The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-05-26
THE GERMAN REVOLT.


ais. II has suddenly occurred to these
men who have been bone and sinew Of the
Radical party, that they have been oppos-
ing their own interests and building up
stronghold for their enemies Democratic
papers have told them as much for years
but they have nevertheless persisted in
their allegiance to the Republican leaders
and organization Not only in Illinois,
but the country over, the Germans have
at every election contributed TO the success
of the Republican party, and now. after
having obtained power through their as
sistance this same party turns upon them
with ferocity that is unaccountable In
the campaign Of last year no leaders or
candidate on either side were as foully be
smeared with yituperation and abuse as
the Germans who dared to act with indie
pendance The villi6cation of Schurz and
Koerner is well remembered by the read
ers of THE ARGUS, and representative
Germans in other States were as shame
fully dealt with by the Republican press and
politicians. These things have opened the
eyes of the Germans and they are prepar-
ing now TO pay back in kind Even Hes
sing; of the Illinois Stats ZeitRg, who,
when the revolt was inaugurated last year,
threw the weight of his own and his pa
pcr's influence into the scale in favor of
Grant has grown wiser since the election,
and now boldly proclaims that duty and in
terest point the Germans from the Repub-
lican camp.
\ large meeting of Germans was held
on Wednesday night of last week, at which
Mr. Hessing editor Of the Stats ZeituRg,
the German Republican organ Of Chicago.
was the principal speaker Many leading
Germans of both political parties were
present Mr.. Francis A. Hoffman, Jr., a
prominent Liberal, and Mr.. Hessing ap-
preached each other on the platform and
shook hands, as a formal recognition OF the
union Of all the Germans Of Chicago in the
same political organization The affair
was the signal for immense cheering on
the part Of all present .,
The causes Of this revolt are specifically
set forth in the speeches and resolutions Of
the meeting They relate principally TO
the spirit Of fanaticism and Puritanism
which seems 10 actuate and control a ma
iority of the Republican party. The Ger
mans base their cause upon the funda-
mental principles of personal liberty. The
intolerant spirit which has been shown
towards them and others, on the so-called
temperance question, is the moving incen-
tive 70 revolt.
Mr. Hessings programme was distinctly
cnuuciated in his speech, which was print
ed authoritively in his paper, the Stadts
Zeitung He said
1t is the interest and duty Of the Ger
man Republicans who have heretofore
been in the majority, ~ let the Democrats
and the Liberals step to the foreground, to
give them the custody of the foffices.
1t makes no difference to me under what
banner / go into the fight, if the flag only
waves on tn victory. The whole north
west yes, the whole country, is looking u
Chicago at this moment, full Of expecta-
ton. For the cause for which we fight is
not only the cause of the German, but the
cause of the workingman. And every
German who is not with us in this cause is
traitor To Germankiud.
Hessinr and his friends are thoroughly
aroused and mean business, and have al
ready foreshadowed programme for the
fall campaign in Cook county The Chica
60 Tribune explains hemovement thus
Locally, it means this that the Ger
mans shall break off from the Republican
party, allow the Democrats 10 make tn,
next ticket for city officers, aud then cleo
and support the men whom they shall pu
forward. This in brief, is Mr.. Hessing
programme. He does not stand alone il
the departure. He counts among his CO
laborers most ofth county oflicialsin Cool
county, and all the Republicans who owe
their places 10 Mr.. Hesing influence. HC
also counts a large number of non-pOlitical
Germans, who have freely declared of late
that they will never vote the Republican
ticket again The movement is fairly
started
But this movement will not be confined
to Chicago. In tho very nature Of events
it will extend until It embraces the great
mass Of Germans who have heretofore
acted with the party in power. There i.
no mistaking the drift Of sentiment among
this people They long ago discovered thai
they had no sympathies or interests il
common with the Republican party under
it, present leadership and management
and have only awaited decent opportuni
ty 10 sever partnership that has beer
humilating and Improbable The Chca
60 Tribune, after looking over the pro
gramme concludes that the revolt inaugu
rated viii spread. 1t says
Whether or not Mr.. Hessing and hi
followers propose to extend this movement
against the Republican party beyond the
limits Of Chicago remains n be seen.
There are several circumstances that would
indicate as much While Mr.. Hessinp
speaks Of the whole northwest and the
whole country as watching the Chicago
movement expectantly, he would seem t.
indicate general movement Of the samC
nature TO extend throughout the country
and to rebuke what the Germans regard as
the Puritan element in the Republican
party. This conclusion would also b,
reached from Mr.. Hessings expression
There are no Colfaxes and Oakcs Ames
among US, Il. c., the Germansl, and if Their,
were any, they would be thrown overheard
with contempt, and no public reception
would be prepared for them as for a Col
fax IL is not to be supposed that 81
staunch party man as Mr.. Messing would
take this position unless he saw signs else
where Of general breakingup of parties.
Another assurance that these men dc
not intend " retreat from the position
they have taken is found in their readiness
to unite aud act with any party that viii
contest with them the advance of the de
generate Republican organization as nov
composed and managed They arc bold I,
avow that they are not sticklers for a nam,
but desire to be enrolled in a party tina
has for It's fundamental planks the essen
tial guarantees of life, liberty and the pur
suit Of happiness, untrammelled BY abnor
NAL restraints or iliberal onactments
Upon such platform they seek fellowship
with the Democratic and Liberal party ant
pledge its principles and candidates an un
ialtering support.