Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-07-11
The New oeparture.

The following from the New York GloJ
su Independent Journal of more than ordi
nary ability aud foresight says in reference
to The so called New Departure as follows
A cloud lifts from the great democrati
party. Patriotic in its impulses, ~renowns
in It's history, wise and liberal in its princi.
pies, this party has, till recently, achieve,
success IN the grasp OF power, and in th,
prosperous government OF Ehe country. Tn,
issue which the STAKEHOLDER made gave III,
party a blow from which il is only just re
covering. The rebellion elevated the par
tisau to the patriot and for a Time left the
management Of the opposition to a few
noisy, radical demAgogues, unwise in action
unpasriotic in spirit.
The convention which nominated Sey
mour in 1868 made q might effort 20 hfs the
party out Of the mirage that had settled
down upon it, but failed. They only hall
accepted the legitimate results of the var.
Under the guise Of adherence to the Con
st%itutinn, they held with one hand to the
foliies Of the past, which made the rebellion
q necessity. The people repudisled their
action, as every impartial thinking msu
knew they would, They said whatever els
10 accomplished By the war, the slave is free
aud with bis freedom has coms ell the loci
denss Of freedom in this country. We have
given the negro rightA, now we must give
him the power TO protecthis rights. he is
q citizen, Sand the meaning OF citizenship il
this country - not nj ambiguous.
The Democratic party simply accepts Ii,
verdict Of the people, and, in doing this
places itself under the wise Leadership oft
best men, and is inspired by IL
graudest principles. It resolves
THAT, burying OF: Of sight al
dead issues, and deprecsting the dis
%cussion Of all past questions that can hav,
no application 20 the present affairs aud
conditions OF the country, We address our
selves to the vital issues and questions 0
the hour, bringing them to and determining
them by the living principles Of DemocrAc,
as promulgated By the fathers of the Reput
lie That we will faithfully support the Con
situation Of the United States as it now ex-
lists, and that we demand for i, a strict con
struction 80 as 10 protect equally the right.
Of the States and individuals"
II is not yet time to agits,e the questions
that are 10 determine the nomination sbc
election Of the next President. The issues
Of the can vsss will be vital, aud the decis.oI
Of the contest will turn more upon the posl
ton occupieC by the respective parties upot
the questions involved than upon the ecceD
tricity or popularity Of the candidate Presi
dent Grant has not won so many lsurels q,
TO make him = conspicuous object Of sdmi-
ration by the people. His name inspires u
enthusiasm, and his character calls forth NJ
affection. Horace Greedy would not by his
personal magnetism, DO much in winning
votes. His character and his great services
would be at once recognized, but the people
would want 10 know on what platform h.
stood. They might say his eccentricities
make him unfit for the great Office. The,
nigh, disagree with him in respect to the
important subject Of Free Trade aud regard
this question as of sufficient weight to deter
mine their action.
We see in the new departure of the De
mocracy great hope for the party, and the
possibility OF great good to the country. ",
shall watch future developments with al
active interest.