Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-05-14
TURNER'S AFFIRM
LOYALTY TO FLAG
AT MEETING HERE
DELEGATES TO UPPER MiSSiSSlP.
PI CONVENTION APPLAUD OLD
GLORY AND ANNOUNCE LOYAL
TY AT SID ANNUAL CONvEN-
TON.
(By o. J. CHRISTMANND

The convention of the Upper Mis-
sissippi Turn Bezirk, which convened
in this city Saturday and Sunday
was an important event for the Turn
society of this city. The meeting was
called to order Saturday evening by
Alfred Haas, of Holstein, la, and was
opened with the singing of America"
The hall was prettily decorated with
festoons or red, white and blue, and
at each end of the hall hung a huge
U. s. flag.
Just after the singing of the nation
al anthem, Mayor Bradford was intro
luced by Charles Metzger Mayor
Bradford. in few we'll chosen words,
welcomed the delegates, and handed
them the official key to the city This
brought forth tremendous applause
and cheering
The executive committee was rep.
resented by Alfred Haas, chairman
W. f, Zeman, secretary, and George
Hegele, turnwart, all of Holsten, Ia
The delegates represented the Daven-
port Turngemeinde, Northwest Daven-
port, East Davenport, Holstein. FL
dredge, Burlington, Muscatine, Clin-
ton, Keystone, Durant, all of Iowa, and
Rock Island, Moline and Ottawa, of
this state. The emporary officers
were made permanent and consisted
of Charles J. Metzger, Ottawa, speak
err and H. Vollmer, of Davenport,
secretary.
Speaker Metzger upon taking the
chair addressed the convention and
called the welcome to the city of Of
tawa. Following came the report of
the district officers In his report,
Mr.. Haas, the district president, said
in part:
"To the delegates of the SD. con.
venticn Of the Upper Mississippi Turn
District:
Gut He'll Another year has rolled
around since our last meeting and we
have gathered together again in this
beautiful city of Ottawa to hear the
reports of our accomplishment of the
IN, lyo ,,1a fap ba
new and by personal contract and mu
tual interchange of IDEAS, to renew
our courage and obtain larger vision
Of the future
I'VE are passing through the most
critical period of our existence. We
are assailed by enemies from with
out and betrayed by a spirit of apathy
from within, but lam also proud tC
say that ! believe without question
that there are more than enough
among us who still possess the true
Turner's spirit, indt dauntless courage
Of our predecessors which will carry
us through the crisis and we shal
| live to see the day when the prn
cples for which we stand shall be
| generally recognized and the pioneer
work of the North American Gym
nastic Union shall bear its full fruit.
"Thus you see am an optimist
am a firm believed in that old adagt
Truth Crushed to Earth Shall Rise
/ Again am firmly convinced tha
the fundamental principles upol
which we stand are sound that th'
world has need for us The nccessit,
for physical training is becomnl
more and more recognized the thni
we aim for: "A Sound Mind in I
Sound Body The system we stan,
for. that of all around development
as against specialization, system Il
which all take part. not only the fey
who are already endowed by natur
with moro than ordinary physiCa
strength.
"Our forefathers who began thi
movement in this country should hav
great cerdit for that they have dont
II has been handed down to us ar
we going to be true TO our trust an
carry on thsi noble work? Are W
going to see to 1t that the principle
of our beloved society Is going to Il
come part of the warp and wood {
the new American life? Let us no
make solemn vow that we will h
true to our trust Like the martyrs {
history, who freely gave their lives I
uphold what they believed TO be tn
truth, let us not only be willing to iii
for It, let us be willing to live an
,..t la .sIt, tlft