The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-04-22
Eloquent Expression OF Appreciation
Of What That Order Has Done
During War for Pat
rlotism.
TRIBUTE TO SOLDIERS
keoeuk Veteran Of Spanish War
Makes an Address That Was
Loudly AppIauded by
Audience.

I! In introducing the orator Of the
Victory Liberty loan campaign last
evening, from the porch OF the Elks'
club, w. G. Blood. veteran of the
Spanish war, was loudly and fre-
euently applauded as hs said:
This place will 90 down into the
history OF Keokuk as one of our most
historic spots. Whether Sixth and
Blondeau streets shall ever be mark
FED with any other monument than
the beautiful home of this institution
that has in these recent years grown
so dear TO the hearts Of our Keokuk
boys and through them dear to the
hearts Of all of US, yet this will al
ways be remembered as the place
whence time after time the members
Ios the ,Elks went forth TO speed the
departing recruit
Regardless of the conditions, win
ter and summer, cold and hot, early
and late, rain and shine, they were
ALWAYS there. Whether the enlisted
men were few or many, whether they
were white or black, on every occa-
real patriotism that can never be for
gotten.
Where Keotsuk Gathered Together.
This place will also be remembered
by us because Of the great patriotic
gatherings that eliminated here dur
ing the asst two years. Bond drives,
Red Cross parades, war activities OF
every kind viii always be associated
In the minds of keokuk people with
this block.
am not a member Of this great
order and so / speak the more freely.
II but express the feelings OF every
man, woman and child here when |
say that we are all Of us indebted to
the Elks and want to express to
them our heartiest appreciation of
the patriotic example they have
given US during this great war. Their
members, old and young. rich and
poor, of different grades of society
and politics and religion and race
have united here, as they united In
carrying their beautiful big flag with
the flags OF all our allies, in doing
honor to our country and our coun-
try's flag.
Great Days are There.
America is happy and proud and
hopeful tonight. We have done our
part thus far In helping to bring
peaca and order out of the awful
strife and chaos that has for oflong
stunned a war weary world. But the
end is not yet. The task must be
completed. This America will help
to do.
Great az are these days when we
are welcoming home our boys who
have yentured so far and so much for
us, yet still greater is that day when
soldier and civilian together can
write the word 'tf1nis" TO this epoch.
The problems at home and abroad
are stupendous indeed, and America
must stand steady and united and
faithful to her great mission.
We sometimes hear 1t said that
patriotism is dying out in this coun-
try. but at times like this-great test
ing times-we know that this is not
true-that we still love our flag, Sill
love our country and that patriotism
Is still ours; that this beloved bunt-
ing today on land and sea still stands
and stands united, mistaken and
unafraid, In all these troublous times
for the peace, the prosperity and the
progress OF the whole world.
Mothers and Wives.
And SO here, where the mothers
and wives so sadly, and yet so brave
.Iy and hopefully bid goodbye to their
departing boys, we joyfully and
proudly and just as hopefully wei
come them back again-not forgetful
of those whose return is yet delayed,
nor Of those returned bruised mad
manned by their great adventure,
nor of those two score odd whose
heroic deeds are deathless, and
whose sacrifice can only be satisfied
by a. full measure OF our devotion
now.
The sinister and vicious iassitude
of supine and easy peace and let
ting down in our duty will not be
tolerated. But as they have on the
fields of France and Europe made the
supreme sacri1ce, we here must be
willing to do all that we can to make
that sacrifice worth while.
So az we welcome back to civil
life cur brave boys of this great war,
will we here unite with them TO fight
This fight to the fnish-and to keep
the faith for which those other boys
have died