The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-02-13
PEOPLES MEETING AT HILLsDALE.
Resolutions, Speeches, Songs and Great Enthu-
siasm.

spirited meeting of the people of the up
per end of this county, and of the adjoining
towns in Henry and Whiteside, in Concert
Hall. in Hillsdale, on the Rockford, Rock
Island & St. Louis Railroad. 1t was call
ed to order by Rev. G. Machin, and organ
lied by calling L. D. Edwards, Esq, Pres
ident of the Farmers County Association,
to the chair, and appointing c. Machln,
Secretary. The chairman requested Dr.
Reiter and J. B. Danforth, Jr., to take
seats at the Secretary's table. A Grange
song-ssO the farmer the farmer forever"
was sung to the air of The Red, White
and Blue, by ladies and gentlemen, with
organ accompaniment by Mr. JOS Craven
horst, closing with chorus Three cheers
for the pillow, spade and hoe.
Henry Saddoris then made statement
in regard to the call for the meeting, by
the Farmers Club of Coe and Canoe Greek,
but said it was intended as a people meet
ing to be participated in by all who chose
to attend.
DIR. Reiter was called out and made brief
but pertinent remarks.
Hymn-air, America Come Thou who
made this Earth"
b. B. Joslin was called out and made a
fine speech Of Is or 20 minutes, eliciting
much enthusiasm. At the beginning of
this movement he expected little from it,
and was prepared TO see it turn out per
sonal scheme TO aggrandize private parties,
as most other schemes do He had doubts
as to the adhesive and organizing power of
his brother farmers. That time had pass
ed-he had no doubts now-the people
were awakening to their own interests and
determined to have their rightful voice in
governmental affairs. They had been the
tools of demagogues long enough. He
pointed with pride to Iowa, Wisconsin, Cal
ifornia and Illinois, and was sure the West
and South would follow in the great re-
forms they had begun. He was glad the
ladies had honored the meeting with their
attendance, and hoped yet to see them
casting their ballots for reform and good
government He referred sharply to the
tons practiced on the people by the old po-
ltical parties He was often loudly APP
plauded.
A. j. Osborn, of Erie, followed in a half
hour speech. He said he was known as
Finance Osborn, and then proceeded to
explain some of his theories as to money,
interest, bonds, etc. He didn't believe in
gold and silver at all-or in allowing any
interest on money. He said his views were
radical, and he didn't expect their adoption,
at present
Song and chorus-air, Bonnie Blue Flag,
Now Patrons free, OF each degree,
Who I'LL this spacious hail.
Adjourned for dinner, and Shrader's no.
tel and Hills hotel did lively business for
some time
AFTERNOON.
At l:30 P. N. the meeting reassembled
and was called to order by the chairman
Song-We will rally round the Grange,
rally once again.
Shouting the farmers cry of freedom.
Hearty applause.
Mr.. Feaster, addressing the chair, said
that one year ago he had asked J. B. Dan
forth, Jr., in that hall if he was in sympa-
thy with the farmers movement. He
(Mr. ID. then answered the question pub
hcly. He now recalled with satisfaction
the scene which then occurred, and want
ed to hear still further from him.
Mr.. d. made brief remarks declaring
his entire emancipation from party dicta-
ton, party drill or party caucus; that his hap
piest year of editorial life was the past
when free to cenSure or approve as his
Judgment dictated that THE ARGUS was
hencefOrth an independent newspaper, and
would try hard to serve the people and
advocate measures which it believed to be
for the greatest good of the greatest mum
Der After brief reference to few topics
Of absorbing interest he declined to speak
further for he wished Mr. Smith to have
ample time and a good wind-up of the
meeting.
Mr. Machin, from the committee on res.
olutions reported the following which were
unanimously adopted:
We, 1.-THE people, representing portion Of
Rock Island county, in mass meeting as
sembled, would hereby and herein give ut
terance to and place upon record the fol-
lowing resolutions as our sentiments:
ResoIUed, That the interests of labor
underlie and are paramount to all others,
and that the welfare Of people very much
depends upon Just representation of the
interests involved
Resoyued, That labor has not been and is
not now duly represented, and to this is
owing many Of the wrongs under which we
are suffering
ResoIred, That the actual condition of
things imperatively demand of us to take
our position among the forces that are
working in our country, and make labor the
controlling power it should and of right
ought to be-
Resolved, That the preservation of our
national life imperatively demands that
every citizen shall attend with care all pri-
mary nominations and elections. so as to en-
sure the election of competent and honest
men TO all offices in the gift of the people.
Res0tUed, That we pledge ourselves to
the immediate reform Of abuses in the
civil service through which the patronage
OF the government is dispensed as areward
for partisan service rather than with re-
gard to the public necessities
ResotCeCt, That we hold that our patent
laws are too often made to subserve the in
terests of monopolists and should be care
fully revised and restricted
ReSOlUed, That the rights of all are
qual,-politically, socially, educationally,
and industrially, we insist that no
privileged class and no privileged capital
shall exist in the land
Resolved, That we favor the system of
graduated taxation, to be levied directly by
each State on the people of the State, for
all taxes, State and National
Believing that the interests of all men
are mutual and interchangeable, as the
millionaire and employer of to day may be
the pauper or laborer of tomorrow, and
Uice Uersd, we appeal to all persons, without
regard to race, creed or condition, to upite
with us on the broad basis of equality and
justice, and we invite all organizations to
Al