The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-10-28

than a hundred VINO uon WIFI MN W 81,
Il but who resolutely stay at home ana
say nothing about ii until it IS too late, ana
then indulge in the luxury Of grumphng.
What we desire and hope for from tnH
oranges upon this subject is that tney WV,
give shane. consistency and dehnlhveness
"a that diffusive public opinion when now
unorgan;zed is heard rather IN criticism,
than direction and that law makers ana
D,,bl;c mon shall realize at least that thert
Z a roserye force which, though slow OF
sncecb will speak, and that when private
IA snecial interests are clamorous 1t Il
safe IN wait until those general interests
con he considered which are often the mrs
~ suffer and the last 10 be heard.
One subject will doubtless soon be pre-
sented for legislation of the greatest I'M
portance 10 a large body OF the farmers Q
this state and on which they ought 10 p
heard-that Of irrigation.
CANALS FOR IRRIGATION AND TRANST
TATION. n this
Another question in connecticut using
subiect will be the practicabih' irrigation
the same canals for purposes
and transportation. tance that at
II is of the highest I'D adopt the best
the outset the state fare cannot be given
system. and too mot its details, The re-
to the arrangernissiOn of engineers ap
mort of the &C general government TO
pointcd bynnoisance of the state will
make u furnish facts of great value in
doubt at correct conclusion. trust
arrirmers, who are most interested, will
te the matter their patient, careful and
intelligent attention, 80 that we shall have
he benefit of full discussion and free in-
.erchange of opinion instance this as
striking case but if the oranges shall sue
ceed in giving the affairs of local govern
ment that consequence and attention TO
which they are entitled, they will do an in-
good.
We seem, as people, to have quadri-
ennial attack of insanity over a presidential
election How we do save the country
with speeches and professions, and the
burning of tar and turpentine, the blaze of
Roman candles and sky rockets, and the
explosion OF gunpowder. Distant be the
day when the election of n president of the
United States shall not be considered a
matter of grave Importance. That is the
occasion when sense of the unity of our
country is made most vivid and real to us
all. But the election of supervisors, school
directors, and local officers are often OF
more immediate concern to our individual
well being. Good reads, schools, correct
administration of justice in affairs of daily
life, taxes imposed only for common benefit
and correctly expended, are
THINGS THAT TOUCH Us WHERE WE LIVE.
Are real every day. Local officers, too,
who are amenable 20 the criticism Of THEN
neighbors, should have the benefit of theil
intelligent and friendly counsel, so that loca
administration shall be directed as far a:
possible by the common neighborhood sen
timent of what is right There is a home
~ proverb, take care Of the pennies anC
the pounds will take care of themselves
II the local affairs of our country are wise
{ ~ administered the general administrator
will not be far wrong Indeed government
/ is a growth from within, and the tru,
character Of any government depends up
I on the local institutions of the country. anC
| these in last resort upon the average char
acter of the people themselves Frame
[ finds that exterior changes in government
are ephermeral, often only changes q
name, because local institutions and interi
or administration remains the same. Thes
are the springs and wheels, and the clocl
strikes the hour wherever the hands ma,
point. II by constant attention in eacl
neirhborhood we can succeed in gettinl
our public schools as nearly perfect as pos
sible, we shall take bond Of fate for tn
security of free institutions Emerson
says our New England ancestors discover
ed that the pomps and shows Of royalty
with horse guards and foot guards. BIZ
wigs and little wigs, knights of the be,
chamber, etc, were unnecessary. Perhap
they were too poor to afford them. Sc
lectmeu' would answer the purpose an,
were cheaper hence the democratic prin
ciple and the representative republican
government We must keep the source
pure il we would have the stream clear
and not allow republican shows TO destro,
republican simplicity
Concluded tomorrow