Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-08-01
HOLD PATRIOTIC
GATHERING WITH
WIN WAR SPIRIT
rounty Officials Of Illinois Hear
RouSiug Address Launched
with True Americanism.
PRONOUNCE MEET A SUCCESS
candidates 10 the United States
Senate Drop Politics for Time
in Speeches.

Patriotism, embodied in a we
must win the war" spirit. predom-
mated as the overwhelming senti-
ment Of approximately four hun
sred delegates to the convention OF
he Two state associations eff coun-
r. officials at a dinner given last
erening al $50 al the Masonic
temple.
II was the keynote of every
speech OF the evening. despite the
fsc, that politicians were plentiful
81 the banquet board and on the
sneakers list. Congressman George
F5muud Foss and MediIl McCor-
mick. candidate for the Republican
nomination for the United States
senate. drove home to the audience
in eloquent terms the fact that the
war must be won regardless of
cost Both Of the candidates re
Trained from delving into
politics and talked straight
.o-wardly upon the subject sug-
eestei 10 them by the committee in
charge. the war. William B. McIr-
throughout the length of his talk
However. q serious vein threaded
his discourse. and he carried his
hearers with him in closing with a
powerful appeal TO patriotism. Dr.
u. F. TAYLOR. east end county food
administrator. concluded the pro-
gram of speeches His talk was in
earnest support OF the sentiment of
the evening.
Spice during the meeting was
afforded by the Introductory re-
marks Of States Attorney Floyd f.
Thompson. who acted as toastmas-
ter Good natured raiIlery upon
political affiliations marked each
Introduction. those Of opposing po-
litical party being jestingly scored
much to the amusement of the
company. In introducing Con-
gresham FOss. the first to speak
following the dinner, Mr.. Thomp-
son referred 20 him as the Daddy
Of the American navy" adding that
the senator must in consequence be
some daddy"
FOSs Speaker.
Mr.. FOss was received with ap-
plause as he arose to speak. Be
ginning by briefly and humorously
retorting to the good natured digs
BY POSTMASTER Thompson, he at
once cast aside politics by stat
ing that we are in the midst of
q great war. war greater and
more titantic than has ever been
recorded in the history of all man
kind"
We must devote ourselves 10
war" he continued. Life will not
be worth living unless we are vic
torious. This war was forced upon
Us by q mighty. war-mad nation.
We. in going into this gigantic
struggle, have placed all the obi
gation-the full burden upon tn :
country who instigated it-GeI-
many. Broken promises. acts and
deeds OF vandalism and lust for
power began the conflagration
which now threatens to consume
civilization and the world. We
must fight TO the bitter end TO
maintain our honor and in defense
Of our rights. Our resources must
be devoted 10 the last dollar an |
the last man 10 the winning OF
this war.
We were not prepared for war.
We were a peace loving people who
abh0rred the thought of strife.
Our army numbered but 100, 900
men but We did have a navy. Our
navy accomplished wonderful
Work, and has a fine record of
q chlevement. But in turning this
great nation into a vast army camp
and IN the huge preparations for a
long war. there has been waste ana
extravaganza. aye, but wonderful
progress. regardless.
We have great military lead
ers and they have not failed US
when they were needed. They
have been men of deeds not words.
but upon occasion have uttered
simple sentences that have rung
around the world. General Per-
snlng, true TO the tradition of
great American leaders such as
Grant, Perry. Dewey and others,
When al the head of Americas first
lew troops 10 land in France i'm
medlately proceeded to the statue
ana tomb OF Lafayette AS he knelt
there il was a wonderful moment,
hitting for a great orator. Per
shing, kneeling there, soldier, doer
OF deeds, not an orator, rose glOr-
lously to the occasion and in a
simple sentence. more beautiful
and full OF significance than the
Iengthiestand most eloquent OF
oFatons, said Lafayette, we are
here
Our boys are lighting in Elan
ueFs now, shoulder to shoulder
Win the sires Of Lafayette, paying
america S debt. Isn't it particu-
iar.y fitting that the sons OF Amer
lea should battle in the same cause
SIDE by side with the men Of Eng
land. her mother, and France her
sister,
Three things, men, munitions
ana money, are vitality necessary
70 win this war. II is far better
mat our last man must go than
We should be ground under the
heel and tyranny Of Germany
Back Of the boys TO lend them con-
Hcence. we must have a united
spirit We must mobilize a great
spirit, an indimiuitable will 10 win
and We viii win The spirit OF
our army is magnificent. II is the
same old spirit Of 81 and 70
What We need is d realization
mat We are one people, and there
L only one flag and one cause for
which We are fighting. think