The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-11-08
From TIM Nsl0 York Tribune,
A Proud Record.

The administration party 10 New ork
has welcomed the aid of two gangs Of
thieves, and then has been beaten, Per
haps it would be more strictly correct to
say that the criminals have accepted the
help of the Republican party. For we
can see ample reason why the canal
thieves, and other public plunderers,
should desire the defeat of ticket which
represents genuine reform; abundant rea-
son why outcasts from Tammany should
wish revenge and restoration. But we
have been unable to see any reason why an
honest and decent Republican should de-
sire the victory of the Morrissey faction
over the Kelly faction, or of the canal ring
over Gov. Tilden.
Decent Republicans have professed, and
many of them unquestionably feel, as ar
dent desire for the reform of abuses in
the state as Gov. Tilden and his friends
can cherish. This class of Republicans
thought their platform meant what it sai0.
1t was with them no base hypocrisy to
avow qualification at the achievements OF
the governor in the past and earnest pur-
pose to aid him in the future. Yet the
managers of the Republican party were
soon found in open and shameless alliance
with the canal ring, working tremendously
wherever the ring has power, for the de-
feat of the Tilden. Bigel)w ticket and the
election to the assembly of candidates who
meant anything else but reform, We can
imagine how this sweet-scented alliance
must have CALLED the better class of Re-
publicans. They are not ignorant that it
has thrown away much of the moral power
which they might have exerted in any
future movement for reform. They know
that hereafter, as they profess zeal in some
reform, their neighbors will remember how
they hired themselves to do the work of
the canal thieves, and will suspect that
once more the patriotic pretense has be-
hind it no higher motive than a desire to
win party triumph at whatever sacrifice
of public welfare. That is what Republic
ans of the canal counties have done this
year. They have advertised their willing
ness to help thieves defeat aud punish re-
formers. This beautiful thing they have
done for the sake of party success, and
then have been beaten. In all times,
scanty respect is left for those who consent
to do mean work for meaner fees, and
then allow themselves to be cheated out
of their pay, The Republican party has
taken pains to show that it is not strong
enough to win in New York, even when re-
enforced by canal thieves. Was it good
policy for the party to make this exhibition
OF its weakness, and al the same time east
this foul stain upon its record?
In this city the performances of that
party have been still more lovely. John
Morrissey went out kite,hyi and the
great Republican party thought itself
honored in being used as the tail of Nor
rissey's kite, He has been prize-6ghter,
a gambler, law-breaker, by choice and
ayocation. and leader of the toughest and
most dangerous class in a great city. With
him, in tiG communion, were associated
Oakley Hall; Wood, who regards politics
as an inferior sort of lottery; Hayes,
Shandley, and other individuals, whose
skill in using the methods by which very
foul and INSCRIPTIONS party retains its
hold upon the foulest part of the popula
ton, or, if all else fails, upon tho election
returns, has been displayed many times in
behalf of Tammany, and that in days wher
TammaDy was not trying to clean itself
This beautiful gang, having been shorn o.
power in the Democratic organization
wanted to revenge itself, and the grea
Republican party, with lofty patriotism
lent its votes to this noble end. Nor were
the methods of the campaign unworthy
the exalted character of its leaders ant
their exalted aims, MorrlsseY and hi
crew appealed to the ignorance o. laborers
pretended that one hundred Thousand
workmen in New York ought to be NOR
heavily taxed, in order that, in these har,
times, ten thousand favorites emf loved b
the city government should receive highe
wages. Every decent Republican mus
have been ashamed when he saw tn
lowest arts of the lowest demagogues EN-
ployed to win votes for Republican cand
dates; but Republican speakers, worker
and journals took lessons in politics fror
Morrissey, Hall and Wood, and feebl
echoed their appeals. Truly, an honori
bic fight and glorious victoryl In aft6
years, when an upright and God-fearin
Republican shall review on his death-be
the events of a wellspent life, doubtle.
his thoughts will linger long, and wit
sweet satisfaction, upon the proud da
when he joyfully enrolled himself as
follower and supporter Of Wood, the lottel
dealer; Hall, the unconvicted relic
Tweedism, and Morrissey the prize fghte
InIthe blissful consciousness of hayir
taken so exalted and ennobling a part
the great work of reform. he may fe
that he has not lived in vain, for, in Il
memorable year 1875, he helped job
Morrissey to punish Tammany for tryiI
to clean ITSELF