Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-12-06
Gov. Hoffman on the Liberal re-
form Movement.

A New York Herald reporter lately inter
viewed Gov. Hoffman, Of New York, and
during the con versAsion the governor eI-
pressed himself 10 regard to the liberal re-
form movement OF honest men Agains'
thieves, as follows;
Reporter, "Govsruor," said l, after a
pause, what is your opinion OF what Il. term
cd the passive policy, I. e. allowing the re-
puboAas opposed TO Grants sdministrAton
10 nominate . statesman TO whose stand
ard osn be rallied the full democratic sup
port?"
"Well, air. said he, speaking slowly, a.
though Weighing tie force OF each word
the time has come in our history when We
want At the head Of the govern ment n
s,a,s.man such - We have not had within
my recollection. There are still statesmen
in thi. country Who could rescue the gov
srnmsnt from tbs Perils that oeset II. De-
lave honestly that . very, yes, very large
majority Of the peopls Of this country are
opposed to Gen. Grant filing the office Of
onisf magistrate OF the nation for another
term. and we ought to find a statesman who
could defeat him This standardization has
not met the expectations of the people
Inc time mas cOtno Wuou "o W WV"
the masses demand-sreat reform
His eXcsllsncy paused for momen.
and continued. There is a feeling rlie
among the people that union oil all
honest msn, Of those opposed to cor
ruption, 10 desirable, and it is, per
haps, advisable that to accomPlls
the defeat Of the present party IN power
. fusion should be formed with such mo
tive, even If some be compelled to sAcri6cs
for time their feelings of fealty to party.
The democratic party is still . power IN the
land, aud it cannot forget its principles; but
l say. perhaps il would be wise and patriot
10 and desirable 10 the cause of honest gov
srnment, to make some sacrifices. say
perhaps. for have not yet settled 10 my
mind clearly What course the democracy
should pursue. Yet am fully Impressed
with the rss ponsibiIity that rests upon the
people ~ the present crisis 10 our national
Affairs. and thiuk that we should ell endeAv-
or to secure economical Ad ministratiou aud
the correction Of abuses. To accomplish
that We musthave q statesman who will
dictate . policy to his cabinet instead OF
blindly following such policy as may ae
mapped out by his ministers. A presiden,
should be- such q man, and until We obtain
one OF TINS CHARACTER We need not hope 20
prosper, nor stop dsfAlcs,ions. the neQli
gsncs Of officials and the corruption thai
boldly seats itself in high place"
The governor spoke long and eloquentiy
upon this subiscf, aud discussed with me
the entire situation. aud while / may moi
have giveu his language precisely as utter
ed, ~ made not notes, I have 10 the above
believe, DOT misrspresented bis views.
De also referred TO the necessity for ID,
people Of the entire nation following the rx
ample set bv the democrats and republic
ans OF Ns- York Of extending the reforu
movement that has been inauVura,ed Their,
20 succsssfully to the entire nation. and tn,
Suv o' the press to lead iu the grand vorl
soueanne the ma 20, 10 their duties an,
o'oiit'es as citizens Who desire homes
OF n.s.a snt aud can rise above the claim