The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-07-04
obey Law,
IsPERSAING 5 ;
plea TO US.
Nudes Indirectly to Her.
rim Horror in Marion
Speech.

Marion, Ohio, July 4.-The spirit
= pstriotic Americanism that made
ron and women by the millions"
pek opportunity to serve the ma
|lIpn during the war was invoked by
6eneral Pershing today, speaking
y Narion's centennial celebration,
. combat the present dangerous
tndency toward disobedience to
~"
Moral standards have become
4naterially weakened" he said.
Esand the criminal elements Of So
*dety are less cautious in their ac-
EtSities. It is time for all citizens
/ r cherish our heritage Of free gov
|enment to assert themselves and
Edy out against lawlessness and
hmorality. We must stand for
tfompt enforcement Of the law, or
pncede that our government is q
Fhllure."
Speaking of the signs of relaxed
tsndards, General Pershing said
ArUnder the constitution every
N Is guaranteed the right to live,
TOY liberty and pursue happiness
1T there are those who defy these
enarantees and seek to deprive
Epfhers Of these sacred privileges.
Need Positive Action.
NUharo vuhol> ccrucvu{t}o. on.c
~ sympathize with ruthless mur.
der Of inoffensive people in the ex-
|ercises Of the right to earn a liveli-
hood, and where wholesale murder
goes unpunished, 1t is imperative
that public opinion should demand
that the strong arm OF the law, IN
der fearless officials, take positive
hction. Overt and inexcusAble acts
~ this character mot only debase
6e participants. but lower the
whole moral fabric of the nation
and strike at the very existence OF
self government"
General Pershing also dealt with
the question of military prepared
ness and the merchant marine. OF
the former he said:
Hits ~Blatant Pacifist.n
The voice Of the blatant pacifist
Is again heard in the land. The un-
reasoning, unthinking and those
who will not learn from experience
continue to advocate the theory that
complete disarmament will prevent
war. In the knowledge that our
army is of the people, and in the
lace of the loss Of life and the cost
IN money that we ourselves have
recently withstood, as a result OF
neglect Of the most feeble prepara-
uon, they pronounce against any
sort OF military training or prelim-
mary organization, and would so
reduce as to make expansion i'm
possible within any reasonable per-
iod and possibly again compel the
enormous expenditure Of life and
ueasure under which the country
% suffering today.
Il venture to say that few, If any,
u those who would destroy our
mall army and navy in times OF
peace were found in the ranks with
nose brave and patriotic men who
fought to destroy the armies of our
enemies on the field of battle"
VI the need for an American mer,
cnant marine General Pershing
said:
Boosts Merchant Marine.
Those who oppose the policy OF
lving aid to an American mer-
snant marine are working against
!ne best interests of their country
e which action they are without
ssouot strongly supported by the
vents OF every well developed
aaritlme power. We have sea
nAde and We are becoming more
"a more dependent upon it"
~ conclusion, General Pershing
~ the nation "is sound of heart"
~ that individuals too often neg.
neted to give serious thought to
natters of grave national import.
Let US openly fight against those
M tendencies. often insidiously
sepported by propaganda, which II
esiected must eventually under
snine and destroy u.s." he said. "As
~ me early days Of the nation,
pteinal vigilance In ever the price