The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-02-26
Communicated
THE LITTLENEss OF THE UNIONS PHI
LOsOPHY.

fCommuncated)
THE LITTLENEss OF THE UNIONS PHI
LOsOPHY.
The Union is nothing, if not profound
Its editorials are choice specimens, its dis.
elimination wonderful, and its wisdom ex.
ceedingiy that Of solomon. For caudor it
stands unparalleled among partizans, and
its love of truth is beyond suitable colIoca
ton Of English words to express. 0, rara
avis
"Snccess is the test Of merit" says, the
oracular Union.
This is profound sentiment, never be.
fore enunciutel, aud which will iI'umiuc
the world for all time to come. Let US re.
ceivo it as standard Of immutablity in
the midst Of vast social and political chang.
c,. Hereafter amidst the iucesssnt trans
ference and interchange Of relations ex.
listing among men, amidst the numerous
grades Of social status, we have now fur.
nished US q rule aud guide by which the
highest intc.ligcnCes, as well as the hum.
bIest, may intallibIy discern proper candi
date for Office, aud discerning need never
go astray. Success is the test, the crperi.
mca'im cr1tcis, which resolves all problems,
aud determines al gralalious, oil claims to
merit Heretofore humanity has groped in
darkness, and even science and philosophy,
though they have sometimes dared to queg.
ton nature and ask concerning her myster.
les. have never before received an answer
'raugh' with such deep sguii canoe. 1t
has remained to the profound ana trauscen.
dent taiDH, scrcncly and modestly leading
the van, from lofty Empvreau heights to
drop such gem Of wisdom, pearl of aphor
ism, diamond Of thought "sucrGys is
Ms test Qt meru.'
Happily the Union is always great, al.
ways strong in the might Of its own i'm
mcuslty.
A million horse power thrcshiug out oats,
Would be a fool to the Union working FOR yotF.
Guided by wisdom ard enlightened by
genius, it has no amiable Weaknesses no it,
tie inhrmltes Of temper; truth immortal
appears IN every line, as lying for party cf
feet Is wholly eschewed. ForsOoth to its
eternal praise be it said, it never couuta.
nauces q sentence, word, or thought Of
detraction against political opponent
None SO ready to magnify the virtue Of the
yirtuous, conceal the iuGrmties Of errug
city officials, or generously and publicly
acknowledge the worth and manly qualities
of our citizen police Nay, even more in
the name Of "God and Humanity" it utters
gentle sigh of regret for the weakness Of
the whiskey ring, and dismisses without q
thought of reproach the rapine and wurAer'
Of "a man and u Grudder,' If done IN
southern cline, as but the untutored playful
freaks Of Ethiop's guileless dusky children
whose only need beyond their present innc
cence and unshackled freedom, is to b
vested with the elective franchise,-fo
"success is the test Of merit
The Union, though excessively witty,
always courteous - over much so. II ma
at times be severe, in fact it makes sundr,
attempts that way, so far as its exceedingly
amiable nature will permit, but its grave
and decorous courtesy is only the calm and
serene voice Of irreproachable purity utter
ing virtuous admonitisus, and enfOrcins
verge Of sycophancy in its ohseQuiousncB
to its masters, it is nobly just and discrimi
mating to the lowly and humble, and no IN
just and inviduous comparisons or eXulta
tions over fallen foe appear in its columns
no, never. 1t carefully draws the distinc
ton between a gentleman Of afiueuce, in
huence and brilliant prospects, and the
rough destiny Of the tOilug millions Thl
very thought that man who has chanceC
sometime in life to be reduced in circun
stances should be by any possibility deeme,
worthy Of civic honors, and particularly thr
highest hOnors belonging, by its own infer
ence only to the prosperous and successful
10 business, is sneered at and satirized in
manner which would make an Intelligent
hyeoa ashamed Of himself: but then, as a
ln''" AZ neat aud perhaps as a sedative.
they are kindly aud courteously reminded
that they belong to the great unwasbed are
merely democrats, and that it is a "ract
which cannot be reFuted or disguised" that
to the republicans the poor pIebs must look
for their modicum Of pap, as we'll as for the
talents and ability 10 fill all offices of trust
and proiit--especiaIly the latter-for "suc
cess is the test Of merit
= utbI L1AdlH utlOCFhLS unfortunate II
that your want Of success is your mlsior
tune. Successful democracy would be men
torious democracy; but now, even when you
present, for the suffrages of the people mer
Of the strctest integrity, uudoubted business
capacity, and irrepr2achable morals, thu
Union, by its great wisdom and its timely
condescension, shows you the falIacy of YOU
hopes and disposes of your candidates with
nod of omnipotence which would do honor
to Olympian Jove,-for "SUccesS is tie test
Of merit, aud our little apple SwimS.
The Union is the very flower of cigiIity
and gentiity, and learned, oh yes, very
much Orr Mr.. Murdoch has come up
from small things and humble beginnings
until he has attained TO respectable posi-
tion !" while y0ur Mr. Buford has come