Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-09-16
TELLS FOREIGN
BORN OF GLORY
OF CITIZENSHIP
Head Consul 1. r. Talbot ExtOls
Privilege of Being American
for America.

a conception Of a larger vision. an
understanding of the responsible
ties and privileges of those who
take the oath of allegiance to the
stars and stripes" said Head Con-
sui A. r. Talbot of the Modern
Woodmcn of America, in an adj
dress last evening before 1T ap-
plicants for final naturalization
papers, who, with their wives,
friends and interested citizens,
made an audience that taxed the
capacity of the circuit court room
OF the court house.
1T is not the physical attitude
of raising your hand and swear
ing to renounce allegiance to your
former government that will make
you good citizens" Mr.. Talbot said.
1T is your attitude Of mind and OF
heart. You must really feel that
tRis is your country, your home,
-FOUR government, for you viii now
have a partnership in all the things
that go to make this the greatest
government on the face of Gods
earth. To me. piano is merely
piece of furniture. 1t represents
so much money invested in a par
lOr ornament; but let that young
lady sit down to l. and begin 10
play, and it is hers. more hers
than mine. because she possesses
the musical soul for which the
piano furnishes the complement,
and together they produce the mel
ody that gladden3 your heart and
mine. SO must you possess and
apply the machinery of our com
mon government if it is to be re-
ally yours"
The speaker then launched into
a mastery description Of the Unit
ed States constitution and the
meaning Of American citizenship,
outlining the functions of our ma
t?6pal government in terms that
the new citizens could readily un-
dcrstand and appreciate, closing
with an eloquent peroration that
aroused his audience to a hign
pitch Of enthusiasm.
Harder Talks.
The address was the climax of
a patriotic program provided by
independence camp. No. %, Mod
ern Woodmen of America, in con-
nectiOn with the naturalization OF
applicants who are taking their
examinations for final citizenship
papers at the September term of
the circuit court Following an
invocation by Rev. c. Parmeter Of
the Second Congregational church
Of Moline. Chairman Marx Harder
extended a welcome to the guests,
expressing the pleasure of indie
pendenCe camp in being permitted
to present the program OF the eV-
ening He explained that Judge
i. c. Graves. who had expected to /
preside in his official capacity, had /
been suddenly called away anc /
was unable to be present. He eX- (
horted the citizens-tO-be to live up .
to the idea expressed in the last !
syllable of the word American, !
maintaining that the nation had |
demonstrated the power OF that !
last syllable can" throughout all ,
the brilliant pages of its history, |
particularly in its wonderful /
achievements during the great war. I
He, then introduced the ukulele /
aextet. composed Of the Misses |
charlotte Bauman, Mabel Ander-
son. Agnes MeinCke, Helen Peter
son. Linda Nelson and Ethel ia J
cobson, who gave a delightful rem /
dftiOn of several popular airs and /
graciOusly responded to an encore:
A most eloquent and helpful I
message from Uncle Sam was
then delivered by Hon. George
Mackay of Chicago, naturalization /
examiner. who is here to conduct
the examinations of the applicants
for papers. ,,
Your meat costs you a little
more today than it used to-" said .
the speaker. 1t is the same with /
the goods you buy from the tailor,
the milliner. and others who cater
to the necessities of life. That IS
because they are worth more IN
der the prevailing market condl-
lions. American citizenship, too, IS
worth more now than ever before,
because it has cost more
He then proceeded to point out
the reasons that had led the pres
ent applicants to leave foreign
shores and make their homes in
this country. praising them be- J
cause they came, not only for the
sake of the increased comforts
Nsev could earn under the stars
and stripes. but also for the homes
thew could establish here for them
selves, their children, and their
children's children They had dem
onstrated this to be their purpose
by deciding to become full-dedged
American citizens. he said. and not
fleeing back to Europe after they
had accumulated a competency to
enable them to live in ease the re
mainder of their lives. He then
referred eloquently to the exam
pies of patriotism afforded by the
lives of great Americans, who had
freely given up all in defense Of ,,
the principles for which this gov
eminent ltands.
Price of Citizenship.
Abiding to the millions who had
answered their country's call dur
ing the late war, he proclaimed
that the best way to honor the ]
American soldier who is now gone ]
and is vet to go back to civil life {
is by loyalty upholding the princi-
ples of liberty and freedom for ]
which he fought. That, he said.
would be our best tribute-better !
than public acclaim. cash rewards, 5
or political pTeferment. BE true
to YOUR country, be true to your '
flag" he exhorted, in closing, but s
at the same time be true to John. !
and jim. and Bill, your next door !
neighbOrs. On behalf of the Unit !
Cd States government. l welcome {