The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-11-06
The German Vote.

The exertions of Mr.. SCHURz in the
recent campaign in Ohio, and the admitted
influence of the German vote in giving that
state to the Republicans, as in 1873 and
1874 it gave it to the Democrats should
recall to their senses those Democrats
west who think leniency and compromise
the true way to deal with their rag-money
brawlers. The German vote decides the
political complexion OF at least three impor-
tant states hitherto Republican-Oh
Illinois and Wisconsin, and exerts power
full influence on Missouri, Iowa and Neb-
braska. Massed at Cincinnati, Chicago,
Milwaukee and st. Louis, the Germans can
make their votes tell conspicuously--for
ten thousand votes changed in one state
and county effect more than the same num-
Der of votes scattered through hundred
counties in half dozen different states.
And this, even without taking into consid-
Grafton the opportunities presented by this
Capitalization and consolidation for success
full work and counsel, advantages which
the Prohibitionists, labor reformers and
friends OF woman SUFFRAGE lack so conspic-
uously. But the German vote has the fur
Their advantage OF perfect trustworthinesS
Given platform or q nomination, and any
political expert can decide at once how it
will be received by the Germans, and that
generally-without local or party consider
ations. 1t is the common but egregious
error OF IMMERSED observers to regard this
as the result of the personal ascendancy Of
certain leaders and the clannish subservien-
cy OF the masses, and the jest of the Ger
man vote and its proprietor's "breeches-
pocket is constantly in active service in
national and local politics. Mr.. Schurz, for
instance, could not in 1872 bring the Ger
man vote of Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin
oyer to Greeley, nor did his immediate
constituents of Missouri follow him. In
1873, however, the German Liberals of
Wisconsin, uniting with the Democrats,
elected Taylor, and in Ohio q similar union
made possible in the reelection of Senator
Thurman. In 1872 the Germans of Him
OILS overthrow the Republicans; in Ohio
they contributed materially to the triumph
Of the Democracy; in Missouri, where Mr..
Schurz quilted the Liberal alliance through
a fatal error, he quilted it without follow
ing. Even without his mastery speeches
during the Ohio campaign, we are convin-
ced that the German vote of that state
would have been cast solidly against rag
money. This fact to which we have at
tached so much weight, is due to natural
causes, principally to the high average off,
telligence and education among our Ger
man population. They are all accustomed
to follow and discuss public events, and
having little passion or prejudice are ex-
ceedingly apt to arrive at the same concu-
sioE. which is also very likely to be sound
one. And yet again they are with hardly
an exception property holders, fact which
lmDlles a conservative tendency All
these reasons combined exert everywhere
the same powerful influence, and render it
easy to predict how this part of our voting
population will inevitably regard any plat
form or receive any nomination.
Of right the Germans should be the nat
ual allies of the Democrats. Like us they
hold to a sound currency and are amply
convinced of the disasters that accrue from
an irredeemable medium. They are at one
with the Democracy in opposing all tenden-