The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-02-27
Rock Island February u, 1869.
sALUTATORY.

The incoming editor yields a reIuctar
obedience to tho law of custom which r,
qures of him formal sautatory on AZ
Stunning the editorial management of tn
ARGUS. Considering public journalism
something more in importance than mer
means of moneygetting and personal az
graRdizement, he enters upon its duties will
unfeigned embarrassment and self.distrust
The few years heretofore given to the man
agement Of newspaper rather increase
than diminish his embarrassm eut. He will
only promise, therefore, that his efforts to
Gil the measure Of his duty shall amount to
diligence.
1t is probably needless to say that the
ARGUS in future, as in the past, will be a
firm and unfaltering advocate Of the princi
pies Ct the Democratic party party whose
theory Of government is so simple, so just,
and 80 perfectly in harmony with the spirit
Of the trainers of the constitution, that eve.
ry material departure from its cardinal prin.
ciPles has at once illustrated their wisdom
and broken the peace of the country. But
this declaration Of feAlty to the Democratic
party does not involve surreuder &C the IN
dependence oC tho paper, OF commit it to
the support Of every individual who may
call himself Democrat; nor is it prom
| Used that every measure or scheme which
may lay claim to Democratic origin will
receive its support. Its profession of the
Democratic faith shall not be a badge OF
seryility to the party. All ciques, combna
tions and 'rings,' formed within or without
the party, for peculation, or for the promo.
ton of private interests to the detrment Of
the public welfare, will have not only an op.
ponent, but natural enemy in the ARGUS
An enemy who will neither ask nor give
quarter,
While questions Of national and state
polity shall receive their due consideration,
the ARGUS shall be more particularly de
voted to the local interests of the vicinity in
which it is published and its active sup.
port may be relied on in every attempt
made, either by private or public enterprise,
to develop the resources of this locality or
to promote its material prosperity.
1t is the desire and purpose of the editor
to cultivate and maintain friendly and pleas
ant relations with his brethren Of the press
and he takes occasion here to deprecate and
protest against the free use, among editors
of opposite politics, of indecorous epithets
and terms of reproach. The privilege of
with each other is one of the
greatest luxuries Of controversial minds,
and Is q right which should be as freely &C.
corded to others as it is exercised by our.
selves Besides, coarse personalities and |
Nituperauon are weapons which ALWAYS do |
more execution at the breech than at the
muzzIe, and whatever temporary satisfaction
their use may afford those who indulge in
them, they are invariably offensive to those
who read them. 1t is hoped, therefore, the
amenities Of polite discussion and liberal
1'uefences OF opinion will be maintained.
J" Is understood, of course, that if at any
tune curing his extended editorial career
the MIX ct human kindness in the good
na'ured gentleman who to-day relinquishes
the management of the ARGUS, has been
,oured by the heat OF .partizan warfare and
ll'seeling and qusrrels have been brewed.
lie takes them with him his successor sue.
eeds only to the good will of the paper.
The new management hopes to receive ss ,