The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-08-28
GOV, PALNER's sPERCH

GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION Il
had no expectation until since l entereo
this hall this afternoon to take any part ~
the deliberations OF this body other tnan ~
a delegate. When was INFORMED
that had been selected to preslde over
this body, my first impression was that the
selection was not a proper one. rarity
conventions, if they accomplish the objects
far which they are convened, should be
comnosed of men who agree in the great
objects which they have met to promote.
So far as am concerned, have been !or
years acting with political organization
with which differ at present. For years,
indeed until 1872, did not act with many
of the gentlemen that see before me to-,
day. It is true that in the earlier days OF
nv life acted with the Democratic party,
and see before me many gentlemen BY
whose side | have for years waged ruinous
warfare against what | believed to be Sc.
rious error. We were separated by ques-
tons that have passed away, and we are
reunited again to-day on principles that
were cherished by me then, and that were
simply lost sight of by more pressing and
and earnest questions. This convention
to-day is composed in measure of mer
who have heretofore differed. We have
differed in regard to questions that were
Of moment: yet they were temporary anC
have passed away. This convention has
assembled with view of recognizing, with
view Of addressing our minds to the
present demands of the hour. 1t is called
that we may forget the prejudices of the
past, and unite now for the yindication OF
correct principles and bring the country
back to it's original position. Applause
Gentlemen, the duties of a free citizen are
those of overcoming obligation. It's not
enough for you, or myself, to say that we
did our duty twenty, or ten, or one year
ago or yesterday. The duty of free
man is now, at this moment. 1t makes no
difference, gentlemen, what were my views
of public policy five years ago. 1t can
make no difference with you what were
the party names we bore five or ten years
ago. 1t is your duty and mine, having an
eve single to the glory and honor OF our
country and to the wel-being of our fellow
citizens, to learn the duties of this time,
to discharge the duties Of this hour as be-
comes free men and citizens responsible to
God and our own country for the manner
in which we perform them. Gentlemen,
for ten or fifteen years, while the people
of this country have been excited over civ
il war and other struggles that separate us
from large portion of the country, false
principles Of government have been accept
ed instead of the truths of Republican gov
ernment Abuses haye grown up until we
are not to-day certain whether this is in
deed Democratic Republican govern
ment, or whether We are upon the eve OF a
change that shall deprive the people in
form, as they are already deprived in fact,
OF the right and power to govern them
selves. Applause. The object of this
assembly to-day is to inaugurate anew the
struggle, to win back for the people good
government--not only good government,
but one giving to the people the right to
govern themselves. Gentlemen tell me
that good government can be obtained
by this measure or that | tell
you that the only government that
is worth having is that government adj
mlnistered by free men, of which they
themselves are at once the rulers and the
subjects am content to submit to bad
government, if it is a government Of my
own. am not willing to submit to any
other government, except that OF the Su-
preme Being, if it ASSUMES to be ID master
| desire to unite with men Of all past pc.
litical positionS-with old Democrats and
old Republicans - to win back and estab
lish Democratic Republican institutions in
this country, where the people shall GOV
ern themselves where the people shall
have that which they earn. and shall not
be required to surrender any more of their
earnings than they themselves think Jus,
to bestoW. Presiding over convention
composed IN this manner is somewhat nov
ell to me. The gentlemen | see before me
are Democrats and, gentlemen, while |
have had occasion to differ with you in
times past, | learned two years ago what
sacrifices you could make for your country,
mean two years ago, when you had con
sented to vote for Greeley, you made large
sacrihces, such sacrifices as patriots alone
can make for the advancement and vel
fare OF their country. | know, gentlemen
of the Reform party, you have made every
sacrifice of mere feeling to advance the
welfare of our country. Let me assure
you IN that you evince your patriotism, and
that you place country first and in future.
when the political history of that country
is written, it will be recorded that the
Democratic party for the sake ot restor-
ing free government, in voting for greeley
in 1872, performed an act of LIaynanmitv.
OF patriotism, unheard Of in this or any
other country. Gentlemen, you are re
CURED to make no such sacrifice now
The preiudices of the past are gradually
disappearing, and tree men are seeing, eye
to eye, and will toll shoulder to shoulder,
for the advancement and well being of the
country. Cheers, This is not an occa-
sion on which | could ask you to listen to
me moment longer. | am informed that
your committees are about ready TO report,
While l preside, | shall preside with fair
ness and lmpartiality. l ask you to assist
NE IN enforcing the rules of order. Let
US have order let us have free speech
don { let US hurry; let us take time-the
world was not made in day 1t gentle
men desire to address you upon any aues
ton, none of US are too old to learn. Let
us De patent. t0rbearing, regardful of the
nights OF each. Let us deliberate here to |
day. SO that we shall leaye no heartburn |
lngs' no resentment, no ill-feelng when we |
go out. One word more. Don't let rs 90 |
out to defend. Defend nothing The |
worst policy for political party to defend
l think it was Napoleon who said. While
the enemy is looking after your TANKS. let
him remember that he has TANKS himself
Aggression, aggression. aggression and in
1916, You will restore this government to
the control of the people themselves. That
Will be the result of your determined Of,
forts, Cheers. Gentlemen. theconven-
tlon is now organized and ready to proceed
to business. p'o000N
Ihe organization, the committees. and
the platform were published in THE Danny