The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-12-16
The 99ailg grens.


Exchange of Compliments Between Mr..
Phelps and his Successful Competitor
in the With Jersey District.
From the NewarA Advertiser,
The correspondence between Congress
man Phelps and Congressman~elect Cutler
is published in full. The former in his
letter says 81 shall not contest your seat
all rumors to the contrary notwlthstand-
ing | have no grounds, for have IN my
own case received that .air play and full
justice which | have often boastcd was the
assured possession of Jerseynlen. The
cause of my defeat was very simple--a lack
If votes. Only this aud nothing more
A majority of the citizens who went to the
polls preferred another. And should be
the last one to question or impede thelr
choice. 1t is Il pleasure for me to thank
you for the uniform courtesy OF the canvass,
and to ask you you cannot say to our many
common friends, that neither publicly nor
privately did your Republican competitor,
find any fault IN you, except your Demo
crazy. | priced the honor of representing
this constituency and regret the loss OF
it; but am not without consolation III
the thought that my loss has been your
and the public gain. You and them do |
congratulate you that you have secured
this large opportunity OF serving the peo-
Pile, and them that the voice of their dis.
trict shall be as before, only more eloquent.
ly and efficiently, against those enemies OF
the Republic who would perpetuate an If
rcdeemable currency, increase the central
power, and plumber the National treasury
am, with respect and good wishes for
your success, one of your constituents.
"WM, WALTER PHELPS"
Mr. Cutler in reply acknowledges Mr..
Phelps's courteous bearing toward him
during the canvass, and says;
Il can truly say that, in looking back |
cannot recall an expression or remark that
grated harshly on my ear or lett an I'M
pleasantness in memory. You know that
the nomination was unsolicited by me, but
having been rendered to me, | accepted IT,
and remained Il candidate from convc-
ton OF duty to my constituency need
not say that success was the furtheSt
from my dreams nor did | anticipate that
any tidal wave could reach you, but now
that am elected, | am painfully consci-
Gus OF the fact that Immediately succeed
one who has secured in single Congress
ionaI term national reputation, made his
district celebrated, compelled all parties
to do homage to hi, talents, admire his ell
equence, and acknowledge his power. 1t
is said that. comparisons are odious, and
fear that ] shall often realize lis truth,
when comparisons must necessarily be
made disyantageously to myself. !
should be pleased if our Democratic jour
nails would, now that the battle is over,
acknowledge that the opposition could not
have presented candidate more for
midable than yourself. shall avail my
self of the honor, during the present WIN.
ter, of calling upon you and seeking youl
good Offices and advice in my district
State, and country, and | trust that per
sonally our friendship may prove us warn
and generous as our canvass has bee
honorable aud courteous. | doubt ii an
Congressman.elect can boast OF a-eonstit
uent more chivaric and high minde
than yourself, and know that mono ca
feel more h0noled than | do when | re
member that among my constituents
can number you Yours very trnlN
Aug ". CUTLER"