Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-12-20

10 the Eastern states, where the inherent
and undying power OF local selt-govern-
ment has been signslly illustrated by the
overthrow OF she greatest system of muuici-
pal corruption ever Witnessed, aud whsre
the AbesI and most honored Democrats
aud Republican, have risen above party
divisions Ia . struggle for reform, the Peo-
pie every where hail the event q, u sign
that seli-govern ment 10 the Southern states
may soon be permitted to oVerthro" comoI-
nations not less corrupt, s1d that the hon
est men Of all parties may mite IL We
torious assault upon the greatest comoinz-
ton of all, that which sits enthron-d at
Washington with . sceptre ready for its
grasp, enrichinR fAvorltss BY monopoles
and prAuts, welding govern meut patronage,
aud debating to states 10 elections and coB-
ventions
The time seems to US ripe for an uprising
Of the people, Ia kind not unlike that which |
swept this state 10 1870. Look where you /
will, from county to county, Aud from state
10 state, the men who have been prominent
10 shaping policies aud moulding puolIc
opinion, are waiting for some movement
that shall give promise OF brighter future. |
Though they say little there is a seiing OF
profound dissatisfaction with the policy no "
dominant. Representatives Of this feeling
already speak in ,hs capitol and through
the press Republican statesmen Of the
largest influence and the proudtsl record
are so united In opinion as 10 BE- ready for
action whenever Democratic Withdrawal
may give needed opportunity They are
known TO all the world as founders of the
Republican party-men who bAttled for il
against odds long before those Who nov
claim 1t as their property had discovered
any virtue in its ideas. Such men, whose
Games will rise at once 10 every mem,ry,
need no latter day converts to vouch Tor
their fidelity to Republican principles, aud
# they raise q standsrd, no Republican will
fear that the principles are to be sacrificed
On the other hand, the condition which
alone can bring such men into united &C
ton, The Withdrawal of the D-m 1cratic
party from the coming presidential contest
seems well Gigh assured. The ablest and
most patriotic of that party feel and say
That the time has come to put an end to
dispute as to questions upon which il has
been defeated, and TO open the way for Au
effort for reforms belonging TO the present
and future-sn uprising Of the people to
save the Constitution and the vital princi piles
OF selt-governmeat. Thew know
that AS long Democracy is in
the hsd IL will be- ass4lied most CON
tSntly, because more ehectuslly, Upon past
Issues They see that the DrmocraEIc part,
cannot succeed, but that oOjecis dear tn
honest men of every party can he achieved
If it steps aside. The effort TO bring pow
srtnl party TO = course so unprec 'dentrd D.,
belug made with an esrnestuess hOnorAbl,
u the patriotism of those who thus forge,
party pride aud rise above party Ties, and il
u shall succeed no man can doubt that =
hos' of Republicans will be found equally
ready to forget their pride in victorious
past for the sake Of securing to our common
country = bene6csut future.
To strengthen those Democrats who are
urging this w,thdra~a from a conviction oi
duty to the country rather than AS a stroke
1t party strategy, Il seems TO US tine for
Liberal Republicans Ih-oug tout the country
to Svow their principles aud show their
readiness To take the field whenever thr
opportunity shall be given. A patriotic
purpose needs no disguise. Ii il due tn
Democrats to tell them that we are abb,
and willing, II l-ft unincu IN bered \, to p,sr
issues, to struggle for cause precious 10
:
20 warn them that party f irlity will not
lead US to sscrlh e the welfare of our cpun-
Try. Il is dua, especially. to those brave
leaders who have publicly avo 'ed our
principles, TO assure them that they shall
not lack the support Of true Republicans.
There is little reason to doubt that poll
cies hostile to our principles viii control to-
National convention. nor need we hesitate
70 face the fact Il is no disgrace TO be IN =
minority, the Republican party Itself was -
minority when it was most pure. But ~e
believe tina, oF the homes, voters of tha
parry majority -ould sustain our efforts
but for the power of com hin-tion Of plun
ierers and 9th ce-hoders, aided bv the mill
tary Supremacy at the South, 10 pact con
v@ntions aud suppress the voice Of those 10
whom politics Is not q trade. Whether
/ DverpoSPred or ouiuum berpd in one party
our principles will command the surrort o.
ms jnrity Of the whole people. Wi'hnu'
aspouslng the ideas Of Others, W. can MAKE
/ hose principles triu plant whenever the
/ ps.t u be buried Shall W. refuse out a.
,b-d 4nce to patty drill? Be- that dril
avery great evil nov dem Sndng reform has
neen brought uDon IA Il it thu will of
ms ori'y Of the party, or the will Of
| = majority OF the people that .cf
/ right ought TO role this iand
! Al "a -i,-. bsc1ma corrupt; AT parties sac
ri6re public welfare n retain power The
purast and safest Of all govern mpnt. NAV h.
coached when a holy ef patriotic citizens,
setting together intelligently and indepsnd-
entity. hold aud use the balance Of pose
| To such ombin-d effolts We invite the
| Liberal Republicans Of other states. L.,
us sustain BY publ, decIAra ions those
leaders who are Sighting for reform. Lot u
evervwbere Nvov "ur readiness 80 sus:si
them ~ the bAllot.hnx wh4Bevrr We can d.
40 without endsngrring tn" settlements "'
he past Let IA prepare BY OrgAnlZtiI"n
FOR effective cooperation throughout tn
cOnntrv, setting forth our principles and
purposes with the frAnkness that BELTS y
patriotic motive.
Missouri has marked out the way t.
Missouri belongs the initiative. Ia TN,
s,a.e The Liberal policy has b-en tIlsu.
1 he uzIiOu has sven the peace, order N
pure. uon-psruzan, healthy goverDm at, IA,
revival OF friendly feeling, aud woLderfu,
enterprise, Commerce aud industry, hIcu
nave been 1t, fruits. Ii, with such amy,
Justification We are not prompt to iLy.t,
] u
achieve nauunal victory, we slau uriIh,.
DO hOuOr to ourselves nor ,stice to Jhrm.
la the ueltei. therefore, that the L,brr,
Republicans o. thus STATE desire to maA,
&nUwn their adherance to the principles 10,
which they have commended, and To send =
voice OF uhrerIuk 10 thUss Of other ,Int .
SnO IN .dtAte a contest for those prlncIrl..
upon tue national field, We IuSi,e ma.
convention OF ali those who hold to m,
principles set forth IN the platform of tn,
Liberal Rspub icau convention Of Srpte III.
bsr u, 1870, Eho desire to carry for~arc
those principles III their logical results auu
just application TO national affairs, to tn
coatrOl Of the national government IN 1872
And Who approve Of the policy herein sus
les,ed, to meet st Jefferson ely in III.
representatives hall, gu the lib day Of
January, at ~ o'clock.