The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1868-09-28
JOINT DISCUSSION.

IL increased gradually, until, at the Tune Ioi
opening the discussion, the hall was well
filled. DIR. Truesdale acted rs chairman Tor
the republicans, and B. d. Bulord for the
democrats, each introducing their own
speaker. The debate was opened by Mr.
Draper, the republican candidate, who I'm.
mediately launched into violent abuse Of the
democrats. saying that the rebellion was a
democratic movement; that when Lincoln
came into office he found two democratic
presidents on his hAnds--BuchAnau and
Davis; that "the republicans put down the
tcar !" at which statement the house e1plo.
ded with derisive laughter (he meant the re.
bellion) that the democrats did all they
could to oppose it, and many more very Of
fensive insults to the democrats. The large
number of democratic soldiers present
didn't relish such violent Misrepresentation
and insults, and manifested their dispIeasure
by occasional Interruptions. And when
Mr.. Draper crowned his outrageous conduct
by abuse Of Gen. Hancock, by name, the
democratic soldiers could stand it no longer,
and they broke out with three cheers for
Gen, Hancock. Mr.. Draper then switched
off upon other questions, and among other
things denounced the democratic platform
for favoring equal taxation, grossly miSrep.
resenting the democratic party by saying it
was in favor Of levying direct federal tax
upon houses, lands, aud every species Of per.
sonal property. Did Mr.. Draper ever read
the republican platform, which declares that
"it is due TO the labor of the nation that tar.
alton should be equalized" According to
Mr. Draper, it would have been much near.
er the truth for the radical platform to have
declared that sit is due to the labor Of the
nation that taxation should not be equal.
zed, because equal taxation means repudia
ton What a sorry spectacle it would be
were the radicals to say in their resolutions
Just what they mean Mr.. Draper finished
up his hour by telling what Mr.. Phelps
would say, aud by defending the reconstruc
ton infamy the payment Of bonds in gold,
etc. At the close of his speech Dr. Trues.
dale, the republican chairman, left the stage
and the meeting in disgust at the very poor
figure which their speaker had cut lie was
followed by large number Of republicans,
Mr.. Bulord then introduced Dir. Phelps,
who spoke for au hour and half. lie
opened by showing, from republican author
| ity, how the rebels we're encouraged to set
Mp government Of their own, and chal-
lenged the production OF similar sentiments
from a1y democratic paper or speaker. lie
said the people Of the south separated from
the democratic party, at Charleston, IN 1860,
and set up Breckenridge as their boiling
! candidate; that Ben Butler, the leading re.
publican, voted steadily for JEFF Davis, in
| the Charleston convention, and that those
who supported JEFF Davis, Breckenridge u
Co., were not democrats, but were boilers
from the democratic party, and the demo.
cratic party was not responsible for their
reasonable acts Mr.. Draper had com.
planned that President Buchanan sat quietly
in his chair denying the right to coerce a
state, and letting the rebels go in peace
Mr.. Phelps not only showed that the leading
republican papers advised this course, but
> that Lincoln pursued the same course, at the
!" beginning. He showed that from the date
Of the secession of the first state, to thu
close of Buchauan's administration, wa
is, only about two months, while Lincoln, from
II March 18th TO April 10Th, nearly the sam
y time, pursued the same course that Buchan
5 an did. If Buchanan was censurablc 70
+ not commencing a civil war, in the very las
:. hours of his administration, so was Lincoln
for inexcusable imbecility for nearly the
same length of time at the beginning of his
term. The applause at this pa pable bit
was tremendous showing that the meeting
. was made up Of large majority Of demo
~ Gratis. Mr.. Phelps, after showing that The
>. war was supported by republicans and dem
ocrats alike, and carried on, az avowed at
y the time, Only for the purpose of compelling
T. the rebels to come back and submit to the
constitution and the Union-that the war
u was prosecuted to restore the Union, and
l. for no other purpoSe--but as soon aS the
rebels submitted, the radical faction in con.
gress commenced to drive the states out of
the Union and reduce them to terrtories.---
Mr.. Phelps dissected and riddled the inta
/ nous reconstruction measures through and
It through, showing the outrage committed up.
;. on the Union soldiers by destroying their
work and setting up negro governments in
r place of the old states. He then passed to
!. the financial issues, presenting them in the
clearest and plainest manner, showing the
!. extravaganza and corruption of the radical
managers, at Washington, and pointing out
the remedy. Mr.. Phelps is q handsome
/ clear, and forcible speaker, with graceful
y and pleasing personal Appearance and fine
i voice. His exordium attracted the uuiver.
- sal attention Of the house, which attention
- he held closely to the close, being raptur
Il ouSly applauded throughout. His apos.
80 'rophe to old Virginia was among the finest
~ lights OF ora'ory, causing many an eye TO
10 ghsten with tears, and bringing forth from
the audience rounds of hearty applause
st And his torclble and eloquent peroration
was greeted with the most hearty cheers and
al applause. The democrats were proud Of
rs their Champion-he had gloriousy yiudca,
:; ted their cause. while the republicans hmm,