Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-07-26
srEECH OF SENATOR sCHITRZ.

FEILOW-CI CITIZENS; Standing before my CON
sttuents, deem il my duty to give account of
my public conduct the motives which have gov
erned it, and the ends it is intended 10 subserve-I
can do this in no better way than by expressing
fully and frankly my views of the events which
have produced the present extraordinary situation
Of our public national affairs events in which 1
took O small part-and also to state what consider
1t my duty patriotic citizen to do in order to
promote the hest interests of the Republic 1t has
been my misfortune to displease many with whom
i coOperated on the political field for many years
and from whom ] now, with great regret find my
self separated. To the attacks with which some of
them endeavor TO overwhelm me, have but one an
swer. j have never considered my party the su-
preme arbiter of my sense of duty. / have always
in politics aims far higher than the of
the organization to which l belonged and have
never believed that party, if it be my own,
has right TO stand in the way of public good This
has throughout my public life been my supreme rule
of action, and trust it win always be, to whatever
consequence may lead to my political fortunes.
On this ground shall appeal to your sober iudg-
ment.
WHAT WAS EXPECTED OF THE ADMINISTRATION.
When was hOnored with seat in the Senate of
the United States expected to support the Admin
istration which then came into power The tasks it
was called to perform of unusual Importance.
The civil war Its logical results the aboli-
ton of Slavery and the organization of free labor
society in the South, just being reduced to
political form and imbedded in the Constitution of
the Republic. 1t remained fortfv those results by
recOnciIng to them tine minds of the Southern people
so that their development could be securely left TO
the working of local self gOvernment instead of the
rule of force. To this end a WISE and generous
pohcy, appealing to the best instincts of human
nature. was required to assuage the passions and
ahlInoStles the war had left behind it, and to make
those VINO had been overcome in the conflict of arms
rs much as possible satisfied with the new order of
things During period of great public danger the
constltutonal restrictions OF power had not unfre-
quently yielded to commanding necessity The Law
mad been overrdden by the exigences of the moment
and the people had become accustomed to a govern
ment of force 1t necessary to restore the nteo
T1tv of the law and it respected by the
party as well as by those who were governed Great
abuses had cTept into the public service aggravated
by the irregular practices of warlike tunes. The
public interest imperatively demanded thorough
reform. The people were loaded down with enor-
nous burdens, and. while willing to bear all for
their country, they looked for reasonable relief
through sound financial policy.
THE ADMINISTRATIONS EXTRAORDINARY oPPoRTU-
MITES AND EXTRAORDINARY FAILURES.
While these problems were uncommonly perplex-
ing the incoming Administration was favored with
extraordinary opportunities. The ruling party had
welded almost undisputed power. 1t had q great
history behind 1T from which it might have drawn
"oOie inspiration for new Efforts, aiming at some