The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-04-26

The Springfield (Mass.) Republica" re-

L r
''Uulucky in more than one respect, the Demo
cratic marty Il certainly fortunate In It's governors
Tilden In New Iork, Be1le In New Jersey 'Ias 1 IN
Kentucky, Garland In Arkansas-not 70 mention
others hardly less deservingaare magistrates who
nent opponents of Democracy In congress and the
press had shown half as much good sense or done
suit year would be the 'fOregonest Of fVregone
conclusions.
The state executives named are only fair
samples Of old-fashioned, time.honored
emocracy-Democracy such as the peo-
pie had right tofeei unlimited confidence
in, aud never had occasion to regret that
confidence. That long and unchalleuged
possession of supreme power corrupted the
party and prepared the way for o not en-
tirely unmerited defeat, IL now acknowl-
edged even by its own members. Offences
brought appropriate chastisement, ana II
that chastisement was unduly severe II at
least had the happy effect OF producing
some reformation where it was sadly need |
ed. AS the tendency to reform tecame
manifest, the popular hand was gradually
lifted, and the punished party slowly rose
to its feet and assumed its former place as
an active and aggressive political organiza-
the ground it has lost depends entirely up
fittingly exempli6ed by the selection OF
those officials whose good conduct is now
the theme Of general commendation. The
slightest disposition to backslide will be
promptly reDuked by the people, who have
reached point where it Is not safe to tn
fie With them. That the Democracy Is ia |
vorably regarded by the masses IS clearly
shown by the result of recent elections, but
this favorable disposition must be encour-
aged and fixed by suitable behavior--else
il will vanish as rapidly as it came, and
with small chance of returning any more.
Much has been done already towards mer-
iting final and complete SUGGEST but much
remains to be done: and unless the bal
ance is forthcoming as soon as practicable,
an adverse Judgment will surely be render
ed in 1876. Democratic principles are.
and always have been, both sound and
safe but it is unfortunately true that
Democratic practices have not at all times
corresponded with the principles. This
should be speedily and permanently RENE
died, else the promise aud the perform
ance will be Chased in the salne category
with the abundant pledges and scanty full
filment Of the Republican party. The peO-
pie are ready and willing to change horses,
but they want to know certainly before they
shift the saddle, whether the new is likely
to be really any better than the old. Ii
they can be convinced on this vital ques
ton, ''the result next year will be, indeed
1.-THE foregonest of foregone conclusions.
Otherwise, not.
The Democratic majority in the incom
ing house of representatives have an i'm
mense responsibility in this matter. 1t is
hardly too much to say that upon their &C
ton the issues of victory and defeat de-
pend. If they exercise their suddenly &C
quired power wisely and well, the party
which elected them can scarcely fail to tri
umph in the approaching presidential cam
paign. Ifthey fritter away or misuse tha
power, the grave of the party is dug anC
the sexton is ready. Meyer we're politica
honesty and common sense more urgentl.
needed than now, and never will their alb
sence produce a more wide spread and ia
tai ruin. 1t is not the existence of part
only which is at stake: il is the life, tn
very soul of nation. Louis Republl
can,
THE ARGUS fully indorses every word {
the foregoing and takes occasion to sd
that efforts are now making to secure vote
for Sam Randall, Back Pay aud Protec
tion) for Speaker; also Fernando Woo
tBack Pay and Ring man) for the sam
high Office, and that if these efforts me-
with success, either on one of these men (
any other similar man, the recent
revived Democratic party may go into
quotation at once. THE ARGUS has N
believed in nor advocated that sort of ID
&c To- u xr,n do .
the future. 1t sees nothing gained
electing any man to office simply becau
he calls himself Democrat, To work +
and help.secure the election of so-call'
Democrat and then have him prove hir
self high protective tariffqpirate, cou
terfeit money swindler, a back pay sala
grabber, ring man more anxious to NAL
money for himself than to serve the pc
pie, is not our kind of Democracy, and
the majority in the coming congress p
such men into positions of honor and inf
ence-good bye to success in 1876; Ora
and third term will be ensured. Tt
ARGUS believes that Hon. Samuel s. Go
Of New York, is the best man for the POI
lion Of Speaker, and that the membe
from Illinois will best please their const
uents, best secure the interests of the pc
pie, best aid in defeating Grantism in 1877
by concentrating their votes upon hi
He is western man, identified with t
early history, growth and prosperity of t
west, and more nearly represents {
views Of the western people than any OF
er man likely to be prominent for I
place. And he possesses that sterli
honesty and unsel6sh devotion to the whc
country which entitle him to the con
dence and votes of our members. 1T
not the existence Of a party only tohich is
stake IL is the life, the rery soul of a a
tion."