The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-09-16
'The 99ailg Arg,ts.
From the New YORK Tribune. -
Vice President Wilson's Letter.


Vice-President Wilson, in letter to a.
member of the Republican state commit
tee of Massachusetts, repeats the same
advice to the party of which he has long
been an honored leader that he gavein his
letter to the Boston Advertiser last June.
He coniesses that he regards the position
and prospects of the Republican party
with profound solicitude. He believes
that it cannot regain its lost position ex-
eept by4a courageous reform of abuses,
prompt removal of uDfaithful or incempet-
ent officials, aud wide opening of its doors
to take back those who once belonged to
Its ranks and who, for cause or without
cause, have left it." The welcome of
these returning prodigals should be prompt
and cordial. The party should 60 out to
meet them. Surely the hour has come
for all Massachusetts Republicans to tor
give, forget, and unite s-
Mr.. Wilson's honest and kindly feelings
and patriotic purposes do great credit to
his heart, but we think he does not under
stand the situation. He certainly does
not understand the position of the indepen-
dent voters, who have refused to act with
the Republican party. not because they are
dissatisfied with the distribution of offices
or have any personal grievance, but be-
cause they have been the party committed
to the perpetuation of abuses that threaten
| the ruin of the country. They have no
idea of returning in the character OF penit-
ent prodigals. They are not hanging
around the door of the administration
ready to rush in as soon as it is opened.
When Mr.. Wilson advises his friends to
forgive, forget. and unite, we ask on our
part what is the offeDse which they are to
take the liberty of forglving, and what they
wish TO forget Imagine Gen. Butler, Boss
Shepherd, Secretary Delano. Gen. Bah
cock, Thomas Murphy, and Detective Hes.
ter standing at the gates of President
Grants corral and saying to the friends OF
Lincoln, Sumner, Chase, and Greeley:
Here, youmen may come back, but you
must not make any more disturbance"
MIR. Wilson is quite right in advising his
friends to displace the corrupt and wrong
headed leaders who have brought the party
into such difficulties, and it will be a good
plan to "open the doors" very wide indeed
so that the great multitude of these people
can get out quietly and quickly without
doing any unnecessary damage. But it is
not worth while to talk about Opening
the doors" for any other purpose. A poll
teal party is not church from which 6
member can he eXcommunieated for heresy
or insubordination. There is no authority
either to expel or admit. Whenever the
Republican party makes better platform
than its opponent, dominates better
ticket, and holds out more reasonable
prospect of reform, those who left it thres
years ago will vote with it again, asking
nobody's leave, and not caring a penny
whether the politicians who make living
by holding Office and running convention
are pleased with their company or not
The independent voter does not want ofic,
does not want recognition" does no
want forgiveness, and certainly does no
propose to shake hands and make it al
up He demands sound platform an
a reformed Administration, and he will e
wherever he thinks he is most likely t
get them.