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October 16, 2004 Keyes fires up the faithful The Journal-Standard FREEPORT On a crisp fall day, hundreds gathered in the back parking lot of the Old Crum & Forster building, 524 W. Stephenson St., for a local stop of the statewide "United We Stand - Defending Marriage" tour. And the headliner was none other than Keyes, the former U.S. diplomat who moved to Illinois to accept the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate following the demise of Jack Ryan, amid a sex scandal. Keyes faces Democratic star Barack Obama, who is heavily favored to win in a race comprised of two black candidates - a first in Illinois history. Yet the Keyes faithful in Freeport, and elsewhere on the tour, seemed undaunted by polls showing Obama leading by as much as 40 percentage points; or by their candidate's prospects for winning the election. They turned out in force to hear Keyes' conservative message, which he delivered in his trademark fiery style, pacing the small platform like a Pentecostal preacher on a mission from Almighty God. "I wish to remind everyone in Illinois and around the country that (we) can't get rights without the Creator," he said, referring to the national gay and lesbian movement for the right to marry. "If there is no Creator there are no rights." The crowd cheered, and Keyes' voice crew louder, echoing off of the empty buildings and parking lot downtown. Keyes said the effort to legalize homosexual unions takes children out of the equation, not unlike abortion, which has eliminated children from sexual relationships. Those who want to extend the institution of marriage to same-sex couples, he said, are engaging in a "redefinition of marriage that excludes procreation." Earlier in the day, Keyes delivered a similar message in Rockford. The tour continues with additional stops today. Prior to Keyes' speech, a host of area speakers, including clergy, spoke at length about their opposition to homosexuality. As they spoke, Keyes listened politely for more than an hour, mingling with the crowd and quietly studying a small, worn Bible. Father Dean Smith, of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Stockton, was among those who spoke at the rally. "In the Catholic church, marriage is something that is between a man and a woman and it should stay that way," Smith said prior to the event. Mary Luecke of Freeport was among those who waited to hear Keyes while a small band belted out Gospel music and children played. Organizers handed out stickers, signs and bumper stickers promoting Keyes and the sanctity of marriage message. "We just support and respect his (Keyes) values," Luecke said. "They are our values." |
