The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-07-27
The Violence of the Radio als-The Threat-
ened Civil war.
From the New York Evening Post, (repnblicar.
July H.
IMPROPER LANGUAGE.

IMPROPER LANGUAGE.
The extraordinary language used in the caucus
meetings of the republican members OF congress-
on Wednesday and Saturday OF last week, VIII
fill all patriotic hearts with Amusement and grief
and cause the enemies of republican hoerty 10
rejoice We have had, during the last SIX
months, several lamentabe and disgusting dls-
plays of incorporate language; but they nave
been by individuals. In the republican caucus
it would seem that, with two or three honorable
exceptions, members of congress tried who
should indulge to the greatest extent ia language
so incorporate, SO indecent, so disgusting, tha'
as we read, the speakers seem rather an assem-
blage of pot-house brawlers than grave and re-
sponsble members of congress.
In the first place, it is humliating to ind the
majority of a congress which has had to act in
one of the most important parts of our national
history, meeting in caucus, not to deliberate up
| on important measures OF public policy, not to
discuss the condition and the wants OF the coun-
| try, not TO compare views upon the admission oil
loyal southern members, or upon the condition OF
| the finances, or upon any one of the great and
! important national interests; but, alas ITO
| have an interchange of views as to the best
| course to be pursued in regard to the rumored
removal of officeholders by the president" to
use the words in which Mr. Hotchkiss, of New
York, stated the object of the meeting.
What business have congressman with Office
| holders? Is il part of the official duty OF a
member of congress to look after offce-holders
and office seekers? Mr.. Hotchkiss said ''he
deemed it the duty of congress to stand by its
friends, and to make any sacrifice necessary to
keep them in Office"
| For ourselves, we think it tie duty of congress
to pass just and equal laws; to attend to the in
| terests of the whole country and of all the peo-
Pile. We did not know until now that there was
SO intimate a connection between congress
aud the Office holders or that it was one of the
high duties of congress to keep men in or out OF
Office.
But i was not sufficient to degraae congress
by such declarations as we have quoted worse
was TO come. 1t Is supposed TO be proper 70
speak with respect OF the constituted authorities;
what shall We think, then. when we read of Mr..
Farnsworth, of Illinois, who asserted his belief
that "the president was traitor to the party and
the country, and that he was ready for any
measure, however desperate, which would put
the government into the hands of the rebels
. | What his schemes were he did not know, but be
had been told on high authority that Mr.. Seward
had said that this congress would never meet
again until the southern states were restored 10
their rights OF representation in congress- OF
of Mr.. Boutwell,, of Massachusetts, who said hG
"believed it to be beyond all doubt that C on
spiracy was on foot to put the government into
the hands of rebels and the president was
= party TO it. He had no doubt that they con
templated q resort to force, because it was in tht
logic Of events that they should do so. lie be
lievcd Andrew Johnson TO be just as thoroughly
a traitor as JEFF. Davis, and that nothing could
, save the country from destruction but the mos
prompt and elective preparations for ever,
emergency. He believed an attempt would b
made TO force the rebels into congress, and tn
Philadelphia convention was part of the scheme
The battle, in effect, had already begun, and !
resistance was not made, the president woult
take possession of the capitol Any such at
tempt would and must be resisted by force
| Mr.. Boutwell's remarks were loudly appiauded
Or of Mr.. Ingersoll, OF Illinois, who "denounce
, ! President johnson as a traitOr-a madman-il
league with rebels and copperhesds, aud insiste
, OF measures of precaution against his schemes,
aud who, for some reason, took the trouble 1
add that she had no personsl interest or feeling
| in the matter.
Such language is not fit to be used by any citi
zen about the chief magistrate of the nation
least of all by members of congress. If the per
, sons who used and applauded it had not for tn
time lost all sense of propriety, and all wisdom
they would have seen that they were strengthen
ing the very officer agains. whom they rage, am
only injuring themselves-and that fatally
: the esteem of all judicious citizens. For if til
spirit there displayed by members of congres
could animate the whole people, our national es
stence would be very near its close. 1t is no
such intemperance and intolerance which th
nation requires in it's leaders they only max
government impossible.