The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-05-01
Ghe S9ailg Arens.
Continued from second maze !

iui at tHlS timet W ny mas tnere been,
as it is said by our opponents, less of tina,
frivolousness of spirit that is sometimes
shown upon such occasions 1t is because
We all come together at this tune. made
earnest ard thoughtful by the condition Of
the country, and by the great problems
we have got to deal with. We hear it fire.
quently said that this is day of devel.
opment, that we are discovering, now.
from time to time, great malfeasance on
the part of the different depart-
men,s of the government. When we lave
been in power, aud wherever we have been
in power, we have come to look at these
developments and these exposures as af
tording hope that we are to have a bet
ter future. 1t is not merely the develop
ment of fraud and wrong doing. We have
known these things for ten years. 1t is
not that there has been something discoy
cred that was covered before. 1t is because
for the last ten years the American people
did not care to hear the proofs of wrong
doing. 1t means that all of US have been
stultiEed by greed for gold. by unhealthy
speculation, by desire to AVOID honest
labor, and have forgotten the great princi-
pies that lie at the foundation of all good
government, and that the tine has con. e
for US to cultivate the virtues of simplicity,
honesty, economy and patriotism. 1t is
that that makes people; not political
patronage. but the going back to the sim
pie virtues OF our forefathers. applause. J
The development which gives me the hope
which animates me as speak is devel-
opment that the American people have
had the scales fall from their eyes-their
ewes are opened, and we are now to have
renewal of integrity, patriotism and virtue
before which fraud and corruption will fade
out of sight (Applause. The deyelen-
ment is that which see before me in the
faces OF this audience, that laying all aside
has come together to-day in a thoughtful.
earnest spirit to save our country and to
make 1t great and glorious commonwealth.
Perhaps it is not profitable that we
should dwell too much upon the exposures
that have been made upon the part Of our
political opponents While it is our duty
to expose wrong, whether committed by
our own friends or by those from whom We
!itfer. and while | respect the labors of
those who have been engaged in such de-
we are to take care that we do
lot fall into another error This great
Democratic party does not propose to re-
gain power simply because it's opponents
are unworthy, but because we are fit to
exercise it. (Applause.) We mean, in
common with them, to punish all WRONG
ioers, and we invoke them to 90 with us in
his effort; but We propose to enter into a
contest of a higher and more cIorious
character still, and we say to our political
opponents, We will forget the past if Won
will only join with us in the great issue
hat we make now-which party shall
rave the highest aim? Which party shall |
tand upon the highest plane of patriot |
SIN? Which party shall outstep the
'ther IN the great and noble effort to re-
tore, to stand UP aud make our country
'lorious? tApplausel
Now, what is it brings this audience here |
o-day! Why Is 1t that men who have not
ways attended our conventions have left |
heir homes and have come here on an oc-
aston when there are not the ordinary in
uences at work? We are not now about
o elect a ticket. We do not have, as we
have at our conventions, choice
1 men to put into offices of honor and |
# Jht. Men are not here seeking positions
4 honor. You come here for a purpose
lgher, broader and more general
han this, and | think can
peak for each one Of you when | say that
on were impelled to leave your homes be-
ause you felt that there was a condition
t public affairs which made it your duty
S good citizens to come out upon this
ccasion. (Appianse.
| am proud of the state to which T be-
ong. | am proud as New Yorker tina,
his state led the whole column of Demo
ratio attack upon wrong doing and corrun-
on, whether the blow fell upon friends
enemies. (Applause) | am proud
hat the governor ct our state stands as
he foremost champion Of this spirit of
etcrm. We do not hear to day the ordi
airy considerations which are advanced in
egard TO candidates The question is no
niger question OF popularity or unpeDu-
lrity. That which is on the mind Of
very man before me is this: When I 90
own to the next contest can [ saw of NV
He has done work for re-
'rm, and represent more than a maa
represent the principle Of honesty
Applause. We throw out this challenge
} the Republican party: I'VE intend so
If as we can TO lay bare all that has been
enc wrong 10 our own ranks. We expect
on to unite with u.s. believe that the
.epublican party, in its make up in the
reat body OF Its organization, j. ~ honest
5 our own, tut its memb ers 1--we held
that have proved. more strongly
nan the wisdom Of our fathers could have
roved II, that that government has out
.epped its limits; that that government
hich, from great central point, under
likes to Interfere with local affairs; that that
overnment which opens the door of the
'eaSury to 10000 schemes Of fraud cam
survive.
In conclusion, | say once more to the
emocratic party and to our Republican,
lends, We propose to enter into this con
st, not tor the purpose of showing which
arty is the most ignoble, not merely for
lie purpose of bringing discredit upon
lem, not with the view of gaining vic
Try because they have zone wrong-I
,orn such a victory on the part of the
EN- ocratic party but we intend TO win
Us victory because we mean to show that
c are more lit to hold power; we
ave the better claim, not because YOU are
bad, but because we have the positive {
rtues to enable US to carry on this gov
'nment aud until we do show that, [, for
De, pray to God that We may never come
Ito power, Ii is because | believe that /,
Nv we nave this revival Of public morality
I'D this refreshing of the purer sentiments
the people, and an enlarged intelligence
18th regard to the evils of bad government.
at | stand before you at this moment.
loyed up with the conviction that for