The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-03-09

- I 4, i -
~ special program and enter
ilninmsnf given By the Rock Island
5noete, No, We. Eagles, At the lodge
fho1Rs Tuesday night 70 honor $50
slnembers u the Aerie who served
tn the World war was successful
tovent. ~.
/ Impromptu receptions had been
held for the ex-service men as they
Sdrifted back TO their homes from
sthe lighting lines in France, but
tho 0fIicial honoring Of these men,
Ialong with Spanish and Civil war
Veterans Tuesday night proved an
opportunity for the presentation OF
an extraordinary program Promf-
nent speakers took advantage OF
the occasion to set forth their ideas
! Of the need for greater solidity on
the part Of the American people
and renewal Of the fires Of patriot
ism which have welded the coun-
try's citixenry in times Of past
need.
! The theories propounded by the
speakers were singularly alike. rel
sative to the need for reminding
sOf patriotism and the need for
sxreater coordination in preserving
american institutions and saving
America for Americans and. at the
same time, establishing better ways
TO handle immigration that the
country may hand pick" its future
tcitizens from other countries.
Il Il fine banquet was served. At
the speakers table, places Of honor
were given TO veterans Of the World,
Spanish and Civil wars. The hall
was decorated with flags, bunting
and colOred steamers. the latter
hung from the candelabra on the
ceiling, causing the room to be fill
ed with a varied glow Of color.
Music was furnished by Bleuer's
orchestra. Rev. F. J. Rolf, pastor
of the Evangelical Church OF Peace,
delivered the invocation.
President Sounds keynote.
E. c. Berry, president of the
aerie, presided as POSTMASTER, and
in opening remarks sounded the
keynote of the principles that were
later taken up and clearly empha-
sized by the various speakers.
Eliminating that the lodge had
waited over q year after the return
,of the last soldier member before
soficially honoring them, the toast
master declared:
Few men ever receive all that
Is probably their due in a financial
way, but every man deserving hon
or is honored. You ex-service meu
! were received by great plaudits as
Y you wended your way homewarC
a from the soil Of France, where you
fought to preserve the honor an(
integrity Of your country, but a.
months passed you were swallowe,
up in the ranks Of your fellow
citizens most of whom were no
privileged to serve their countr
a. you served it, and possible yo1
may have entertained the though
that you were being forgotten. W.
are gathered here tonight to recall
to you that American soldiers ar,
never forgotten. You World wa
veterans are yet young and few O
you are now in need of aid, but lie
me assure you taat when the tim,
comes when you do need aid sucf
will be given you in unstintet
measure"
Mayor Harry M. Schriver CAV,
D short address Of welcome. H,
followed the statements Of Presi
dent Berry by claiming his unwav
efing conviction that the nation
viii never forget its ex-servic
men.
uand Picked" Imnigrants.
Justice Floyd E. Thompson o
the Illinois supreme court was call
cd upon, and made q stirring ad
dress. MY confidence is suprem
that the memory Of the service o
you men will never grow cold an
that the country will ever care TO
you" he declared. However, tn
time has como when q new spiri
Of patriotism must be born. Their
was q time when any and all immi
grants were welcomed to thi
country to settle on its land. Mos