The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-10-07
THE ANTI-MoNoPoLY MOVEMENT.

Extracts from the Speech Of Col. Richard p
Morgan, Jr., at saybrOok, Ill, Sept. liza
straightforward Presentation Of Practical
Truths.
The people of this country, so far as their
present relations to politics exist may be
divided into three classes
First-The vast majority of the voters Of
all political parties. with varying shades of
political opinions. who neither seek nor de-
sire any official station, but who act with
the party most nearly representing their
opinions with no other motive than an
honest desire 20 promote the public welfare
and 20 advance the interests Of the whole
country by the adoption of such measures
a., in their judgement, are most like to attain
that end.
Secoud-A much smaller number Of
men. that spring from the first class by
the force Of their opinions on questions OF
public policy, actuated by just and laud-
able ambition to serve the people in official
stations, so that they may be able to pro
mote the triumph of the opinions which they
honestly entertain. and who possess a fixed
determination To discharge with fidelity the
duties ofany position to which they may be
advanced.
A third class, very much larger than the
last, consists Of professional politicians and
habitual office seekers, belonging now 10 one
and then to another political party, as pros
poets of success vary, without political priu-
ciples, and aiming only at their personal
advantage regardless of the public good and
the obligations in the trusts they receive
from the people. These are the men who
manipulate caucuses and conventions and.
having secured the nominations tp office of
persons likely to join III their schemes, they
BY loud professions ofpatriotism aud vehe-
meut appeals 10 party discipline, succeed in
influencing the honest members of their
party 70 vote for nominations not fit TO be
made.
Idesire TO say, in this connection, that my
remarks are general, and not byany means
personal
These corrupt and unscrupulous men. in
and out of office, from the almost innumera-
bic political rings which now intest the coun-
try,-the Court House rings, Tammany
rings, Credit Mobilier rings, whisky rings.
railroad rings, and the thousand other cor
rupt combinations existing in almost every
County, City and State lnthewhole country.
These combinations and the evil effects
they have produced. have become generally
known, and are no longer denied And
the enormous frauds which they have aud
are constantly perpetrating upon the peo-
pie, have excited we!l-tounded alarm and
Just indignation
Vast amounts Of capital are concentrate
ed, and contribute freely to the support of
these eonsnirators Take. torinstance the
capital invested in railroads in each State
that invested in National Banks that in
large manufacturing corporations, mainly
situated in q few localities managed by
able and sagaciOus mon, many of whom are
also INSCRIPTIONS Is it then 10 be wond.
cred at that members Of Congress and OF
State Legislatures, nominated 10 those
offices in the manner suggested. should yield
to their influence, and should, a. there is
too much reason to believe. often accept
brihcs.
These allegations of infdelity topubliC
duty apply To each Of the existing political
parties. While IN each there are many
honorable and trustworthy officers, they
are unfortunately "A minority, and their
efforts against these combinations are Oi
necessity unavailing. The masses OF both
parties have interests III commOn, and are
alike honest in their desire to pomote thu
general welfare ; yet the wire pullers, whost
business it Is to live by party politics, aidcC
by the machinery OF their respective partie,
have succeeded in controlling both. Til,
activity and watchfulness Of these men
together with too strong party spirit
which they are careful 10 cultivate amouj
the people, have enabled them 10 contro
public affairs, both in the States and Natiol
until the evils produced have reached al
appalling magnitude.
Its for this reasen we are here to-day
hrankino auav from old Dolitical affiliations