Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-03-15
NKw YoaK. March 70 1879

NkW 1Ohhs mhrcn IL lSTZ.
The ILLUSTRATED ARGus was received, |
and il is . satisfaction to know that the
disreputable characters who have brought
disgrace upon the good name Of Rock
Island, have been notified by the people to
retire. 1t is particularly gratifying to me
to know that my friends Geo Copp and Gus
Stengel are elected. Our candidate in the
irst wsrd, Mr.. Shearer 10 . good and true
man, and l should have greatly rejoicsd in
his success-but the ward is not Democratic
and his election could hardly have been ex-
Peeted. The fourth is a Democratic ward, and
tits a pity candidate was not presented Who
could uoise the party and add strength to
the wicket. Bat the lessons of the past may
be useful in the future--if mos forgotten.
The defeat Of Mr.. Davenport is public
calAmity-but it did not disappoint me, for
know the very bitter aud very unjust pref.
udices which exist against him. His close
approach to an election, 70 change of "a
votes would have ensured itl however,
shows that he has hos. OF warm and true
friends. very much regret that could
not have been there to help little towards
his election. IL is really matter of wonder
that people who ought to be his
friends can be made TO hsten
TO the mean and senseless olamor
raised against him BY . few personal enc
mics Of his. Why is it7 What has he
done, or left uudoue, which should excite
the luminosity Of any one2 Certainly his
personal appearance cannot be Objections
BILE. Nor can his manners or hab
its be found fault with. He is kind, gentle,
and generous to all. The poorest aud he m
blest person always receives his kind and
considerable attention, - and be never cringes
TO wealth or power. No vulgar, or obscene,
or profane word ever escapes his lips. No
place Of immortality or lawlessness is ever
honored or encouraged by his presence.
His example, every where, morally, socially,
and politically, is creditable alike to him
self, his city, and his party. His simple
and unostentstious life, Notwithstanding his
great wealth his plain. frank. and honest
ways; his rigid ind unbsnding honesty
and integrity, mark him as . man to be
hOnOred wherever he goes. Why is it, then,
that he has such bitter enemies? 1t seems
to me that his enemies should be divided
into two classes First, those who envy
him his good fortune, pecuniArily. And,
second, those who have desire to rule him,
or who. having tried to bend him to their
personal schemes, hate him because they
cannot use him. Are these reasons why
the mass Of the people should dislike
him? OF course not. Let all
persons think and act for themselves,
with no dleIatioa or influence from person
81 enemies, and there would be vsry few
who are not friendly to Bailey Davenport
Place any OF his enemies IN his position to-
day, with all the circumstances attending
his life, his property, add the murder Of bis
honored father, and dou bt ii they coold So
satisfactorily fill his place. | would con
slider 1t more honor, to-day, TO be numbered
among the men who voted for him, in de-
feat, than among those who contr buted to
the sbort-lved aud not very creditable vic
tory OF his opponent. Bailey Davenport is
q man whom 90 one may be ashamed Of
supporting. He is man Who can Eli any
office 10 the County, or the State, with
credit. His City and his County, if no, his
State, will ys, have need ofhis services.
10 SLING the numerous city Offices hope
1 our s!dermAnic friends will not deem it im-
q proper tor me to say that they should be
very careful to select none but the most
, suitable neu. Let 70 man be placed in
office for personal reasons. The aldermen
7 are not to act for themselves or their per.
I sonal friends. Their frat du.y is to the
+ PeoPle-dH the people Of the city--their
second to their party. Let no man have
! any place who will no, be credit frat, to
! the city, and second, to the Democratic
: party. If they will act rigidly upon tais
principle they need have no fear about the
result of the next election.
/ intended TO have written about some
Z other matters when | commenced, bp,
g space will not permit it now.
D J. B. D. JR.