that this gigau-
tie war was a matter Of military neces-
sity
"If YOU men were not called TO fight
the Germans on European soil II
would not be long until you would be
fghttug hem on American soil. de-
c7ared the speaker. Germany made
the boast that he troops would take
Paris in three DAYS, London in three
weeks and invade the United States in
three months. That is surely what
would have happened had it not been
/ for the courage of the French lighters
II love mv wife and my children as
every man does" said the speaker IN
conclusion THAT flag stands for
? everything that 1 hold dear. I am
4 turning that flag over 10 you men 90
protect, and I am asking You 10 carry
that symbol of freedom. purity and de-
moCTacy with joy ana g3adness. am
turning it over to YOU knowing that
you viii carry il with honor Ihat nag
! has q grand past, but lt mas more
glorious future Every act or honor
/ every act Of courage by you casts
( glory on the flag. Every act of COW
I ardlce. every act Of shame. every act
Of dlshonor reflects d1shouoF on H.
+ Like the Spartan mother who told her
son IS he started on 70 war carrying
+ Tie flag: Come back with il or on IT. |
would rather see that nag wrapped
around you and your body lowered
into the grave than 10 see that flag
+ came back dishonored without VIC
J tory.
ut =" T. 4agioT1 master Of Cere-
/ MONIES gave WohaeIldiiE ihSpl ny
/ talk to the ooEs with ms c1afac1eFis IS
+ lie 1orcef0lness thaL must nave MADE
them feel deeper respect Tor then-
/ selves and Tor lhelF country ApoFe
AL, ne adnonlsned lnefh 20 Keep tHeh1-
. 4s- - --.'+-t ~+~-@
Less imam per cent OF tne soldieEa
/ 10 the trenches are Killed by the en-
/ emy's fire. ne declared. Keep your
+ minds clear ana your bodies clean, ana
! remember that you are men big
enough to live above immoral things
Avoid the things that Weakens your
/ HentalltE, FeeAs your poole8 Wlth VIC
. 1ous assesses ana taxes you 10 an IN
mature grave Conduct yourselves Sc
! that you VIII return strong IN mind
and body and you VIII ne more useful
( citizens than when you went away
( And when you do return you viii be
/ given the grandest reception the world
! has ever known"
/ Mayor Carlson wished the boys God
/ speed on behalf OF the citizens OF Mo-