The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-07-30
CHI Gully Arous,


DemOcfatlc nOStS everywhere engaged
We should be found at our posts doing
battle in the common cause, that no breach
may be found i'm our whole line. Other
conventions have already met, nominated
their candidates and opened the campaign;
and our time will now come to place candi
dates in the tield-candidates to win
whether strietly party candidates, will be
for the convention to decide, but candi
dates possessing merit and sound princi.
pies, whether selected from Democrats
proper or from other good men co-operat-
ing with them.
But principles are to be settled in this
contest! During the late session of Con
gress we have witnessed the discussions
which threatened for a season to produce
disruption in the ranks of the Republi
cans, upon that question which. in my
Judgment, is the all-absorbing one Of the
day-the question of Finance, On this
question, too, it must be admitted that
other parties have disagreed. Indeed, 1t
can scarcely be said that on this question
any party has 50 far been found entirely
to agree. | trust, however, that, with the
Illinois Democracy, a rule, as simple as il
is fair and reasonable, may be adopted as
the best compromise for all to meet upon
| refer to the i~attorm, upon this ques-
ton, of the National Democratic Conven
ton, assembled at Baltimore in 1872, and
which was ldenticalin words with that of the
Liberal Convention at Cincinnati in the
same year, viz. That Il speedy return
to specie payment is demanded alike nv
the highest considerations of commercial
morality and honest government" TINS
pn alSn roafEr,,,l h., A. Hit. A..
racy IN their last convention, and is in fact
the platform on which we stand to- day.
The condition of the country is not essent-
tally different from that Of two years ago,
and no good reason has yet been urged for
Il departure from the principles then set
forth. Here, too, az in most questions OF
public policy, the true and safe ground is
To be found between the two extremes.
We should thus avoid, on the one hand,
the errors and disasters of the advocates of
an irredeemable paper currency. whose
policy OF imitation, it is feared by many,
must result in national dishonor; and, on
the other, Of those who favor an imme-
diate resumption Of specie payment, a
proposition to be regarded as unreasona-
Bile, oppressive and improbable.
Such a declaration would be brief and
to the point, and in striking contrast with
the ambiguous language employed by
Republicans in the platform recently
adopted in this State. In a word, it offers
"a safe compromise ground, on which all
may come together, act together, and at
the same time maintain a principle as old
as the name of Democracy itself.
On some other questions clear and un-
equivocal expressions of opinion are re-
CURED of the Democracy. We are called
on, as "a party, to utter our sentiments in
reference to tree trade. Without reserve
we may declare ourselves, as we have al
ways done, in favor OF the policy of buying
in the cheapest market and sellirg in the
dearest.
'The contest now being waged between
the farming interests and the railroads
and other %monopolies, is one to which we
canno be Indifferent. The agricultural
has unquestioned and grievous
wrongs to complain of, and the Democracy
should stand pledged to their redress
without, however, violating a single vested
right, or resorting to the extreme legisla
ton which has proved embarrassing in
other States.
Il cannot torhear a~llusion to the excite
ment prevailing in some sections of the
State, especially in the larger cities, upon
the question of personal liberty. On this
point the Democratic party can have
new creed to make, and no old
one to unuake. 1t has ever advocat-
ed, as it must continue to do, the largest
freedom for the citizen consistent with the
of the State and the cause of good
government.
- 4 nj ~, as 20 thn n,,o.,;onc ~ ,nnn,,
in the public service. internal improve
by the General Government, the
spoliation of the public lands and other
such issues, the position of the Democracy
has been uniform, and upon these, full and
elaborate statements are only called for in
Convention.
while, gentlemen, in issuing the call
for this meeting, | have felt that | could
include the Liberal Republican Com
as advised by certain friends to our
cause. without exoeeding my authority, i
have dom the next best thing | could in
he premises in having extended to all op-
posed to existing evils, and anxious for
their removal by the overthrow of Repub
an invitation to CO operate with
us in the campaign on which we are about
to enter. | nave specially invited several
llStllRulsIiCu GCullSHCh ulCtb W WI
this occasion, that we may be aided by the
of their counsels, and enlist their
support in the work before us,
and | now further suggest that all such be
invited to unite with US in signing a call
for the convention.
After some preliminary business the
meeting adjourned til! 2:3O O'Clock, when
call was presented fora meeting of the
Democrats, Liberals and other opponents
Of the Republican party, in Springfield on
Wednesday, the Goth of August. The
call is signed by members of the commit
who were present, aud is endorsed by
A number of persons who have formerly
with the Republican party, among
whom are A. G. Hesing and Herman Ras-
Ter, of the Illinois Stats Zeitung. The
of. r. Dunlittle, and OF A.,R. Mat
.ison of the Times, also appear.