The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-06-08
THE CELEBRATION.

We hope our nelghDor OF tne o"'
is not laboring to defeat q genuine uh'
ion celebration on the 4th of july pus
his course certainly indicates such conciu-
sion. His patronizing, dictatorlal and fauit-
finding airs are offensive and not calculated
to produce union and harmony. 1t is not
nossibls 20 produce union, good feeling and
harmony By talk of being willing to forgive
marty which Mr.. lincoln declared to be loyal
and natriotic. Sneers and insinuations and
natronizing airs towards opponents are nos
likely to produce union and harmony and EN-
oient action. Questioning the loyalty OF
his neiphbors. establishing tests, constituting
himself the final arbiter and Judge. graolous'
" Offering, under certain reservations. 20 1or-
give his political opponents, and baptise them,
is nos, in our opinion, calculated to AID In
producing such state of public feeling as
will ensure a successful celebration. The
democracy have done nothing to regret. and
ask no forgiveness. Proud of their devotion
to the Union and the Constitution, from the
days of Jefferson to the present hour, they
have shown a devotion to both which no 9TH
or party can equal.
But this is not the place to discuss past diff
fsrences of opinion; nor have we, IN conneo-
ton with the proposed celebration, made any
allusion to parties or their principles. except
to suggest that In order to interest each par
ty alike, and secure the hearty co operation
of all, the committees ought to be made up OF
equal numbers from each political party, and
then neither would feel that they occupied
an inferior position. In speaking OF the
committees the Union says:
We care not whether the committees are all
democrats or all republicans, il they the right
men tor the place.
Neither do we care, except that if they are
all or a majority from the democratic party
the republicans will not feel universal salts
faction, and vice versa of the other party. 1T
the committees, or the important committees,
are composed of equal numbers from each
party. neither will feel an inferiority, and a
genuine union will take place.
eff they are the right men," says the I'm
ION. Why bubble about thatf Is it not
likely that plenty of right men" can he
found, ON both sides, in every town? Of
course they can. Let the republican super
visors name their share of the committe men,
and the democratic supervisors and city
council name their share,-then both sides
viii be satisfied and both 60 in for vigorous
prosecution of the 4th of July.
We have no other desire, connected with
the celebration, than to see all the people Of
the whole county, regardless of past ditferen-
ces. come together on the 4th of July, each
feeling that he is the equal of his neighbor, or
any other man. in patriotic love of country
and in all the dignity and rights of an Amer
lean citizen, and all, as one man, do honor to
the memory of the noble and glorious patriots
who formed our government and the no less
noble and glorious men who preserved it
Cannot this be done? 1t certainly can if the
right spirit is manifested. But in order to
do it, invidious distinctions must be avoided
and there must be no placing of one
or the other party in positions of inferiority,
but each must feel that it is just as much
their celebration as it is ''any other mans"
Cannot this be done? We believe it can.
All that is necessary is little exhibition of
good nature and kindly feeling. Is it not
worth the effort2 Most certainly it is. Let
US see, then, if we cannot treat each other as
equals, be willing to admit that some other
folks love Yankee Doodle as we'll as ourselves,
and try and interest all the toaons in our c0ua
ty in the matter Small appropriations by the
board of supervisors and the city council,
though not very important as far as dollars
and cents are concerned, ARE of the very high
est Importance in enlisting the people of all
the towns in the movement. And the ap-
pointments of committees of finance, commit
tees on free dinner. committees to rally the
people, and general committees of arrange
ments &C., &C., in every town, through the
action of the proper representatives of the
towns. the supervisors. will, it seems to US,
make it a grand county affair, in which all
the people will have an interest and pride.
Is it not worth the effort Ii seems to us
that with little good nature and a good deal
Of consulting with the people of the various
towns in the county. this most desirable re-
suit can be accomplished. We hope every
reader of the ARGUS will talk for it and see if
it cannot be accomplished.
HONORS TO BOOTH, THE ASSASSIN.