Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-12-05

intact the party discipline and organization
The language Of the N. Y. World, 10
.peaking of the new movement, is terso and
30 the point, and no doubt very fairly repre- /,
sents the views Of liberal democrats who l
are willing to change base as far as needful,
but would do so cautiously aud prudently.
A short time ago we thought it would be difficult
to start II our present apprehension Is, that Demo-
Gratis may faster in this direction than prudence
will warrant. There Is no doubt wide -prcad dis
satisfaction with Grant in the Republican party not
strong enough TO proven his nomination, bnt quite
sufficient IN conjuuc ion with the democratic party
10 deteat his election. But must jump to the
conclusion that these ele ments oppo tiOn can be
easily combined. IL all diprEas upon whether the
recalctrant Republicans find intrepid leaders in their
own party On this point we have yet, grounds
OF confidence. Ii one eminent Republican attacks
Grant, h will simply be read out OF the party. |
What Is needed Is combination Of such leaders of
sufficient standing and influence render the move
ment formidable, and TO nfu-e courage confidence,
aud hope iuto the mass o. dissatisfied Republicans
II, during the ensuing winter. there shall be deve
oped strung leadership of tho right kind. there can
be no reasonable doubt Of the result: and In that
case the Democratic party will not he found lmprac-
tieaole But We must not tn .se chickens be-
fore they are halched. Il You'd b. an csregions
puhueF Tor tue Dsm0cratic party To conseut 10 the
so-called passive policy unri the Republican 90
position To Grant ha- taAen form and body. pro.
visional passlvity may be wen enough but it mast
De Understood that II is merely provisional and
pectant Thsre Is no necessity too calling the Dem
ocratc National Convention earlier than July or
August; and II, meanwhile, there should b: Or
ganized Republican bolt against Grant. the Demo-
cratic party must have its forces in readiness for
vigorous independent campaign planned to draw off
In detail the liberal Republicans whom defective
leadership may prevent from seeding IN "a body.
The new moyem.ut Is 50 well aired n Al il cannes
no iurthcr pushing and We must take that il
does not disintegrate The Democratic parry IL may
be true rs Il religions poet Gays that "they also
serve who on,y stand ana watt; but this take IL,
l. only on the hypothesis that vigorous action Is
going on elsewhere which they ought not impede.
he result OF the elections IN the cites
Of New York aud Chicago, one a Demo
cratic and the other Republican city, dis
unctly indicate that the people themselves
are not insensible TO the enormiiy Of cor
! ruption aud peculaIiou among officials in
; high places, and that when left free to
. grapple with the fearful evils gro~iug up
. under the shadow Of party patronage AID
poser they are ready and willing to repuuiate
e party aud punish the abuse ard violation OF
!. public trust. True, 1t may be SAID these are
y merely local reforms. aud claimed AS rot
= likely to Sxteud to national affairs, but they
T. certainly have this signi6ceuce, that VIII II
men clearly perceive danger srd system
d. attic abuse Of public cou6l-uc- that the
h powerful force of party disciphus is iusoi.
n Geient to hold honest men quiet at tn,
's mere dictstion Of party And when
N disntegrstion Commences even in SINAI
ID affairs, It Is in possible 20 fur-ee how lar /
he will extend or how soon a party which II
ID more or lees corrupt may be ignominousl,
8 Il 4
parties in such i'm poriaut localities as thos
t. mentioned rsn, and do ind ;, necessary t.
he unite their streayIh aud SURFACES irrespec
n y. tive of party, though 1t % only in Iocs
" affairs, Is no faint ada nbraiion of what i
or possible to take place upon a wider theSle
Of action and in regard to questions q
., national magnitude. 1t points with IN
erring significance to the further fact, Cd =
We have not yet reached condition E
49,, revolving to constitutional liberty, as this
the people are wiling the Offices and az
III poiotmepts Of public trust shsL b. mer
y sinecures to the occupants for theiI person,
wealth aud Aggrsndizemeu,. Let US hop
the time Is DOT far dl.taut when n sltnii-
= movement will become national, And ID
!. attempted reformation Of scandsloos cor
ruptivn and nepoIism will not b. huIt,.
simply to the cities Of New York an
Chicago.
so 10 conclusion, We feel it due, while a.
nj. d'esslnE sub language TO the democracy,
ial say that We too have ever been 81 uufAltr
led ing democrat an 1T this very moment f,
On, as deep an iuteres. IN tie prevel.uce ~
are success Of the es,eu,iaj principles Of lru
5o' democracy as AZ aug 'oFmer urr tr ."
Even yet We ar unpre pared % -s, hat u
has exigencies Of tn tunes de mani auy rov,
led change Of organism or subsraati,l mpd,G,,
snr zion Of precautionary discipline P-sbsE
nor the propItIogs mement has not yet, AT
The possibly NAV never arrive. ~beu the char z,
re, aud alliances proposed be safely a
Is cspted. Nevertheless, TO be cato d, 90 +
'gt- as now appears, these or others OF srmjh
hat kind see IN 70 be almost the only resourc
.pi left TO the once poverful democratic per
ere o. preserving itself from total iusniuo
DID Clearly, in the present sspact of put!
ant affair it is the duty of the democracy not
Dcv urge or en ploy its name and orksnizatic
uoy, IN defiant or repellsut spirit. The least
My can do Is to encourage the dl,srDsious of
Ing opponents, divide ct impera. A more mob
Re. sud generous policy would openly invi
war alliances aud propose sttll.atou.