The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-07-13
FOURTH OF JULY GRAFTON.
BY Hon. SamI. 8. Coz ofNew York,

M Ju6 CoIcUkduOu VI tnO GOuLIu VI
July in New York City, Hon 8, s. Cox
delivered the following admirable Grafton
GENTLEMEN: Home rule is my theme
1t is suggestive Of many lessons in liberty
and administration. Have we so far de-
parted from the object and nature of gov
eminent that we should recur to the al
phabet of political morality? Why is this
theme selected for me and for this day
and in this metropolis? Because, first,
our traditions as a society grow out of its
revolutionary vindication; second, because
this day can only be hallowed by yestal
vigilance oyer our local rule; and, third,
because this city has been too often the
theatre for its disparagement and abuse.
Home rule is comprehensive term. Phil
osophy and history contribute to its illus
tration. Both hemispheres have been
the scene of its rise and fall. All systems
in all eras and lands teach its meaning
the Oriental and patriarchal relations, as
we'll as the tribal relations among our
Indians; the relation of conauerer and
conquered, as of France to Algeria, Eng
land to India and Ireland, Spain to Mi
norca and Cuba, Turkey to Egypt, Aus
tria to Hungary, Russia to Poland, Ger
many to the free towns, the Principalties
and to Alsace and Lorraine; also, the re-
lations of federation as the Netherlands to
its provinces, Switzerland to its cantons,
Italy to its isles and cities, and our coun-
try to its constituent states and territories.
Within each country and its divisions and
local magistracy-and Notwithstanding all
changes in boundaries, dynasties and
forms, local rule shines like modest sill
very star. Imperial Rome and the en-
pire Of Charlemagne failed because of its
decadence. The dark ages and the feudal
system were fringed with its luminous
edges. Just in proportion as it leavened
the elements OF government was there
well-being. Liberty received from it aid
and inspiration. Without it aristocracy
became selfish and monarchy absolute.
Without it races became proscriptive, dem
ocracy mob and its leaders despoilers of
civilization. Without it all forms and
means of governing run finally into
excess andlthen into anarchy, into massa-
ere, fire, pillage, petroleuse-ism and van
dalism. Is this too large statement
Do you want examples? Read the griev.
ances in the Declaration of Independence
the long list of atrocities upon Ireland
the royal imperialistic and communistic
debaucheries and fury Of France, and the
treachery and tyranny imposed since the
war upon our southern states. Ponder
upon the injuries to this metropolis by
legislative venality and corrupt commits
sions inflicted in defiance of local liberty
HAPPINESS AND LIBERTY.
There are two objects which philosophiC
writer's maintain to be the highest objects
of government-happiness and liberty. tt
secure the general welfare is the utili
tartan philosophy. 1t is fixed in our con
stitution. 1t is championed by such think
ers as Jeremy Bentham and John Stuar
Mill. 1t is splendid, if not the only, ain
of craftsmanship. 1t is the true economy
for like economy, literally, it is the law o
the household. But is happiness incom
patible with liberty? One has the sane
ton Of human codes whence cometh tn
other, if not from higher source? Lib
erty may be an abstract phrase, but it is
mode of achieving the greatest happines
of the greatest number, or the creates
general amount of happiness. Is libert
only poetic fable, beautiful but col
marble, vitalized by some poetical pyg
maion2 Is it, as Mr.. Bryant writes. -
fair young girl, with light and delicat
limbs and wavy tressesY" Or is it tn
bearded man, one mailed hand upholdin
the shield which protects order and tn
other welding the magisterial sworC
which, though Scared with tokens of oil
wars" makes happiness secure? A
fair properties depend upon this rOug
champion. Welfare is the fruit, libert
the flower; and home rule like the orane
tree, bears both fruit and flower at tn
same timel Our Declaration of Ind
pendence and the constitution, which W;
achieved through its principles of RICH
are proclamations-the one of liberty an
with aspiration and dignity, the other a
sured content and prosperity. Whenev,
they are divorced, the ''home" is RUNE
and its rule" dethroned Home rul,
Is it merely partisan Shibboleth, pla
form plank? Does it only belong to Il
Irish patriot and the American Democrat
Are happiness and order, law and S
curity, liberty and patriotism, menaced
this land by its divorce and dethronement
WHAT HOME Is.
But what can make palmer my then
than the monosyllables, home rule? "
know what home is. There is mo pla
like" it. Sometimes that is too equivoca
ly true, as recent revelations show. b
around it cluster all that makes life hapI
and holy. 1t is the fountain Of peace an
the pillow Of rest from the cares of lif
AS it degenerates in discipline it tax,
hold on hell, but as it approaches perfe
ton we draw nearer unto Paradise. The
are some of you who do not know it yet
either aspect. Young men, there is r
lation too tender to be debated to patriot
music. You must learn to WOO it
moonlight, with the lutte and the madriga
Then home rule may become not merel
the expression of fathers restraint or
mothers love. 1t will not recall mere
the sisters sweetness or the brother
trust. Young men, Tammany braves, yo
have seen how many braves you have see
how many years your grand sachem (M
SchelD has lost and how much he has in
proved lately Go thou and be like unit
himl Get married! Study home in il
enchanting allurements, and the rule
imposed will be like garlands of flower
DO not become too enamored of it! Do N
seek it after the Mormon method; for the
the state of matrimoDy is quite up to IL
radical standard of other Earring states.
In so far as we depart from home rul
even when proper and necessary in Fee
eral way upon external matters an
among the states we lose much of that
ACCOUNTABILITY.
without which man is most unacountab
rogue and ruf6an, We have large l.
of ice called Alaska. Mr.. Seward took
of the hands of the Car. Our Office
there are confessedly irresponsible, al
thus had-had nrecisely In nrnnnrtlnn