Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-07-24

inc the past year or more, the country would
have beeu spared the vexation, irritation,
and injury resulting from the enactment of
srbitrary and despOtic Ku Klux and election
laws, and the constitution, and all it's
amendments, would have been protected
from gross violation, and the last two
amendments would not have been made pre-
texts for the enactment of mere partisan
prospective and unconstitutional laws.
The most mendacious leaders and press
es Of the republican party are more anxious
to-day to place the democratic party, IN
reference to these amendments, and the
propositions settled BY them, in false posi-
tions before the country, then they are 70
promote the welfare of the country hself.
Their profound desire is to prolong strife, to
confound the judgments of the people by
falsehoods and ISLANDERS, to inhame anew
the worst passions aroused by the civil war
5y dishonest partisan appeals. and, by such
unmanly and unpAtriotio means, to eItort
again from the fears, passions. and creduhty
of the people another hold upon power and
plumber.
Therefore, think, if there ever was any
am biguty in the positions OF our great par
ty upon these questions, it is time to remove
il, Let sll men be henceforth assured that
we accept the past, embrace in our allegi
Snce the constitution with its fifteen amend
ments. intend to obey and execute the entire
Instrument, IN good faith, firmly and cheer
fully, end to look to the future for reform
through the agency alone of peaceful and
la Wful means, and thus vindicste the glori-
GUS record of our party in the past for con-
servati.m, faithful obedience of the constitu-
ton, the vigorous maintenance IF law and
order, and ready compliance with the reas-
enable requirements of intelligent popular
sentiment.
This wise and noble policy made our past
history illustrious; il will not bear any less
bene 6cent fruits IN the future. Ii will give
greater confidence to just and reasonable
men who desire release from radical leader
ship, and will render democratic aud con
servsIive success. in 1872 certain. II viii
impose humiliation upon nobody, and it viii
require of none disgracefnl utilization il
political action. 1t will most eFeciually
facilitate cooperation amongst good men al
over the country in their efforts to relieve i
from its present thraldom, to inauguratC
reform, secure obedience 10 the constitution
anu re-estApls peace, anlty ana prosperity
everywhere. These ends are precious anC
priceless, aud transcend in importance al
considerations of personal CIR mere part
character.
| feel most confident that wise and saga
cious management on our pArs will guarRn
tee the complete triumph Of correct priuoi
| pies in 1872, and will restore our country t,
the practical control of honest, capable ant
worthy men. The welfare aud happiness o
the country demand, and the democratic
party most earnestly desire that ell traces o
the late civil war should be eradiosted a
speedily as possible from the hearts 0
/ the people. But radical leader.
want no such condition. /, bA,
been within their power 10 establish
peace within the last six years. They never
will accomplish it. Their couduc. and prin
oiples inevitably begetenmity, estrangemeu
aud discord. The country's only hope is
change of rulers.
With great respect, ! am,
Very truly, your friend,
NJ. C. KERR.