The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-03-06
Datlp ARGUS.
Democratic Victory.

Democratic Victory.
None of our readers have forgotten the
last congressional campaign, and the ter
ribls scare the democrats of this district
gave Lord John B. HAwley. Who was only
declared elected, through fraud as we
believe, and who certainly secured large
number of votes by threats of dischareinp
government employees on the Island, and
BY briOing the dissatisfied of his own party
by promises of offices, Ii. g. the recent
change Of postmasters at this city We
all remember that week Of terrible waiting
for the election returns--that week Of sgon-
Izing suspense to HAwley; how his form
seemed bowed down with the weight OF
years as he YEARLY traversed the space be-
tween the telegraph office and the Union
Office, from early morn sill the night had
almost worn into day, and his fevered brow
pressed restless pillow only when exhaust
ed nature compelled. We remember 1t
we'll for we pitied him for the terrible an
guish that rAcked his frame and bowed his
naughty head as each fresh dispatch told
him how near political disgrace his course
had brought him Bat all his suffering was
but the fire that was purging his soul of
those ultrG.radicsl ideas that tie people
condemned and he came out oft better
representative OF Western interests. This
trial and the shame of going back to his
seat with petty, iusigni 6cant majority,
when he had boasted before the legal digni-
taries of Iowa, at Judge Grants party, that
be would never take his seat 10 congress
again unless he should be sected by an in
creased majority has had its most whole
some effect and our prediction is verified
that "Athough our candidate was not elected
that we had still gained glorious victory
aud the principles upon which we had made
the campaign would be represented in con
gress by the person Of Mr.. Hawley.' In
recent speech, opposed TO have been actually
delivered in congress by Mr. Hawley, being
published in, and so stated by the Rock
Island Union of Sunday morning, we find
the indications Of the good results of the
terrible lesson Mr.. Hawley learned in his
last political race in this district. The Union
makes Mr.. HswleY say in congress as fol-
lows, speaking upon the bill granting land
bounty to soldiers and sailors
l, is said that the lands have been given
TO railroads and other corporations. That
haya hnf
steadily opposed rs is well known.
Very unfortunately for Mr.. Hswley, it was
not well known in this district, but his record
was so well known that if the true wishes
Of the maj ority had been recognized ia the
counting Of ballots, nc would be private
citizen at this time. But his lesson was well
learned and he is proftting by it.
Ho still has leaning towards his old
companions and fellow laud.grabbers for
his name appears in three of the corpora
tions to which lands were donated) as
further along in the speech which the
Union says he actually delivered in cons
gress, we find the following
But such proposition (the granting Of
land to actual settlers is still more vicious
than the granting of lands to railroad COM
pauies
He, however, still remembers that terrible
week of waiting for the election returns.
Like Bsnquo's Ghost it will not down, for
ct the close of this speech, which the Union
says was actually delivered in congress, We
I 81 he. -. t1na 3k, -
bers-she thieves Of the public domain, of
which class he appeared as q member in the
last congress, but the ghost rises before him
and points to the figures on the wall-"l722
~ 1865 AND FoRTY-ONE"-IN 1870, and he
tremblingly says in closing:
in what have said have simply done
what | conceived to be my duty. | know
that many will not concur IN the views thus
expressed. | rest in the conviction that,
whatever may now be thought Of my views
upon the subject, the future vii! de monstrate
that the course l have pointed out Ia the
only safe and proper one to be pursued. l
believe the only true policy to be pursued in
reference to the public lands is to preserve
them tor settlement only under the home
stead and presumption laws, except in SO far
rs congress may, from time to time, make
limited grants for purposes Of education.
We will not review further tue speech +,
which the Union solemnly Gays, and that
too on Sabbath morning, was actually de-
Hvered in congress on the 3lst of January,
1870.
We shall expect during the sessions of the
Forty Second Congress that he will remem-
Der the anguish of soul that paled his brow
and bent his lordly form during that week
of terrible waiting, and that he will be found
advocating the principles upon which we
made the campaign against him, thus dem
onstrating that, although he was elected in
place of an ADLER and better man, it was
nevertheless glorious victory tor demo-
cratic principles, which he and even John
A. Logan, now that he is U. S. Senator, are
fast coming around to advocate, as it daily
becomes more evident they can only keep
with the popular sentiment and on the wining
side by so doing.