Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-07-15


IN Congress, the rights Of those States are
nfringed aud trampled upon, and that Ca.
sarism and Capitalization are undermining
he very foundations Of our federal system,
aud are sweeping away the constitutional
bulwArks erected by the wisdom Of the ia
theirs Of the Republic that abuses have been
so glazing that the wisest and best men of
the Republican party have severed them
selves from the Radical Ring which is try
ing TO fassen upon the country smother four
years reign Of corruption, usnrpasion, and
depotism and, Whatever individual opinion
we may entertain as TO the choice OF the
candidate whom they haze selected ia oppo-
sition 10 Gen. Grant, there cannot be any
doubt ofthe patriotic impulses when dietst,
ed their action, nor can any fault DO found
with the platform Of principles upon which
they have placed their candidate.
The resolutions Of the CINCINNATI Con-
yention are what the country require, and
thew must command the hearty support OF
syery patriU, throus hout the vast extent OF
our land. In the struggle that is before us
we must look to principles and not TO men,
and trust that no personal predictions
or pre- I'D ces will deter as from doing any |
duty 20 the American people. Gen. Grant
WAS n EOOQ anu ihluiuA hblulUI NNAlAk Oui I
civil war. His stubborn and indomitable !
courage has hell ped to crown the Union arms
with victory, aud the American people have
rewarded his services with the most IN
| bounded generosity. ! am willing TO con-
cede that his intentions on taking the Pres
idensial chair were good and patriotic, but
/ be has most siEnslly and sadly failed IN the
| discharge Of the high trust imposed upon
him by the confidence Of a grateful people.
He is al this moment the mere personhca-
ton Of the misrule which Ia expressing us,
aud his reelection is frsught with the most
deplorsble consequences for the welfare OF
the republic, and endangers the liberty OF
our people.
Oa the other hand, Mr. Greeley has been
heretofore bitter opponent OF the Demo
cratic party, and the violent attacks against
myself individually which have from time 10
time appeared in his journal, certainly do
! not entitle him TO E1y sympathy or prefer.
ence at my hands. Bot Mr. Greeley repre-
sents the national aud Constitutional prln-
ciples Of the Cincinnati platform, and by
bis admirable aud manly letter Of accept
, Auce, he has shown that he is fully alive TO
their spirit, and that, if elected, he means
TO carry them honestly and faithfully
Should you, therefore, 10 your wisdom, de-
eide 20 pronounce in favor OF the Cinciu-
r natl candidates, | shall for one oheerfuly
bury all past differences, and vote and 'abor
for his election with the same zeal aud en-
ergy with which / have supported hereto
e fore, and mean ever TO support, the Candi-
!. date Of the Democratic party. The Ameri-
can people look with deep solicitude to your
deliberations. 1t is for you TO devise
means by which TO free them from the evils
under which they are suffering. Bat, IN
5 order 70 attain that end, you are called upon
, 10 make every sacrifice of personal and
party preference However much you
might desire 90 fight the coming battle for
our rights anu liberties under one of the
= trusted leaders of the Democratic party, 1t
will become your duty TO discard ell con
siderations Of party tradition if the selec-
ton Of good and wise man outside OF our
ranks offers better chAnces Of success
You must remember that you are here not
only as Democrats ibut rs citizens OF ogr
common country, and that no sacrifice eau
be too great which she demands At your
hands. Aud now, before l propose 10 your
acceptance the TEN porsrv Chairman Of this
b Convention, permit me TO detain you one
moment longer by few words OF az entire
~ personal character.
With my present action terminates my
official functions as Chairman OF the Ma.
+. ,ionsl Democratic Committee-au office
which, BY the confidence Of my constituents
aud the courtesy Of my colleagues, ] have
held for twelve consecutive years. During
ell that time ! have striven with honest
; zeal, and with al the energy and capacity
, which God has given me, 10 do my duty
81 F41Is IL.
and 20 render 10 vBelf worthv OF the great
trust coudded 20 me. While | was grieyed
and deeply mortified TO see at various times
my motives and actions misconsrrued BY
several Democratic papers, and that some
even descended to the fabrication Of the
most absurd fslsehoods concerning my so
cisl Snd political conduct, have the proud
aud consoling satisfaction that my oo.ieag.
ues on the National Committee and all those
who know me did justice TO the integrity
aud purity Of my intentions in all the trying
situations in which my official position had
placed me and let me tell you, gentlemen,
! that there Is not one among you who bears
u warmer and truer affection for our party
and our country that / have done or ever
shall do. You love this great republic
7 your native land, as you do the mother who
q khHb you btIkA UAk 30 N06 bA6 Is tue GE0F
ished bride, and choice Of my youth, tbs
faithful and loving companion Of my man
y hood and now that ] enter up9i
z the sere and yellow leaf OF life,
!. cling to her with al. the fond rscol
lsctons OF the manifold blessings received a
her hands. / retire from the position which
have held to take my place in tho rauA
? and file of that great party whose national
T constitutional, and conservative principles
have claimed my unwavering allegiance fol
the last 30 years, and "a long as the al.
mighty will spare my life shall never faltel
IN my love and devotion TO our party and
our country.
/ have the honor 20 propose to you, az
your temporary Chairman, q distinguished
and venerable citizen of Virginia, q grand
son OF the patriot and statesman, Thomas
Jefferson. 1t is al suspicious omen that g
scion OF the author of the Declaration Of
Independence Is to inaugurste the struggle
Of the Democracy for freedom and equality
for every American citizen, and against op
preston and tyranny in our fair land.
MR RANDOLPH SPEECH.
. am aware that the very great honol
conferred on me by this body is due 10 no
personal merit of my own, but a token oil
respect to the State from which l come
, and a recognition Of other circumstances,
. possibly adventitious. | am, perhaps the
Oldest member of this body, and life of SO
years spent in the Democratic Republican
> party constitutes me q senior member.
remember freshly every Presidential con ses
8 from the frat election of Jefferson to the
a present time, and | can say with truth thai
| remember none which involved higher
questions Of personal liberty, selfgovern.
/ ment, honest administration, and cous,itu
tionAl freedom than the present, or one
which demanded of our party and our PEG,
pie more earnest response to
prudential principles. II strikes me as the
duty of this hour and of this body to wrest
the Government from the hands Of its pre-
sent despotic and corrupt holders, and to
place il in honeat hands. 10 restore To the