The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-03-01
A CHANGE OF EDITORS.

FORK, IS at length gratIhed' Inc u'"0''Y
has been, not TO find some one to purchaSe'
but to find man possessed Of character
ability and energy, aud ofth0 right political
principles,-one whose past life IS guaran.
tee that he will i'll the position with firm
mes, and ability, aud with satisfaction to the
democracy and the public generally. Such
a man has, il my opinion, been found, and
bat for custom sanctioned by time, nothing
would seem to remain for me to DO but to
introduce my successor, aud say-Fareveu!
This word, however, when it sewers relations
which have existed so long and so pleasant.
ly between myself and party friends, as well
as the largest portion Of the opposite party,
cannot be uttered lightly, or without emo.
ton.
/, may not be uninterestng to some to
know that my first newspaper experience
was in my native state, where, on the LIST
day Of January 1876, became joint owner
and publisher Of the Vermont Patriot, the
state organ of the patriotic democracy Of
that state. On the 25th of July 1851 nearly
SIX years afterwards, sold that interest aud
came to this city to reside And on the 1th
oiNoyember lsj2 became interested in
this paper, and assumed its editorial and
business management-then a small weekly
and soon became its sole owner. In 1854
/ started the first daily paper ever printed
here, or in any Of the counties adjoining us,
either in this state or Iowa. The first power
press ever brought to this region of country,
was by me. Until the 9Th Of September sj7
| continued to edit and manage the paper,
when | sold it and spent two years on the
West Coast Of Africa, returning in 1859,
and resuming the charge Of the paper on
the 10Th day Of August in that year, and
continuing until the present time.
During this long term Of service have
tried to be Of some benefit to the city and
county, aud the region Of country about us;
and have lived to see the population, wealth
and business, Of this place and vicinity,
double many times over, and now leave it
with farer prospects Of increase than ever
existed before.
Politically, when came here, the town was
wing, with q wing mayor aud council, and
the county was whig, by about 800, with all
whis officers. On one side Of US was Henry
county, good for 400 democratic majority
and on the other Scott county, Iowa, equally
democratic, with Davenport democratic
city. Since that time, and during the long
years Of crazy fanaticism and political mad.
ness, the party opposed to the democracy in
this county have but little more than doub.
led their majority-whio the city has be.
come democratic, having, for the first time
in its history, given q majority for the dem
ocratc candidates at the last two preSiden.
tal elections. On the other hand, Henry,
from 400 democratic, has gone to $500 re.
publican and Scott, from 400 democratic,
has gone to 5000 repubicau-and Dayen.
port, from democratic to 4 strong republi.
eau town-giying l,ll4 majority for Grant,
last fall.
point to these facts merely to show that
the superior party organization, and the
persistent contrasting of every township and
county election here, has enabled us to beat
back and hold in check the tide Of political
tauaticism which has oyerhowed the land
aud brought discord and ruin upon our
country while for the want Of it, in the two
counties named, the enemy have increased
to overwhelming power, If, in the future
the democracy of this county maintain then
organization and as CALAMITY and bravely
contend for victory,at every eIecton,as they
have in the past, they will not long wait, in
the returning reason now coming over the
people, for their reward in q victory which
shall be lasting. But it can only be done
by contendiug for their principles continual.
ly-not systematically, about'election time
but pers,steutly, and throughout every
year.
It has been my object to establish tn,
ARGUS upon a foundation which should be
permaneut-to make it one Of the institu
tons Of the county, which should last AZ
long as the county. But when | think Of
those who have made similar effort at
establishing newspapers here-H. McGrew.
Dan Crist II. G. REYNOLDS, II. c, Randall
Rev Dr. Gatcbsu VIM vardora- y p
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