The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-11-09
Copperhead Played Out.

The Hon. Thomas Ewing, in late letter
which he has written upon the result of the
elections, thus recognizes the fact which has
became patent even to the most bitter radi-
cal, namely, that the malignant denuncia-
ton of democrats, which was once consider
ed a very successful weapon of radical con-
troversy, has now become so dull as to be
incapable of future service. Mr.. Ewing
says:
Every little can now be gained by calling
hard names and the accumulation of harsh
and reproachful epithets. Copperhead is
now understood to be a fash term, and TO
mean one who is not radical, who thinks
the constitution still worth restoring and
preserving, and of more binding efficacy
than the most solemn radical platform
The bitterest and most vehement curses
against those who refuse conformity are now
without effect. Our vice president. Mr..
Wade, tried them to the utmost in some OF
the southern counties in Ohio. In Gallia,
these, with his exposition of radical policy,
brought down the republican majority from
1,l07 to 3d. and in Washington from 607 to
81, with like result in Scioto, Meigs and
Athens counties. Had he canvassed the
state with like effect, the democracy would
hove carried it by majority of 10000"
LECTURES AND LECTURERs.-The fact is
no denied by candid men of any party that
within the last few years, indeed since the
lecture system became an institution the
practice has been to give lecturers of notori
0usly extreme radical views the preference
over all others. There has everywhere been
three political TRADES where there has been
L..
subject. This has resulted partly from the
fact that political questions have been es-
teemed of the greatest moment, partly be-
cause lecture committees have sought the
notorious to draw large houses, but chiefly
from the fact that these committees have
generally been controlled by local politici-
ans who have sought this as an additional
means to propagate their faith. 1t mattered
little whether the lecturer openly insulted
the principles and common sense of half his
audience or not, he was expected by the 9th
er half to give a political stump speech,
plentifully mingled with epithets and black
guardism. In great many instances these
speeches, for which the people paid
literally, have been greatly inferior in point
of ability and decency to those usually made
by the ordinary country politicians in the
heat of campaigns. Such shameless women
as Anne Dickinson, after being furnished
with lectures by the most vilely extreme po-
ltical preachers, commits and retails them, to
the infinite disgust of sensible people. She
has OF course been hired because of her po-
htical procilvltIes, or because of her noto-
rious character, and as a general curiosity or
what's ii" to draw crowds. The object OF
these association lectures should not be to
teach politics or to make money. If the
G., u.
vanced should certainly be the sole patrons
if the latter, three tailed female monkey, g
tailless gorilla, a two headed calf or any
other mistake of nature, would answer quite
as well as a lady of Miss Dickinson's knob
biness.
Information is what the people want il
this class of teachers, and we shall certain
II insist in future that lecturers capable O
impartng it be furnished, and we hope thai
the democrats will do the same. We wan,
no political TRADES which always weaker
more in creating division, than they strength
en- by money receipts. Let our association
adopt this course for the future, respect each
others views politically and seek only to carr,
out the legitimate objects of the society w
suggest to the committee, since the kind inter
position OF providence saved us the infictior
of Sumner, that they pursue this course, and
also, that they examine and see if there i
not some western talent, some Iowa brai.is
which can teach truths and facts as we'll al
eastern men, bound up and fossilized in stall
theories and arbitrary faiths. Judge Wrigh
might be invited to repeat his lecture here
Judge Ellwood could supply another even
ing; gentlemen of like character and abilit,
could be secured from other parts of tn
state; we could probably listen to a lectur
from the chief of the Insane Asylum, thu
Deaf, Dumb and Blind Asylum. We NIGH
learn from these gentlemen many facts il
connection with the unfortunate of our stat.
and many duties also. The geologist coul,
also occupy an evening acceptably and t,
the profit of his hearers. We have onl,
mentioned a few sources for obtaining lee
lures at home, and we submit these sugges
tons to all candid men and friends Of tn,
association. Is there one who would no
be OF more service to our people, and draw
quite as largely as Anna Dickinson. Sumner
or other persons whose sole merit il found !,
their impracticable political crotchets-Des
MONIES Statesman.
Another Railroad abuse Smashed