The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-02-27
A CHANGE OF EDITORS.

York, is at length gratifed, TIE difficulty
has been, not to fud some one to purchase,
but to find man possessed of character,
ability and energy, sud Of the right political
prnciples,-one whose past life is guaran.
tee that be will fill the position with firm.
ness sad ability, and with satisfaction to the
democracy and the public generally. Such
a man has, in my opinion, been found, and
but for custom sanctioned by time nothing
would seem to remain for me to do but TO
introduce my successor, and say-Farewelll
This word, however, when it sewers relations
which have existed so long and so pleasant.
iY between myself and party friends, as well
as the largest portion of the opposite party,
cannot be uttered lightly, or without emo.
ton.
II may not be uniuteresting to some to
know that my first newspaper experience
was in my native state, where, on the lst
day Of January ls46, became Joint owner
and publisher of the Vermont Patriot, the
state organ of the patriotic democracy Of
that state. On the 2sth Of July s5l nearly
six years afterwards, sold that interest and
came to this city to reside. And on the oath
Of November 1852 became interested in
this paper, and assumed its editorial and
business management-then a small weekly
and sooE 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 1857
continued to edit and manage the paper,
when | sold it and spent two years on the
West Coast Of Africa, returning in 1859,
and resumiug the charge Of the paper on
the Goth 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, and 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, aud now leave it
with fairer prospects of increase than ever
existed before.
Politically, when came here, the town was
wing, with a wing mayor and council, and
the county was wing, by about 300, with all
wing 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 mora than doub-
led their majority the city has be.
come democratic, having, for the first time
in its history, given majority for the dem.
ocratic candidates at the last two presiden.
tial elections. On the other hand, Henry,
from 400 democratic, has gone to $500 re.
publican and Scott, from 400 democratic,
has gone to 5000 republicau-and Dayen-
port, from Il democratic TO a strong republi.
can town giving LIZA majority for Grant,
last fall.
point to these facts merely to show that
the superior party organization, and the
persistent contesting of every township and
county election here, has enabled US to beat
back and hold in check the tide of political
fsuaticism which has overlooked the land |
and 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 their
organization and as galIantly aud bravely
contend for victory,st every election,as they
have IN the past, they will not long wait, in
the returning reason now coming over the |
people, for their reward in a victory which
shall be lasting. But it can only be done
by contending for their principles continual,
ly--not pasmodcaIly, about election time
but persistently, and throughout every
year.
It has been my object to establish the |
ARGUS upon foundation which should be
permanent-to make it one of the institu.
tl0ns Of the county, which should last as
long as the county. But when | think of !
those who have made a similar effort at
establishing newspapers here-H. McGrew,
Dan Crist q. G. Reynolds, II. c, Randall,
Rev. DR.. Gatchell, VIM. Yandever, F. r.
Bennett, A. g. Bracket, 0. p Wharton, 7.
X Raymond, l. S. Hyatt, S. A. Paddock, c.
". kirkland, 7, J. Pickett, c. W. Waite, R.
Ii. Graham, Amos Smith, Alfred Webster.
F. NJ. Linuehau, j. II. Shipmap, T n 6
Johnston, ?. Il. Obcr, James Bowie, J. A {
kuck, E. j. Pershlng, Il. c. Connelly, Mai. ,
Cstfrey, NJ. S. Barnes, NJ. b. Merrill l.. NJ. {
Hsyerstick, and perhaps olhess-uot one of
whom is now connected with a paper in the
county, except the last named and no, one
of whom succeeded in permanently estab. /
fishing his jourual-uuess the paper now I
being printed here may be considered SO
and when think of the persistent, uuscru. {
pulous and even satanieal opposition have
had TO contend with, am agreeably sur.
prised at the unusual success which has
attended the ARGUS. 1.-THE noble democra.
cY shall stand as firmly and as literally by
my successor as they have by me, shall
lave no fear of his being able to sustain the 1
LBGUs and make it more useful than have t
one. 6
An effort to establish German paper il
IRE was equally unsuccessful with those b
have named, it having been started by CT
lgnus Miller, and passed through the