Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-04-25
Dailp ARGUS.
Gov. Palmer at Springfield.

The following is brief synopsis Of Gov
PSlmsr's speech at Springfield, which vs
copy from the Chicago Times of yesterday
His appearance on the platform was the
signal for great applause. The meeting
was com posed almoSi entirely Of Republi-
oAna. and the references made 70 the early
hi..orv If aha PARTY, and the comparisons
be,wssp the political situation ct the time
Of the formation Of that party and now.
we're greatly applsuded. The meeting is
significant enough 10 be considered the open.
ing Of the campaign in Illinois.
Gov. Palmer, after few preliminary re-
marks, claimed that be violated no canon Of
good taste 10 appearing before them to de-
tend his political opinions and party rels-
tions. As Governor OF Illinois he had no
other means Of reaching public opinion than
those open 10 private citizens. He had no
offices 10 give away to gain defenders. The
particular occasion Of the present gathering
was the faot thss no had announced his in
tenlions Of not being a candidate before the
state convention for the office Of Governor.
Not that alone, but the reasons he had given
for the siepl, and which hsd been made the
subject OF extensive criticism. He was
glad 10 see so many present, aud also nom.
bers OF the press. To his old paper no had
sent letter announcing thar be would not
be candidate for Governor al the conven.
ton. Gov. Palmer read from tt letter
which has already appeared in the Times
10 this letter he expressed the view that the
chief objeot Of the coming state convention
would be TO elect delegates who would be
favorable to The denomination and cleo
ton Of GRAFT, and after giving other reasons
stated his determination not 70 work in his
support, and consequently net 10 desire the
nomination for Governor. After q playful
criticism on the paper pellets which had
been hurled ~ him by vArisus journals,
Gov. Palmer traced his connection with the
Republican party to the time Of its incep-
zion in 1856, and showed how clear had
been his record, both rs q Republican and
soldier, and then proceeded TO discuss the
question Why the present assembly had been
called. lie said that Republicans al over
the country we're deeply concerned for the
future Of the party. He loved the party
with which he had been associated for so
many years. Selfish, greedy, venAl men
might be able TO throw OF the obligations
and associations Of party without effort, but
earnest men struggled long ere they sepAr-
a,ed from their political friends. The trne
Republicans desired to maintain the party
in order that the best interests Of the coun
try might be forwarded; and yet there were
questions on which the party nigh, probably
separate. The wants Of the hour dictated
it's duties. Old battles could not be fought
over again They must address themselves
20 the issues OF the present, and what are
they2
They must have in this country pure
aud honest government. The people o.,
the country must determine TO inAu9urate
reforms, they must demand official honesty;
they must Insist on official responsibility.
The issues raised by the war were past. and
the naked question now was, shall the
government from the highest to the lowest,
be responsible 10 the people Shall they
be honest men An Rttampt must be
made to srGdionte the abuses which had
orept into the government, and 10 which
enough attention had not, up to the present
tme, been directed. The ideas Of the
middle ages seemed TO be the guiding ones
Of head officials, bat they must make WAY
for the more enlightened doctrines Of mo-
dern civilization. Again they must have
the constitution and laws restored to all parts
Of the republic. The cardinal doctrine of
the republican party was equality, and il
must be carried out, for no party, no gov
ernment, could live IL il disovned its own
fundamental, osrdinel doctrine. He wiah-
ed to see the same doctrine applied to the
white man 81 the South IS was applied TO the
oolored man; TO al alike within limits of the
republic. The governor quoted from his
kentucky letter, dated last year, on this
point. The views be then expressed in ia
yor OF universal amnesty were absolutely
essential nov 20 perfect restoration of the
government and TO enable them to hand
down to their soma that free government
which they received from their fathers.
Again u was perfectly manifest-aud
here be hneW that he vAs treAding on dan
gerous ground-thsf the principles Of the
constitution mast again be asserted with re-
spscl TO the right of local committees TO
regulate and manage their own affairs.
lie illustrated this point by reference 70 the
action OF the President placing Chicago m.
der military rule, ana oontended that his
OBJ sctious, - contained in his oorrespon-
dsnco with the government had been en-
dorsed by The action OF the house Of repre-.
senia,lvss. The federal government Of 10.
day was a mere Bureaucracy, the 90 900
oIhoera OF which held their positions entire.
ly 81 the will Of one man. The result of
this was tina: these officers became active
political agents a. we'll after as before their
appointment. The difference In the case Of
state officers, who were elected By the peo
pie, was pointed cui, and with much earnest.
ness Gov. Palmer commended that il was Alb
Holuiely essential 20 the liberties of the
people of the United States that the people
should be Aushorized to elect a large nun.
Der Of local officers, possmAsters, assessors,
ETC., who were appointed BY the federal gov.
ernment These officers oauld then be
mainly Independent men He could see no
reason why the people could not be trusted
to make these selections.
Gov. Palmer then referred at great
length to has position on the question of
locsl rights. He said he gladly accepted
IrumbulIH definition, aud was in favor of
the authority Of local govern
nsnss. lie spoke Of his own experience Of
martial law, and showed how great was the |
Hanger attending its execution. Grant
stood before the people convicted Of viala-
slou OF the constitution and laws, for he had
Il on Trustworthy authority ,hA, Gen. Sher.
man declined IN TIE first place TO send .
troops TO Ao1 as police in Chicago until .
ordered to do so by Grant. He would give
authority for the statement il desired.
They came, then, to the other question
What are you going to do about iI2 Were
bis republican friends TO acI with copper
hsAdS2 Well, he knew that for several
elections they had been trying to get COP
oorhsAds to act with them. He knew that
irAns gave the able confederate leader,
ten. Longssreet, fat berth in New
orleans, and surely if the President took
uch men into his charge, they could NOT do
10 harm being simply republicans, in fol-
owing his footsteps. But we're they any
oppsrhssdI? We're they any democrats =?
There used to be sbolitionisls. What had
scome Of shem? They had been abolish.
d, and Aboli,ionism had burnt itself out
The rebellion ended seven years ago, and
here was nov nobody to fight. What
Isrs the democrats fighting about. He did
ot particularly know. Democrats do not
ssire to re-sstSblish slavery nor to deprive
ne nsgroe Of suffrage. II this was so, what
Inference, then, was there between them