The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-08-28

Mr.. Hewitt had with Mr. Kasson (Iowa)
Mr.. Hewitt said that Kasson's speech was
the meanest speech he had ever heard
from a white man, and that he (Hewitt)
intended only, when he rose. to answer
the charge that Governor Tilden was dis
loyal during the war. He said after he
got the floor he could not help saying what
he did say, and he was now sorry that he
did not say more He picked out his
words deliberately, and intended to skin
Kasson If he could. Mr.. Hewitt said that
if Hayes were elected the administration
machine would be run the same as at
present and for the furtherance of per.
sonai ends. The republic could not last
four years longer with the same rule that
it had for the past eight years. 1t
was not a government of justice, but a
government of personal favors. No man
could get anything because he was entitled
to it by right, but as a personal favor.
No such thing as personal favor should
exist in free government. The rights
Of every man should be defined by Law, and
judges aud officers should be instructed to
enforce the law without any regard to
personal favor. One-third of the revenues
collected were wasted because of the policy
Of personal favor. If men could not be
found for office holding who would not
only refuse favors but try to prevent the
appropriation of public property to private
uses, the government must go under
Mr.. Hewitt said that there was no royal
road for young men in the city of New
York to place and power unless they
bowed down and served somebody. He
hoped that the young men before him
would now bow down and serve anybody
| (Applause) He spoke of Governor Til
den as a sagacious and successful man Of
business, as the wisest man he bad ever
known, and as honest as any man he had
ever known, and as patriotic a man as
ever breathed the breath of life. I'M
mense applause.
Mr.. Hewitt then read the following let
ter from Judge j. d. Cation, a personal
and intimate friend of Abraham Lincoln
and chief justice Of Illinois during the war
| 'Hon. A. s. Hewitt.
DEAR SIR: l was much interested in reading
your speech In reply to Mr. Kasson, in vindicating
the truth of history and wish to aod my testimony
by saying that during the war of the rebellion haC
subject Of the prospects OF the war; and found
him ardent and earnest in its support. Thus know
ing his continents, on one occasion called upoT
him at his residence in Gramercy square, and sub
had written, the object of which was to induce ev
cry citizen and especially every Democrat to sup
port the with heart and soul The paper met
his cordial approval and in the course of the inter
view he showed, in thai clear and earnest way pc
culiar to himself, that it was the paramount duty
| OF every one, whether Democrat or Republican, Il
stand by his country and the Union. While thI
fire raging IL was no time TO stop and dispute
as to who kindled it. If have not known Mr. Til
den as long and as intimately as did Mr.. Lincoln
think certainly know his sentiments on the sub
ject of the late war; and there would be mucl
propriety In saying that Mr.. Lincoln anti
| War Republican as that Samuel j. Tilden was al
antiWar Democrat. Yours truly,
u. D, CATION
"0ttawa, Ill, August is, 1876"
! The reading Of the letter called Cortl
great applause, and MIR. Hewitt said il
conclusion that the salvation OF the countr!
: depended upon change Of administration
and that long-continued power would cor
! rupt any party.
The meeting then adjourned with tire,
cheers for Mr.. Hewitt and the St. Loui.
nominations.